In November 1864 there would be a presidential election in the American North, and Lincoln’s emancipation policies and his lack of vindictiveness against the South caused many to oppose his re-nomination. On May 31, 1864 at Cleveland, Ohio, a dissident group of Radical Republicans met and nominated General John C. Fremont for President and General John Cochrane of New York for Vice-President. On the other end of the political spectrum, Peace Democrats also attacked Lincoln and urged negotiation to end the Civil War. With the Union party of Republicans and War Democrats preparing to meet in Baltimore to re-nominate Lincoln, no one could be sure who would prevail in November. More than any other measure, Union triumph or failure on the battlefield would most probably determine the November election outcome.
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.