What Happened in 1863

Buffalo Bill enlists with the Seventh Kansas Calvary

After his mother recovered Cody wished to enlist as a soldier, but was refused for his age. He began working with a United States freight caravan... Read more

Abraham Lincoln Presents Final Draft of the Emancipation Proclamation

In the Second Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln also formally recognised the right of black men to enlist in the army, and shortly afterwards the... Read more

Second Battle of Galveston

Description: Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder, who became the Confederate commander of military forces in Texas on November 29, 1862, gave the recapture... Read more

Second Battle of Springfield

The Second Battle of Springfield was a battle in the American Civil War fought January 8, 1863, in Springfield, Missouri. It is sometimes known as... Read more

Battle of Fort Hindman - Army of the Mississippi Advance on Arkansas Post

The Battle of Arkansas Post, also known as the Battle of Fort Hindman, was a Civil War battle fought January 9–11, 1863, as Union troops under... Read more

Douglass Becomes Recruiter for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry

Douglass becomes a recruiter for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the first regiment of African-American soldiers; his sons Lewis and Charles join... Read more

Battle of Dover

Description: Under orders, in late January 1863, Confederate Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, commanding two brigades of cavalry, had taken position on... Read more

Sinking of HMS Orpheus

Orpheus left Sydney, Australia, on 31 January 1863. Her approach to Manukau Harbour on 7 February ran near Whatipu beach, through a series of... Read more

Arizona Becomes Its a Recognized Territory

Arizona, formerly part of the Territory of New Mexico, was organized as a separate territory on February 24, 1863. The U.S. acquired the region... Read more

Lincoln Signs An Act Creating The Idaho Territory

On March 4, 1863, President Lincoln signed an act creating Idaho Territory. (While the bill was passed on March 3, the enrolled bill was not signed... Read more

Battle of Thompson's Station

Description: In a period of relative inactivity following the Battle of Stones River, a reinforced Union infantry brigade, under Col. John Coburn,... Read more

Ex Parte Milligan

Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866), was a United States Supreme Court case that ruled that the application of military tribunals to citizens when... Read more

Battle of Fort Anderson

Description: Lt. Gen. James Longstreet took charge of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina on February 25 and initiated his Tidewater... Read more

Battle at Kelly's Ford

Description: Kelly’s Ford was one of the early larger scale cavalry fights in Virginia that set the stage for Brandy Station and cavalry actions of... Read more

Battle of Vaught's Hill

Description: During the inactivity following the Battle of Stones River, a Union brigade-sized reconnaissance force, under Col. Albert S. Hall,... Read more

Battle of Brentwood

Description: Union Lt. Col. Edward Bloodgood held Brentwood, a station on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad, with 400 men on the morning of March... Read more

Battle of Washington, NC

Description: While Longstreet operated against Suffolk, D.H. Hill’s column moved against the Federal garrison of Washington, North Carolina. By... Read more

First Battle of Charleston Harbor

The First Battle of Charleston Harbor was an engagement near Charleston, South Carolina that took place April 7 1863, during the American Civil... Read more

First Battle of Franklin

Description: The 1863 engagement at Franklin was a reconnaissance in force by Confederate cavalry leader Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn coupled with an... Read more

Siege of Suffolk

The Siege of Suffolk was fought around Suffolk, Virginia, from April 11 to May 4, 1863, during the American Civil War. Background In 1863 Lt.... Read more

Battle of Fort Bisland

Other Names: Battery Gregg, Fort Wagner, Morris Island, Fort Sumter Location: Charleston County Campaign: Operations against Defenses of... Read more

Battle of Suffolk

Description: In cooperation with D.H. Hill’s advance on Washington, North Carolina, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet with Hood’s and Pickett’s divisions... Read more

Battle of Irish Bend

Other Names: Second Assault, Morris Island Location: City of Charleston Campaign: Operations against Defenses of Charleston... Read more

Battle of Vermillion Bayou

Other Names: None Location: Lafayette Parish Campaign: Operations in West Louisiana (1863) Date(s): April 17, 1863 Principal... Read more

Battle of Suffolk (Hill's Point)

Other Names: Fort Huger, Hill’s Point Location: Suffolk Campaign: Longstreet’s Tidewater Operations (February-May 1863) Date(s): April... Read more