Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
The U.S. Congress passes a bill intended to supersede Abraham Lincoln’s lenient plan for readmitting Confederate states to the Union. This mandates a much more punitive process of readmission, but it will require Lincoln’s approval to become law.
Disgruntled Republicans gather in Cleveland, Ohio, to nominate a presidential candidate that could defeat Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming election. But the convention proves less successful than many had hoped.
George G. Meade, commanding the Federal Army of the Potomac, is summoned to Washington to testify before Congress. He directly addresses allegations that he had planned to retreat at the Battle of Gettysburg and tries to address personal attacks on his leadership.
The Republican Party splits into factions as the presidential election approaches. Conservatives support Abraham Lincoln for a second term, while radicals look to replace Lincoln with Salmon P. Chase. This division makes headlines throughout the North.
President Abraham Lincoln learns that a pamphlet is being circulated urging Republicans to drop their support for him in the upcoming presidential election in favor of a candidate who will pursue a much harsher war policy against the Confederacy.
The Lincoln administration tries to address the troubling divisions in Missouri with a reorganization designed to help both militarily and politically.