Civil War

This Week in the Civil War

00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 784

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published March 11, 2014 at 3:55 PM CDT

On March 12, 1864 the Union War Department announced major changes in the Union command structure. General Henry Halleck, at his request, was named to a subordinate Union staff position, while Ulysses Grant assumed the general in chief of all armies post.

In addition, General Sherman was assigned as overall Union commander in the West, while General J.B. McPherson replaced Sherman as head of the Department of the Tennessee. Halleck had once been Grant’s superior officer and could not administratively remain over Grant, if Grant was to lead the Union army to victory.

And, William Tecumseh Sherman was a close friend and confidant to Ulysses Grant. Sherman had to be placed in a position where he could work for and in conjunction with Grant on the proposed Anaconda Plan.