On the first day of the new Congress President Abraham Lincoln proposes 3 amendments to the U. S. Constitution. First, all slaves would be gradually emancipated until 1900. Second, slaves freed during the war would remain free. Third, the United States would pay for consensual colonization
Thomas Hindman [CS] attacks Francis "Frank" Herron [US] advancing from Wilson's Creek in an attempt to defeat him before joining James Blunt's [US] men. Blunt reached the Confederate line just as Herron was considering withdrawal, resulting in a Union victory
Commonly known as the Goldsboro Expedition, the Union Army in North Carolina under John G. Foster pushes into the state in an attempt to sever railroad supply lines to Virginia.
Republicans vote to ask for a reconstruction of Lincoln's cabinet. During the meeting, Secretary of State William Seward and his son, the Assistant Secretary of State, resign.
In preparation for his assault on the Confederate fortress at Vicksburg, Ulysess S. Grant reorganizes his forces into 4 Corps (13th, 15th, 16th, 17th) under John A. McLernand, William T. Sherman, Stephen A. Hurlbut and James B. McPherson respectively
General Earl Van Dorn [CS] strikes a federal supply depot at Holly Springs capturing 1500 prisoners and destroying 1.5 million dollars of military supplies
U. S. 15th Corps under William Tecumseh Sherman boards transports at Memphis to sail down the Mississippi to Chickasaw Bayou. Ulysses S. Grant called off a supporting campaign over land because of continued Rebel raids
The U. S. S. Monitor founders in heavy seas off Cape Hatteras. 16 men die and the remaining are rescued by the Rhode Island, her escort. The boat is towed to port.
Near Lexington General Nathan Bedford Forrest [CS] tries to break through a federal line after successful raids on Grant's supply lines and communications. As he begins to drive the Union troops back he is attacked from behind, loosing 300 men.