Abraham Lincoln surprises his cabinet by reading a draft of an executive order freeing all slaves in Confederate states.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Abraham Lincoln surprises his cabinet by reading a draft of an executive order freeing all slaves in Confederate states.
With the northern war effort in decline, Abraham Lincoln begins to reconsider whether or not he should free slaves by presidential decree.
Abraham Lincoln issues a call for more volunteers while sidestepping the defeats on the Virginia Peninsula that prompted the call.
Abraham Lincoln finally decides upon a course of action regarding Great Britain’s demands to release the Confederate envoys seized aboard the British steamer Trent.
News of the British reaction to the seizure of Confederate envoys James Mason and John Slidell reaches the U.S.
Confederate envoys board a steamship in the hopes of eluding the Federal blockade and reaching Europe to gain Confederate recognition.