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 - 743

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published January 13, 2014 at 3:42 PM CST

On Wednesday, January 13, 1864 both presidents in the North and South communicated with their subordinates in the field but with messages that greatly differed in tone.

While southern President Jefferson Davis warned General Joseph E. Johnston at Dalton, Georgia of the detrimental dangers of retreating, noting “I trust you will not deem it necessary to adopt such a measure,” Abraham Lincoln was sending instructions to General Nathaniel Banks at New Orleans to “proceed with all possible dispatch” in the construction of a free state government for Louisiana.

Likewise, Lincoln also urged Union Major General Quincy Gilmore to cooperate in reconstructing a government in Florida loyal to the United States. While Davis too often feared the future, the more pragmatic and optimistic Abraham Lincoln was more than ready to embrace it.