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 - 417

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published October 12, 2012 at 1:25 PM CDT

The Confederate War Department on Friday, October 10, 1862 ordered Major General John B. Magruder to command the Confederate District of Texas. Magruder’s reassignment to the western theatre of war was the result of his lackluster performance during the Seven Days Battle for Richmond.

Earlier in McClellan’s drive against Richmond, Magruder had performed admirably at Yorktown, delaying Union forces for a month through a series of brilliant ruses and buying Lee time to strengthen Richmond’s defenses. At Malvern Hill, Magruder led an uncoordinated assault that suffered considerable losses while making no headway. After the battle, Lee replaced those he thought were ineffective commanders, including Magruder who would soon rehabilitate opinions by retaking Galveston for the Confederacy in early January 1863.