The Black Hawk War.  Lincoln served as a militia captain during this 1832 conflict.  The unofficial war was fought over Chief Black Hawk's desire to resettle on Illinois land that he had mistakenly signed away in an earlier treaty.  Although he saw no combat, Lincoln was deepened by his experience on several burial details.  A talented wrestler, Lincoln is also said to have jumped between a defenseless Native American and the muskets of his own men, forcing his men to stand down after none would fight him man-to-man. 

The Black Hawk War.  Lincoln served as a militia captain during this 1832 conflict.  The unofficial war was fought over Chief Black Hawk's desire to resettle on Illinois land that he had mistakenly signed away in an earlier treaty.  Although he saw no combat, Lincoln was deepened by his experience on several burial details.  A talented wrestler, Lincoln is also said to have jumped between a defenseless Native American and the muskets of his own men, forcing his men to stand down after none would fight him man-to-man. 

The Black Hawk War.  Lincoln served as a militia captain during this 1832 conflict.  The unofficial war was fought over Chief Black Hawk's desire to resettle on Illinois land that he had mistakenly signed away in an earlier treaty.  Although he saw no combat, Lincoln was deepened by his experience on several burial details.  A talented wrestler, Lincoln is also said to have jumped between a defenseless Native American and the muskets of his own men, forcing his men to stand down after none would fight him man-to-man. 

Fort Sumter.  With secession, several Federal forts suddenly became outposts in an enemy nation.  While Lincoln refused to be the first to fire a shot in the coming war, he also refused to surrender the forts.  Nevertheless, his decision to resupply Fort Sumter, South Carolina (and Fort Pickens in Florida) was an intolerable offense to the Confederate nation's sovereignty. Southern warships filled Charleston Harbor and, at 4:30 A.M. on April 12, fired the first shot of the Civil War.  The supply expedition never reached the fort. 

Fort Sumter.  With secession, several Federal forts suddenly became outposts in an enemy nation.  While Lincoln refused to be the first to fire a shot in the coming war, he also refused to surrender the forts.  Nevertheless, his decision to resupply Fort Sumter, South Carolina (and Fort Pickens in Florida) was an intolerable offense to the Confederate nation's sovereignty. Southern warships filled Charleston Harbor and, at 4:30 A.M. on April 12, fired the first shot of the Civil War.  The supply expedition never reached the fort. 

Fort Sumter.  With secession, several Federal forts suddenly became outposts in an enemy nation.  While Lincoln refused to be the first to fire a shot in the coming war, he also refused to surrender the forts.  Nevertheless, his decision to resupply Fort Sumter, South Carolina (and Fort Pickens in Florida) was an intolerable offense to the Confederate nation's sovereignty. Southern warships filled Charleston Harbor and, at 4:30 A.M. on April 12, fired the first shot of the Civil War.  The supply expedition never reached the fort. 

The right to due process of law.  An American citizen's protection from the deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process of law--fair and open judicial proceedings, also known as habeas corpus--is enshrined primarily in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.  Ignoring the right has proven to be a common executive action during times of war.  Lincoln's decision came after groups of Marylanders disrupted rail transport and attacked soldiers en route to Washington D.C.  Suspect citizens throughout the state were arrested and detained without trial.  The Supreme Court ordered Lincoln to reverse his position.  Lincoln ignored them for nearly a year before walking back his actions. 

The right to due process of law.  An American citizen's protection from the deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process of law--fair and open judicial proceedings, also known as habeas corpus--is enshrined primarily in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.  Ignoring the right has proven to be a common executive action during times of war.  Lincoln's decision came after groups of Marylanders disrupted rail transport and attacked soldiers en route to Washington D.C.  Suspect citizens throughout the state were arrested and detained without trial.  The Supreme Court ordered Lincoln to reverse his position.  Lincoln ignored them for nearly a year before walking back his actions. 

The right to due process of law.  An American citizen's protection from the deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process of law--fair and open judicial proceedings, also known as habeas corpus--is enshrined primarily in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.  Ignoring the right has proven to be a common executive action during times of war.  Lincoln's decision came after groups of Marylanders disrupted rail transport and attacked soldiers en route to Washington D.C.  Suspect citizens throughout the state were arrested and detained without trial.  The Supreme Court ordered Lincoln to reverse his position.  Lincoln ignored them for nearly a year before walking back his actions. 

George B. McClellan.  General Irwin McDowell's catastrophic defeat at Bull Run persuaded Lincoln that he needed a new commander.  McClellan had cultivated a reputation as one of the country's top military engineers and in the first months of his wartime service in the west he seemed to have come the closest of any Union general to winning a battle.  Soon after his promotion McClellan created the Army of the Potomac and appointed himself as its leader. 

George B. McClellan.  General Irwin McDowell's catastrophic defeat at Bull Run persuaded Lincoln that he needed a new commander.  McClellan had cultivated a reputation as one of the country's top military engineers and in the first months of his wartime service in the west he seemed to have come the closest of any Union general to winning a battle.  Soon after his promotion McClellan created the Army of the Potomac and appointed himself as its leader. 

George B. McClellan.  General Irwin McDowell's catastrophic defeat at Bull Run persuaded Lincoln that he needed a new commander.  McClellan had cultivated a reputation as one of the country's top military engineers and in the first months of his wartime service in the west he seemed to have come the closest of any Union general to winning a battle.  Soon after his promotion McClellan created the Army of the Potomac and appointed himself as its leader. 

John Fremont.  John Fremont was a famous explorer in the pre-war United States.  As a general, he was politically reckless, strategically incompetent, and corrupt.  Before being demoted, he had announced martial law in Missouri and freed the state's slaves.  Lincoln repealed the decree but likely would have been tolerant of Fremont's excesses if he proved himself to be an able fighter, which he failed to do.  Having gotten word that Lincoln's final order was on its way to his headquarters, Fremont implemented strict security measures in order to prevent the message from getting inside his lines.  The courier had to disguise himself as a farmer to reach Fremont's tent. 

John Fremont.  John Fremont was a famous explorer in the pre-war United States.  As a general, he was politically reckless, strategically incompetent, and corrupt.  Before being demoted, he had announced martial law in Missouri and freed the state's slaves.  Lincoln repealed the decree but likely would have been tolerant of Fremont's excesses if he proved himself to be an able fighter, which he failed to do.  Having gotten word that Lincoln's final order was on its way to his headquarters, Fremont implemented strict security measures in order to prevent the message from getting inside his lines.  The courier had to disguise himself as a farmer to reach Fremont's tent. 

John Fremont.  John Fremont was a famous explorer in the pre-war United States.  As a general, he was politically reckless, strategically incompetent, and corrupt.  Before being demoted, he had announced martial law in Missouri and freed the state's slaves.  Lincoln repealed the decree but likely would have been tolerant of Fremont's excesses if he proved himself to be an able fighter, which he failed to do.  Having gotten word that Lincoln's final order was on its way to his headquarters, Fremont implemented strict security measures in order to prevent the message from getting inside his lines.  The courier had to disguise himself as a farmer to reach Fremont's tent. 

Vicksburg.  Lincoln pursued a rapid self-education on military matters after being elected president.  He soon felt confident enough to take an active role in planning the grand strategy of the war.  On a November evening he brought a map to McClellan's house and outlined a plan of attack in the west.  McClellan, an egoist in the extreme, felt put upon by Lincoln's counsel.  Soon after, he began to privately refer to Lincoln as "the original Gorilla," or as an "odd bird." 

Vicksburg.  Lincoln pursued a rapid self-education on military matters after being elected president.  He soon felt confident enough to take an active role in planning the grand strategy of the war.  On a November evening he brought a map to McClellan's house and outlined a plan of attack in the west.  McClellan, an egoist in the extreme, felt put upon by Lincoln's counsel.  Soon after, he began to privately refer to Lincoln as "the original Gorilla," or as an "odd bird." 

Vicksburg.  Lincoln pursued a rapid self-education on military matters after being elected president.  He soon felt confident enough to take an active role in planning the grand strategy of the war.  On a November evening he brought a map to McClellan's house and outlined a plan of attack in the west.  McClellan, an egoist in the extreme, felt put upon by Lincoln's counsel.  Soon after, he began to privately refer to Lincoln as "the original Gorilla," or as an "odd bird." 

The Trent Affair.  In the final months of 1862 a bold Union naval captain intercepted the HMS Trent, a British cargo ship, and seized two Confederate diplomats.  The British were furious and talked threateningly of military retribution.  Many Northerners were angry, too, and would have welcomed war with their traditional enemy for the offense of colluding with the Confederacy.  After a tense standoff that demonstrated the Union's unwillingness to be toyed with, Lincoln released the envoys. 

The Trent Affair.  In the final months of 1862 a bold Union naval captain intercepted the HMS Trent, a British cargo ship, and seized two Confederate diplomats.  The British were furious and talked threateningly of military retribution.  Many Northerners were angry, too, and would have welcomed war with their traditional enemy for the offense of colluding with the Confederacy.  After a tense standoff that demonstrated the Union's unwillingness to be toyed with, Lincoln released the envoys. 

The Trent Affair.  In the final months of 1862 a bold Union naval captain intercepted the HMS Trent, a British cargo ship, and seized two Confederate diplomats.  The British were furious and talked threateningly of military retribution.  Many Northerners were angry, too, and would have welcomed war with their traditional enemy for the offense of colluding with the Confederacy.  After a tense standoff that demonstrated the Union's unwillingness to be toyed with, Lincoln released the envoys. 

An overland approach from Washington to Richmond.  McClellan was terminally convinced that he was outnumbered by the Confederate army.  He worried about the prospect of the open field battle that Lincoln's plan sought to bring about.  He first planned a riverine movement towards Urbanna, Virginia to outflank the Southern defenses at Manassas, but he took too long to execute the maneuver and found that the enemy army had withdrawn to cover Urbanna.  He still did not accept Lincoln's strategy, and instead turned his resources towards an amphibious landing on the eastern tip of Virginia and an advance on Richmond from there.  The Peninsula Campaign would prove to be a failure. 

An overland approach from Washington to Richmond.  McClellan was terminally convinced that he was outnumbered by the Confederate army.  He worried about the prospect of the open field battle that Lincoln's plan sought to bring about.  He first planned a riverine movement towards Urbanna, Virginia to outflank the Southern defenses at Manassas, but he took too long to execute the maneuver and found that the enemy army had withdrawn to cover Urbanna.  He still did not accept Lincoln's strategy, and instead turned his resources towards an amphibious landing on the eastern tip of Virginia and an advance on Richmond from there.  The Peninsula Campaign would prove to be a failure. 

An overland approach from Washington to Richmond.  McClellan was terminally convinced that he was outnumbered by the Confederate army.  He worried about the prospect of the open field battle that Lincoln's plan sought to bring about.  He first planned a riverine movement towards Urbanna, Virginia to outflank the Southern defenses at Manassas, but he took too long to execute the maneuver and found that the enemy army had withdrawn to cover Urbanna.  He still did not accept Lincoln's strategy, and instead turned his resources towards an amphibious landing on the eastern tip of Virginia and an advance on Richmond from there.  The Peninsula Campaign would prove to be a failure. 

Fitz-John Porter.  Politics was never far from the heart of the Army.  Many prominent generals, including George McClellan and Porter, were Democrats opposed to Lincoln's vision for the future.  Still more, from the highest ranks to the lowest, were simply unsure about the manifold impacts that emancipation might have on the nation.  The Emancipation Proclamation provoked a not quite overpowering storm of vitriol in Lincoln's military--there were many abolitionists in the ranks as well.  Fitz-John Porter was a notoriously loose talker who would soon be court-martialed for his conduct at the Second Battle of Manassas. 

Fitz-John Porter.  Politics was never far from the heart of the Army.  Many prominent generals, including George McClellan and Porter, were Democrats opposed to Lincoln's vision for the future.  Still more, from the highest ranks to the lowest, were simply unsure about the manifold impacts that emancipation might have on the nation.  The Emancipation Proclamation provoked a not quite overpowering storm of vitriol in Lincoln's military--there were many abolitionists in the ranks as well.  Fitz-John Porter was a notoriously loose talker who would soon be court-martialed for his conduct at the Second Battle of Manassas. 

Fitz-John Porter.  Politics was never far from the heart of the Army.  Many prominent generals, including George McClellan and Porter, were Democrats opposed to Lincoln's vision for the future.  Still more, from the highest ranks to the lowest, were simply unsure about the manifold impacts that emancipation might have on the nation.  The Emancipation Proclamation provoked a not quite overpowering storm of vitriol in Lincoln's military--there were many abolitionists in the ranks as well.  Fitz-John Porter was a notoriously loose talker who would soon be court-martialed for his conduct at the Second Battle of Manassas. 

The Battle of Perryville.  Buell's superior numbers had compelled the Confederate army to retreat after the savage Battle of Perryville, Kentucky in October, 1862.  Buell refused to press his advantage, however.  Joining a shrieking chorus, he asked for more men, more supplies, and insisted that an advance was impossible at the present time.  Lincoln had grown tired of these complaints.  He replaced Buell with William Rosecrans before the end of the year. 

The Battle of Perryville.  Buell's superior numbers had compelled the Confederate army to retreat after the savage Battle of Perryville, Kentucky in October, 1862.  Buell refused to press his advantage, however.  Joining a shrieking chorus, he asked for more men, more supplies, and insisted that an advance was impossible at the present time.  Lincoln had grown tired of these complaints.  He replaced Buell with William Rosecrans before the end of the year. 

The Battle of Perryville.  Buell's superior numbers had compelled the Confederate army to retreat after the savage Battle of Perryville, Kentucky in October, 1862.  Buell refused to press his advantage, however.  Joining a shrieking chorus, he asked for more men, more supplies, and insisted that an advance was impossible at the present time.  Lincoln had grown tired of these complaints.  He replaced Buell with William Rosecrans before the end of the year. 

It would only work if Burnside moved quickly.  In the winter of 1862, the Confederate forces in the east were in a strong position behind the Rappahannock River.  Burnside, who had replaced McClellan at the head of the Army of the Potomac after the Battle of Antietam, proposed to move to the attack at the most obvious crossing: the town of Fredericksburg.  Lincoln did not like the plan but did not veto it.  Perhaps his comment was correct--Burnside was hampered by logistical difficulties and was several days behind schedule crossing the river.  He walked right into Robert E. Lee's veterans and The Battle of Fredericksburg turned into one of the greatest Union disasters of the war. 

It would only work if Burnside moved quickly.  In the winter of 1862, the Confederate forces in the east were in a strong position behind the Rappahannock River.  Burnside, who had replaced McClellan at the head of the Army of the Potomac after the Battle of Antietam, proposed to move to the attack at the most obvious crossing: the town of Fredericksburg.  Lincoln did not like the plan but did not veto it.  Perhaps his comment was correct--Burnside was hampered by logistical difficulties and was several days behind schedule crossing the river.  He walked right into Robert E. Lee's veterans and The Battle of Fredericksburg turned into one of the greatest Union disasters of the war. 

It would only work if Burnside moved quickly.  In the winter of 1862, the Confederate forces in the east were in a strong position behind the Rappahannock River.  Burnside, who had replaced McClellan at the head of the Army of the Potomac after the Battle of Antietam, proposed to move to the attack at the most obvious crossing: the town of Fredericksburg.  Lincoln did not like the plan but did not veto it.  Perhaps his comment was correct--Burnside was hampered by logistical difficulties and was several days behind schedule crossing the river.  He walked right into Robert E. Lee's veterans and The Battle of Fredericksburg turned into one of the greatest Union disasters of the war. 

He needed men from Grant's army to deter a French invasion of Texas.  The French took advantage of the United States' preoccupation with the Civil War to violate the Monroe Doctrine and invade Mexico in 1862.  Lincoln became concerned that the new French government to the south would attempt to seize Texas.  While he appreciated Grant's desire to move quickly towards a new offensive in Alabama, he prioritized operations in Texas which would require significant detachments from Grant's army.  Grant manfully assented to Lincoln's proposal.  The French backed down. 

He needed men from Grant's army to deter a French invasion of Texas.  The French took advantage of the United States' preoccupation with the Civil War to violate the Monroe Doctrine and invade Mexico in 1862.  Lincoln became concerned that the new French government to the south would attempt to seize Texas.  While he appreciated Grant's desire to move quickly towards a new offensive in Alabama, he prioritized operations in Texas which would require significant detachments from Grant's army.  Grant manfully assented to Lincoln's proposal.  The French backed down. 

He needed men from Grant's army to deter a French invasion of Texas.  The French took advantage of the United States' preoccupation with the Civil War to violate the Monroe Doctrine and invade Mexico in 1862.  Lincoln became concerned that the new French government to the south would attempt to seize Texas.  While he appreciated Grant's desire to move quickly towards a new offensive in Alabama, he prioritized operations in Texas which would require significant detachments from Grant's army.  Grant manfully assented to Lincoln's proposal.  The French backed down. 

George B. McClellan.  McClellan harbored political ambitions from the very outset of the war.  In 1864, after a string of unimpressive performances on the battlefield left him without a command, he took advantage of his newfound free time to campaign for the presidency.  He became the Democratic Party's standard-bearer during a period of profound war-weariness and nearly won the election on the implicit promise of peace with disunion.  The fall of Atlanta and Mobile shortly before Election Day swung the American people back towards Lincoln and ensured the end of the Confederacy.

George B. McClellan.  McClellan harbored political ambitions from the very outset of the war.  In 1864, after a string of unimpressive performances on the battlefield left him without a command, he took advantage of his newfound free time to campaign for the presidency.  He became the Democratic Party's standard-bearer during a period of profound war-weariness and nearly won the election on the implicit promise of peace with disunion.  The fall of Atlanta and Mobile shortly before Election Day swung the American people back towards Lincoln and ensured the end of the Confederacy.

George B. McClellan.  McClellan harbored political ambitions from the very outset of the war.  In 1864, after a string of unimpressive performances on the battlefield left him without a command, he took advantage of his newfound free time to campaign for the presidency.  He became the Democratic Party's standard-bearer during a period of profound war-weariness and nearly won the election on the implicit promise of peace with disunion.  The fall of Atlanta and Mobile shortly before Election Day swung the American people back towards Lincoln and ensured the end of the Confederacy.

The Soldiers' Home.  The Soldiers' Home still stands in Washington, D.C.  Lincoln Cottage, a small cabin the First Family used as an urban vacation home and the site of the writing of the Emancipation Proclamation, sits on the Home's grounds.  As the city filled with the gruesome backwash of war Lincoln refused to insulate himself.  He made a number of trips to the Soldiers' Home to spend time with the men he commanded. 

The Soldiers' Home.  The Soldiers' Home still stands in Washington, D.C.  Lincoln Cottage, a small cabin the First Family used as an urban vacation home and the site of the writing of the Emancipation Proclamation, sits on the Home's grounds.  As the city filled with the gruesome backwash of war Lincoln refused to insulate himself.  He made a number of trips to the Soldiers' Home to spend time with the men he commanded. 

The Soldiers' Home.  The Soldiers' Home still stands in Washington, D.C.  Lincoln Cottage, a small cabin the First Family used as an urban vacation home and the site of the writing of the Emancipation Proclamation, sits on the Home's grounds.  As the city filled with the gruesome backwash of war Lincoln refused to insulate himself.  He made a number of trips to the Soldiers' Home to spend time with the men he commanded. 

The Battle of Fort Stevens.  The last Confederate offensive in the east came when Jubal Early led Confederate forces north through the Shenandoah Valley in an effort to divert Ulysses S. Grant's attention from Robert E. Lee.  Early's campaign was initially successful and he drove to the very outskirts of Washington, D.C.  Lincoln rode out to Fort Stevens to see the battle.  As he mounted the parapet he came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters.  A man was shot right beside him and Lincoln himself had to dodge out of the way of a bullet that pinged off of the barrel of a cannon behind him.  The Union troops forced the Confederates back and eventually pushed Early out of the Valley.  Lincoln is the second and last sitting president to be shot at on a battlefield. 

The Battle of Fort Stevens.  The last Confederate offensive in the east came when Jubal Early led Confederate forces north through the Shenandoah Valley in an effort to divert Ulysses S. Grant's attention from Robert E. Lee.  Early's campaign was initially successful and he drove to the very outskirts of Washington, D.C.  Lincoln rode out to Fort Stevens to see the battle.  As he mounted the parapet he came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters.  A man was shot right beside him and Lincoln himself had to dodge out of the way of a bullet that pinged off of the barrel of a cannon behind him.  The Union troops forced the Confederates back and eventually pushed Early out of the Valley.  Lincoln is the second and last sitting president to be shot at on a battlefield. 

The Battle of Fort Stevens.  The last Confederate offensive in the east came when Jubal Early led Confederate forces north through the Shenandoah Valley in an effort to divert Ulysses S. Grant's attention from Robert E. Lee.  Early's campaign was initially successful and he drove to the very outskirts of Washington, D.C.  Lincoln rode out to Fort Stevens to see the battle.  As he mounted the parapet he came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters.  A man was shot right beside him and Lincoln himself had to dodge out of the way of a bullet that pinged off of the barrel of a cannon behind him.  The Union troops forced the Confederates back and eventually pushed Early out of the Valley.  Lincoln is the second and last sitting president to be shot at on a battlefield.