Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
The war threatens to divide the Native American tribes just as it divides North and South, with Unionist Natives fleeing toward Kansas and Confederate allies of the Five Civilized Tribes in pursuit.
News of the capture of Confederate envoys James Mason and John Slidell spreads throughout America and is met with mixed reactions in North and South.
Abraham Lincoln calls upon new General-in-Chief George B. McClellan, who refuses to see him. This symbolizes the evolving relationship between Lincoln and McClellan.
Jefferson Davis threatens to execute Federal prisoners if the Federals go through on their threat to execute the crew that had captured the U.S.S. Enchantress as pirates.
The feud that had begun in October between Jefferson Davis and one of his top generals continues into this month.
The U.S. War Department issues General Orders No. 97, which authorizes a major military reorganization.