This Day in History Archives - Civil War and American History

September 21, 2024

1863 – CSA Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin Helm Mortally Wounded

Benjamin Hardin Helm (June 2, 1831 – September 21, 1863) was an American politician, attorney, and Confederate brigadier general. A son of Kentucky governor John L. Helm, he was born in Bardstown, Kentucky. He attended the Kentucky Military Institute and the West Point Military Academy and then studied law at the University of Louisville and Harvard University. He served as a state legislator and the […]

September 21, 2024

This Day in History

1863 – CSA Brig. Gen. John Caldwell Calhoun Sanders Mortally Wounded

John Caldwell Calhoun Sanders (April 4, 1840 – August 21, 1864) was one of the Confederate States Army’s youngest brigadier generals during the American Civil War (Civil War). He was killed in the Battle of Globe Tavern along the Weldon Railroad during the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia on August 21, 1864.

September 20, 2024

This Day in History

1863 – USA Brigadier General William Haines Lytle Mortally Wounded

William Haines Lytle (November 2, 1826 – September 20, 1863) was a politician in Ohio, renowned poet, and military officer in the United States Army during both the Mexican–American War and American Civil War, killed in action as a brigadier general.

September 20, 2024

This Day in History

1863 – CSA Brigadier General James Deshler Mortally Wounded

James Deshler (February 18, 1833 – September 20, 1863) was a career United States Army officer and a graduate of West Point who later joined the Confederate States Army. During the American Civil War he fought at Cheat Mountain, Camp Allegheny, Arkansas Post, and Chickamauga. He was appointed a Confederate […]

September 18, 2024

This Day in History

1862 – The Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg

Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, USA, and Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, fighting the deadliest one day battle on Sep 17, with over 22,000 casualties, at sites including the East Woods, West Woods, the Cornfield, the Bloody Lane, the Dunkard Church, Burnside’s Bridge, Mumma’s farm, near the Piper Farmhouse, etc. […]

September 16, 2024

This Day in History

1861, Lincoln issues Proclamation 86 – Prohibiting Commercial Trade with States in Rebellion

By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Whereas on the 15th day of April, 1861, the President of the United States, in view of an insurrection against the laws, Constitution, and Government of the United States which had broken out within the States of South Carolina, […]

September 13, 2024

This Day in History

Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Special Order No. 191

Robert E. Lee issued Special Order 191 during the Maryland campaign, before the Battle of Antietam. A copy of the order having been lost, was recovered by Union soldiers of the 27th Indiana on the Best Farm in Maryland. The order provided the Union Army with valuable information concerning the […]