Fort Sumter came under heavy bombardment once more, and southerners worried that the loss of Charleston would destroy the Confederacy. President Abraham Lincoln delivered an historic address at the dedication of a national cemetery. Federals threatened eastern Texas once more. Knoxville fell under Confederate siege, and the long awaited battle for Chattanooga took place.
No Chance to Ourselves of Great Results
Just as the “cracker line” begins resupplying the hungry Federal forces besieged in Chattanooga, Braxton Bragg weakens his Confederate army by sending part of it to eastern Tennessee.
Inviting Those Highest in Authority
President Abraham Lincoln receives an invitation to make a “few appropriate remarks” at the dedication of the new Gettysburg National Cemetery.
The 1863 Confederate Elections
Elections are held throughout the South that result in victories by more candidates openly opposed to President Jefferson Davis than ever before.
Braxton Bragg weakens his Confederate army outside Chattanooga and Ulysses S. Grant looks to mobilize his Federal forces to capitalize on the weakness.
Anxious to Bring Matters to Termination
George G. Meade’s Federal Army of the Potomac begins mobilizing to cross the Rappahannock River and face Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
An engagement occurs as part of William W. Averell’s Federal raid on Confederate supply lines in West Virginia.
The Rappahannock Station Engagement
Elements of the Federal Army of the Potomac try crossing the Rappahannock River, while Robert E. Lee’s Confederates are determined to stop them.
The Postponement of a Question to be Decided
Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia returns to the south side of the Rapidan River, settling into the defensive positions they had left when they began moving against the Federals in October.
Federal batteries open a new bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort had already been reduced to rubble by this time, but the defenders still refuse to surrender.
Confederate Forces Split in East Tennessee
Braxton Bragg continues to reconfigure his weakened Confederate army outside Chattanooga, while Ulysses S. Grant continues gathering Federal reinforcements to break out of Chattanooga.
Preparations for Attacking the Enemy’s Position
Ulysses S. Grant consults with his commanders and formulates a plan to break his Federals out of Chattanooga.
The Campbell’s Station Engagement
Elements of James Longstreet’s Confederate corps and Ambrose E. Burnside’s Federal Army of the Ohio clash as both forces race to get to Knoxville first.
James Longstreet expects to renew the fight at Campbell’s Station, but Ambrose E. Burnside’s Federals fall back to Knoxville.
President Abraham Lincoln boards a special train to attend the dedication of the new Gettysburg National Cemetery.
The Dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery
President Abraham Lincoln makes a “few appropriate remarks” during the dedication of the new Gettysburg National Cemetery.
A Plan Promising Brilliant Success
George G. Meade, after learning that his Federal Army of the Potomac heavily outnumbers Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, looks to launch another offensive in northern Virginia.
From Henry Curtis, 37th Illinois
Letter from Lt. Henry Curtis of the 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Ulysses S. Grant prepares to fight his way out of Chattanooga as Braxton Bragg sends more of his Confederate Army of Tennessee away.
The Battle of Chattanooga: Orchard Knob
Ulysses S. Grant begins efforts to break his Federals out of Chattanooga by assaulting forward Confederate positions at the base of Missionary Ridge.
The Battle of Chattanooga: Lookout Mountain
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals continue their efforts to fight their way out of Chattanooga, including scaling the formidable Lookout Mountain and securing their fragile supply line once and for all.
The Battle of Chattanooga: Missionary Ridge
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals finally break the siege of Chattanooga and nearly break Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army of Tennessee in the process.
The Battle of Chattanooga: Aftermath
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federal victory at Chattanooga opens Georgia to invasion and leads to a command change in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.
Northern Virginia: Federals Approach Mine Run
George G. Meade tries launching one more offensive before winter, leading his Federal Army of the Potomac against General Robert E. Lee’s formidable Confederate defenses along Mine Run in Virginia.
James Longstreet’s tentative Confederate siege of Knoxville climaxes with an assault on the nearly impregnable Federal defenses, while a Federal force is on its way to reinforce the Knoxville defenders.
Nathaniel P. Banks embarks on a campaign to conquer eastern Texas by seizing control of the Rio Grande River and the Texas coast.
Last Updated: 12/9/2023