On Thursday, June 30, 1864 United States Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, a man who had long dreamed of becoming president and one who was supported by many Radical Republicans, offered his resignation to Abraham Lincoln. It was not the first time Chase had offered to resign; this time Lincoln accepted, noting that “You and I have reached a point of mutual embarrassment in our official relation which it seems can not be overcome…” Chase appeared stunned by Lincoln’s decision, but Lincoln finally had enough of Chase’s political aspirations. The following day Lincoln appointed Maine Senator William Pitt Fessenden as the next treasury secretary. Just six months later Lincoln would surprise many by nominating Salmon Chase to become the next Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
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.