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 - 598

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published June 24, 2013 at 12:51 PM CDT

The Union Army of the Cumberland, commanded by General William Rosecrans, advanced from Murfreesboro, Tennessee in a series of strategic maneuvers against Confederate forces at Tullahoma, commanded by General Braxton Bragg.

For weeks the War Department, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, and President Lincoln had urged Rosecrans to take to the field. Lincoln had written Rosecrans, pleading “I would not push you to any rashness, but I am very anxious that you do your utmost…. to keep Bragg from getting lost to help Johnston against Grant."

The obvious concern was that Rosecrans’ continuing inactivity would allow Bragg’s Confederates the opportunity to move against Grant’s army which besieged Vicksburg. For the rest of June, Rosecrans outflanked Bragg, forcing Tennessee Confederates to respond defensively and further isolate the Confederates at besieged Vicksburg.