In January of 1863 President Lincoln presented the Emancipation Proclamation to the world. Slavery was outlawed but it had no positive effect on ending the war. The war now became a legal struggle for the abolition of slavery.

General Joseph Hooker would become the commander of the Potomac and General Ulysses S. Grant the commander of the Army of the West. In March of 1863 Congress enacted A CIVIL WAR DRAFT, which would include male citizens 20 to 40 years of age, but exempted those who paid $300 or provided a substitute. Amazing!

Chancellorsville, a Confederate victory, 30,000 killed or wounded!

May 10th, 1863 Confederate General STONEWALL JACKSON DIED from wounds received in battle from a sniper.

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in July of 1863, and from this battle the most famous speech of our time was given. The GETTYSBURG ADDRESS, a speech given by President Lincoln to dedicate a national cemetery there, defined the Civil War and gave recognition to all who fought and died. All are Americans whether they were Union or Confederate soldiers. A vow was made that day to remember what these soldiers had given, "their last full measure of devotion". A hope for a nation again reunited in freedom was the goal of the Union in the war.

After Gettysburg came the battles of Vicksburg, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga. In between there was a major "antidraft" riot in New York led by poor immigrants and due to the fact that people could buy their way out of military service.It was at this time that "Negro Troops" were formed. They assaulted Fort Wagner in South Carolina (The Movie Glory). From this battle emerged the FIRST BLACK MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT. At Lawrence, Kansas, Pro-Slavery Confederates led by William C. Quantrill raided the town and butchered 182 boys and men.

American Civil War-Union and Confederate-Slavery to Reconstruction