Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
President Abraham Lincoln works to unite the differing factions within his Republican Party as the presidential race begins heating up. His efforts lead to the withdrawal of a rival candidate in exchange for the removal of key officials within his cabinet.
Abraham Lincoln is presented with a bill outlining the congressional plan to readmitting the Confederate states to the Union. His decision whether to approve this bill outrages many within his own party.
Northerners learn of the true disaster at Fredericksburg, which sparks enough outrage to make this the greatest crisis of the Lincoln presidency to date.
The U.S. Senate approves a measure creating a joint House-Senate military oversight committee whose investigative methods quickly prove controversial.