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 - 505

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published February 13, 2013 at 12:35 PM CST

On February 13, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln took time off from the Civil War to host a wedding reception at the Executive Mansion for the entertainer Tom Thumb and his new bride, Lavinia Warren.

Born as Charles Sherwood Stratton on January 3, 1838, Tom Thumb stopped growing normally at 6 months of age. As an adult, he stood at around 2 1/2 feet. Discovered by distant relative P.T. Barnum, Thumb was taught to sing, dance, mime and impersonate famous people, including Napoleon Bonaparte.

He toured Europe throughout the 1840s and became an international sensation. He even appeared before the British Royal Family. Thumb’s February 10, 1863 wedding to Warren, who stood at identical height, had been a front page affair in New York attended by over 2,000 well wishers.