How about starting an "on this day" thread? Make it pre 1865 then it remains relevant to what we do, my starter:
1787, New Jersey became the third US state.
1865, The US officially abolished slavery with the ratification of the 13th Amendment.

*I can do from the official records - you can do the antebellum

December 18
1861
Federal reconnaissance from Somerset to Mill Springs, KY.

Skirmish at Blackwater Creek, or Milford, or also called Shawnee Mound, MO, with Brig. Gen. John Pope, USA.

Federal scout from Rolla towards Houston, MO, by Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, USA.

Federal reconnaissance to Pohick Church, VA, 12 miles south of Alexandria, VA.

1862
Brig. Gen. Johnson Kelly Duncan, CSA, dies at Knoxville, TN, from camp fever sickness.

Skirmish near Water Valley, MS.

The US Army of the Tennessee has the following assignments:
a) Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand, USA, - 13th US Army Corps,
b) Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, - 15th US Army Corps,
c) Maj. Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut, USA, - 16th US Army Corps,
d) Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson, USA, - 17th US Army Corps,
(the 15th, 16th, and 17th US Army Corps are newly created)

Skirmish at Lexington, TN, where Brig. Gen. Nathan Beford Forrest, CSA, defeats the Union cavalry.

1863
Augustus Louis Chetlain, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Skirmish near Sheldon's Place, Barren Fork, the Indian Territory, with Col. Stand Watie's
Confederates

Operations in Northern Mississippi and West Tennessee. (Dec 18-31)

Skirmish at Indiantown or Sandy Swamp, NC.

Skirmish at Bean's Station, TN, the Knoxville, TN, Campaign.

Skirmish at Rutledge, TN, the Knoxville, TN, Campaign.

Affair near Culpeper, VA, with a quick Confederate cavalry dash on the Union pickets on the
Sperryville road, capturing one Yankee.

Federal scout from Vienna to Middleburg, VA, against Confederate guerrillas, and the capture of a few of Maj. John S. Mosby's Virginia Partisans. (Dec 18-20)

1864

Skirmish near Dudley Lake, AR.

Lieut. Gen. William Hardee, CSA, refuses Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's, USA, demand of the surrender of Savannah, GA, opting to evacuate the city instead.

Skirmish on Little River, in New Madrid County, MO, with guerrillas.

Skirmish at Spring Hill, TN, with the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

1777, Washington settles his troops at Valley Forge for the winter.

December 19
1861

Skirmish at Point of Rocks, MD, along the Potomac River.

1862

Engagement near Jackson, TN, with Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA, attacking the railroad and supply lines of Maj. Gens. Ulysses S. Grant and William S. Rosecrans, USA.

Affairs at Carroll Station and Spring Creek, TN, with Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

Skirmish on the Occoquan, VA.

Due to constant bickering between Secretary of State and Treasury, Seward and Chase, Seward offers to resign but Lincoln refuses to accept his resignation.

1863

John Randolph Chambliss, Jr, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Skirmish with Indians at Barren Fork, the Indian Territory.

Skirmish at Stone's Mill, TN, the Knoxville, TN, Campaign.

Skirmishes on Jackson's River, near Covington, VA, with Brig. Gen. William W. Averell, USA.

Skirmish at Scott's, on Barber's Creek, VA, with Brig. Gen. William W. Averell, USA.

1864

William Lowther Jackson, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Skirmish at Rector's Farm, AR.

Skirmish at Curtis's Creek, TN.

Skirmish at Rutherford's Creek, TN.

Federal expedition from Kernstown to Lacey's Springs, VA, and action at Lacey's Springs (Dec 21), as Bvt. Maj. Gen. George Armstrong Custer, USA, and his Federal cavalry drive against the Rebels, destroying property, inflicting casualties, and disrupting communications. The sanctity of the South's beautiful Shenandoah Valley has just about been totally destroyed by the Federals. (Dec 19-22)

Federal Cavalry expedition led by Brig. Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert, USA, from Winchester to near Gordonsville, VA, including skirmishes at:
a) Madison Court-House (Dec 21)
b) Liberty Mills (Dec 22)
c) near Gordonsville, (Dec 23)
Military activity in the Shenandoah Valley is greatly diminished as the majority of Lieut. Gen. Jubal Early, CSA, and Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA, armies are sent to the battle front at Petersburg, VA. (Dec 19-28 )

1606, In late 1606, three ships sent by the London Company landed at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. However, they were abruptly attacked by some of the Natives, and forced to move. They eventually settled on the banks of James River, (named for King James I), and it was known as Jamestown.


1620, Samuel Fuller arrives in the "New World" (baptised 1580 – died 1633) was an English doctor and church deacon. He is remembered as one of the Separatist Pilgrims who together formed the colony in North America at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

1803, Louisiana Purchase officially transferred.
Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had a vision of a renewed western empire for France, and his schemes included the recapture of Louisiana from Spain. Control over this vast territory would halt the westward expansion of the young United States and would supply French colonies in the West Indies with the goods they needed. In 1800, Napoleon signed the secret Treaty of Ildefonso with Spain, an agreement that stipulated that France would provide Spain with a kingdom for the son-in-law of Spain's king if Spain would return Louisiana to France. However, Napoleon's plan collapsed when the twelve-year revolt of slaves and free blacks in the French colony of Saint-Domingue succeeded, forcing French troops to return defeated to France and preventing them from reaching their ultimate destination--Louisiana--and from being able to defend it. As Napoleon's New World empire disintegrated, the loss of Haiti made Louisiana unnecessary.The United States wanted to acquire the area near New Orleans primarily to guarantee its right to sail vessels down the Mississippi River through Spanish territory and unload goods at New Orleans for shipment to the Atlantic coast and Europe. Moreover, the United States wanted to possess the entire territory of Louisiana because so many American settlers and merchants were already in the region and because of its vital geographic position at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The United States discovered the transfer of Louisiana from Spain to France and sent Robert Livingston to France in 1801 to try to purchase New Orleans. Napoleon initially refused, leading President Thomas Jefferson to send James Monroe to secure the deal. However, in April 1803, just days before Monroe was to arrive in Paris, Napoleon offered to sell the United States not only New Orleans but all of Louisiana. Napoleon's minister of the treasury, the Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, dealt with Livingston and Monroe over terms of the Louisiana Purchase. The United States purchased Louisiana for $11,250,000 and assumed claims of its own citizens against France up to $3,750,000, for a total purchase price of $15 million.

December 20
1860

The following are the Four General Officers in the Union Regular Army at the outbreak of the Civil War:
Brevet Lieutenant General Winfield Scott. U.S.A.
Brevet Major General David E. Twiggs, U.S.A.
Brevet Major General John Ellis Wool, U.S.A.
Brigadier General William Selby Harney, USA
The ordinance of secession is adopted by the South Carolina Convention, by the unanimous vote of 169 to 0 in the Institute Hall, Charleston, SC.


1861

William High Keim, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

John McCauley Palmer, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Two warships of the British Royal Navy convoy troops to Canada in case a satisfactory solution to the "Trent" affair is not achieved.

A stone fleet, consisting of old whaling vessels, are sunk by the Federal Navy to prevent (unsuccessfully) Confederate blockade runners from entering Charleston Harbor, SC.

Engagement at Dranesville, VA, between Brig. Gen. George A. McCall, USA, and Brig. Gen. JEB
Stuart, CSA, Cavalry.

1862

Skirmish at Cane Hill, AR.

Skirmish at Cold Water, MS.

Operations against Vicksburg, MS. (Dec 20-Jan 3)

The Federal Expedition under the command of Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, USA, embarks at Memphis, TN, for Vicksburg, MS.

Federal operations against the Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn Confederate raid, MS. (Dec 20-28 )

The Confederate capture of Holly Springs, MS, by Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn's CSA, troops moving from Grenada, MS, and capturing 1,500 of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's men and over $1,500,000 of military supplies. Grant is now forced to withdraw to LaGrange, TN, and forgo his advance on Vicksburg, MS.

Brig. Gen. Samuel P. Carter's, USA, Raid into East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. (Dec 20-Jan 5)

The Confederate capture of Humboldt,TN, by Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

Skirmish at Railroad Crossing, Forked Deer River, TN, with Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

The Confederate capture of Trenton, TN, by Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

Skirmishes at Kelly's Ford, VA. (Dec 20-22)

Skirmish near Occoquan, VA.

Skirmish near Halltown, WV.

Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase also tenders his resignation, which President Lincoln refuses to accept.

1863

Federal scout from Lexington, MO.

1864

John McArthur, U.S.A., is appointed Maj. Gen.

The Confederate evacuation of Savannah, GA, by Lieut. Gen. William Hardee, CSA.

Federal expeditions from Cape Girardeau and Dallas, MO, to Cherokee Bay, AR, and the Saint Francis River, with skirmishes, with guerrillas. (Dec 20-Jan 4)

The USS Hartford, arrives in New York City Harbor for repairs. The ship and its commander, Admiral David G. Farragut's part in the American Civil War has come to an end.

Engagement at Poplar Point, NC. (Dec 20-22)

Skirmish near the Pocotaligo Road, SC, as the 33rd US Colored Infantry drives off the 300+ plus Rebels contesting their advance near the Tullifmny Creek, capturing men and supplies.

Skirmish at Columbia, TN.

The capture and the destruction of the salt-works at Saltville, VA, by Maj. Gen. George Stoneman, USA. (Dec 20-21)

The declaration of independence for modern Texas, by both Anglo-Texan settlers and local Tejanos, was signed in Goliad on December 20, 1835. ... ahhh, memories!

1620, The Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts.

December 21
1861

Brig. Gen. Henry Alexander Wise, CSA, is assigned to duty in North Carolina, being removed from Western Virginia for his lackluster performance.

Skirmish at Hudson, MO.

The British Minister, Lord Lyons, continue to meet with the Secretary of State William H. Seward regarding the "Trent" Affair.

1862

Federal expedition from Fayetteville to Huntsville, AR, including the capture of Confederate stragglers from the Battle of Prairie Grove

Skirmish at Van Buren, AR.

Skirmish at Davis' Mill, MS.

President Jefferson Davis visits Vicksburg, MS.

Affair at Rutherford's Station, TN.

The Confederate capture of Union City, TN, by Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

Skirmish on the Wilson Creek Pike, TN.

Federal scout to Catlett's Station and Brentsville, VA. (Dec 21 -23)

Federal reconnaissance from Potomac Creek Bridge toward Warrenton, VA. (Dec 21-22)

Federal reconnaissance from Stafford Court-House to Kellysville, VA. (Dec 21-23)

Skirmish at Strasburg, VA.

1863

Lawrence Sullivan Ross, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Federal scout from Rossville to La Fayette, GA, with the capture of Rebel prisoners, citizens, forage, etc. (Dec 21-23)

Federal scout from Rocky Run toward Trenton, NC, in an effort to capture Rebel guerrillas. (Dec 21- 24)

Skirmish at Clinch River, TN, the Knoxville, TN, Campaign.

Skirmish at McMinnville, TN.

Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, USA, supersedes Brig. Gen. Mahlon D. Manson, USA, in the command of the 23rd US Army Corps, TN, the Knoxville, TN, Campaign.

Federal expedition from Bealeton to Luray, VA, and skirmishes, including the burning of a large 3 story tannery at Luray, etc. (Dec 21-23)

Affair near Hunter's Mill, VA, as guerrillas fire on and seriously wound a couple of Yankees on the road to Fairfax Court-House.

1864

The 20th US Army Corps occupies Savannah, GA.

Skirmish at Franklin Creek MS. (Dec 21-22)

Federal expedition, under Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson, USA, from Memphis, TN, to destroy the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, about 100 miles of railroad track, and capturing 800 Confederates with nearly enough horses to mount them all. (Dec 21-Jan 5)

1865

Brig. Gen. James Heyward Trapier, CSA, dies from camp fever sickness developed during the Civil War, near Georgetown, SC.

1864, Savannah, Georgia, fell to General Sherman’s Union troops in the American Civil War.

December 22
1861

Skirmish at New Market Bridge, near Newport News, VA.

1862

Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan's 2nd Confederate Kentucky Raid. (Dec 22-Jan 2)

Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan's, CSA, command sets out from Alexandria, near Carthage, TN, and crosses the Cumberland River, into Kentucky.

Maj. Gen. Robert C. Schenck, USA, supersedes Gen. John E. Wool, USA, in the command of the Middle Military Dept, VA.

Skirmishes near Windsor and at Joyner's Ferry, on the Blackwater, VA.

Skirmish at Wardensville, WV.

President Abraham Lincoln meets with Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, USA, to discuss the recent battle, chain of events, and actions taken by various officers, at Fredericksburg, VA.

1863

Skirmish at Fayette, MS.

Lieut. Gen. Leonidas Polk, CSA, is assigned to the command of the Dept. of Mississippi and East Louisiana, (temporarily in command of the Dept. of Tennessee).

Skirmish at Cleveland, TN, where the attacking Rebels force a Union retreat. Lieut. Jacob Bedtelyon, 4th MI Cavalry is very fortunate as his chest is only bruised from a spent Confederate minie ball.

Federal scouts near Dandridge, TN, and skirmish, the Knoxville, TN, Campaign. (Dec 22-23)

Confederate winter quarters are established at and about Russellville, TN, by Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet, CSA, effectively ending the Knoxville, TN, Campaign.

1864

James Edward Harrison, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

John Doby Kennedy, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds, USA, supersedes Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele in the command of the Dept. of Arkansas.

Skirmish on Franklin Creek, MS.

Skirmish at Duck River, TN, as Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, USA, pursues the retreating Lieut. Gen. John B. Hood, CSA.

The Union forces under Maj. Gen. George Stoneman, USA, retire from Saltville, VA.

Born on this day
1805, Joseph Smith, US leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, better known as the Mormons, who claimed he had been directed by an angel to buried golden plates written by Indians who were descendants of the Biblical Hebrews.
1812, Samuel Smiles, English author of Self Help (1859) which sold over 250,000 copies, followed by other self-improvement books such as Thrift (1875) which were meant as the tools of Victorian virtues.

December 23
1861

Cols. James Abram Garfield and Marshall's, USA, Operations in Eastern Kentucky. (Dec 23-Jan 30)

Union forces advance from Louisa, KY.

Skirmish at Dayton, MO.

Federal Expedition to Lexington, MO, by Brig. Gen. John Pope, USA, and his Cavalry.

1862

Skirmish on the St. Francis Road, near Helena, AR, with the Texas Rangers surprising the Union outpost pickets, killing and capturing 18.

Maj. Gen. Simon Buckner, CSA, assumes the command of the District of the Gulf, LA.

Skirmish at Ripley, MS.

Federal operations in the Sugar Creek Hills, MO, in pursuit of various Rebel guerrilla bands. (Dec 23-31)

Lieut. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, CSA, resumes the command of the Dept. of East Tennessee.

Skirmish near Nashville, TN, as the Confederates continue to harass the Union foraging parties, this time by the Texas Rangers, who capture the advance vedette of Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's, USA.

Because of his treatment of New Orleans, LA, citizens while the Union Military Governor there, President Jefferson Davis declares Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, a felon, punishable by death, if captured by the Confederates.

1863

Skirmish at Jacksonport, AR.

Skirmish near Corinth, MS, where the Confederates ambush the 3rd IL Cavalry, who suffer casualties.

Lieut. Gen. Leonidas Polk, CSA, assumes the command of the "Dept. of the Southwest" (Mississippi, and East Louisiana).

Confederate attack on Centreville, MO, and the pursuit of the Confederates, including a skirmish (Dec 25) at Pulliam's, whereby the Federals recaptured the men taken by the Rebels. (Dec 23-25)

Federal reconnaissance from Blain's Cross-Roads to Powder Spring Gap, TN.

Skirmish at Mulberry Village, TN, where a Confederate party captures a Union forage train and 6 Federals, tie their hands behind their backs and shoot them execution style. One Federal Lieutenant escapes by diving into the river but suffers critically from exposure to the cold. The Federals pick the remaining men out of the river; only one other survived. One young lad had an aged destitute mother depending upon him for support.

Skirmish near Culpeper Court House, VA.

1864

Federal expedition from Baton Rouge to Clinton, LA. (Dec 23-24)

The USS Louisiana, loaded with 350 tons of explosives, is blown up near Fort Fisher, Wilmington, NC, with no damage to the fort. So much for that idea.

Skirmish at Warfield's, near Columbia, TN.

The US Government honors Daniel G. Farragut's naval role by promoting him to the newly created rank of Vice Admiral-the Army equivalent of Lieut. Gen.

Born on this day:
1809, (Christopher) Kit Carson, US frontiersman, trapper, scout, Indian agent and national folk hero who played an important part in the westward expansion of the US. He served the Union cause during the Civil War and was made a colonel. Carson City, Nevada, was named after him.

1814, The war of 1812 between the US and Britain was brought to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent
(this news did not arrive until after the Battle of New Orleans.)
1851, Part of the Capitol building in Washington and the entire Library of Congress was destroyed by fire

December 24
1861

Raleigh Edward Colston, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Skirmish at Wadesburg, MO.

Federal scout towards Fairfax Court-House, VA. (Dec 24-25)

1862

James Hewett Ledlie, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen., arguably one of the worst generals of the war, and was in command and responsible for the disaster at the "Crater" outside Petersburg, VA, on July 30, 1864.

Federal expedition from Helena, AR, to the Tallahatchie, MS.

Skirmish at, and occupation of Glasgow, KY, by Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan, CSA, and his Confederate Cavalry Raiders.

Skirmishes at Bolivar and Middleburg, TN.

Skirmish near Nashville, TN.

Federal expedition into East Tennessee, and skirmish at Perkins' Mill, on Elk Fort, Dec 28, (Dec 24-Jan 1)

Galveston, TX, is occupied by Union forces.

The 18th US Army Corps is constituted, under the command of Maj. Gen. John Gray Foster, USA, the Dept. of North Carolina.

1863

Skirmish at Rodney, MS.

Federal scout from Cassville, MO, to ascertain the movements of Col. Stand Watie, CSA, and his Indians. (Dec 24-29)

Skirmish at Estenaula, TN, between Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson's, USA, Cavalry and Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's, CSA, Cavalry.

Action at Hay's Ferry, near Dandridge, TN.

Skirmish at Jack's Creek, TN, between Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson's, USA, Cavalry and Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's, CSA, Cavalry.

Operations near Mossy Creek and Dandridge, TN. (Dec 24-28 )

Skirmishes at Peck's House, near New Market, and at Mossy Creek Station, TN.

Affair near Germantown, VA, as mounted Confederate irregulars again swoop in and capture the 4 vedettes stationed on the road near Germantown, in the Fairfax, VA, area.

Skirmish in Lee County, VA.

1864

Skirmish near Fort Smith, AR.

Federal scout from Pine Bluff to Richland, AR, with skirmish (Dec. 24) near Richland. (Dec 24-25)

Skirmish at Lynnville, TN.

Action at Richland Creek, TN.

Skirmish at Taylorstown, VA.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, resumes the command of the Army of the James, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.

1776, Washington crosses the Delaware and surprises the Hessians.


And For this day a little aside


1800, The first Christmas tree in Britain was erected at Queen’s Lodge, Windsor by the German-born Queen Charlotte, wife of George III who brought the idea over from Germany where the first reports of Christmas trees go back to 1521.

December 25
1861

Skirmish at Glider's Ferry, Cumberland River, KY.

Skirmish at Fort Frederick, MD.

Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, USA, commanding the District of Southeast Missouri, orders all fugitive slaves to be expelled from Fort Holt, KY.

Brig. Gen. Samuel Ryan Curtis, USA, is assigned to the command of the Southwestern District of Missouri.

Federal expedition to Danville, MO, by Col. George G. Todd, 10th MO Infantry.

The Confederate blockade runner schooner, William H. Northrup, is captured off Cape Fear, NC, by the USS Fernandina.

Skirmish at Cherry Run, WV.

1862

Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's Federal expedition from Milliken's Bend, LA, to Dallas Station and Delhi, LA, in their operations against Vicksburg, MS. (Dec 25-26)

Skirmish at Bear Wallow, KY, with Brig. Gen John H. Morgan, CSA

The capture of Glasgow, KY, by Brig. Gen. John H.Morgan, CSA.

Skirmish on the Burkesville road, near Green's Chapel, KY, with Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan's Confederate Cavalry.

Skirmish at Ripley, MS.

Skirmish at Prim's blacksmith shop, Edmondson Pike, TN, with the Union party out foraging for corn.

Skirmish on the Wilson Creek Pike, between Brentwood and Petersburg, TN, as Brig. Gen. John A. Wharton, CSA, Cavalry attacks the Union foraging party.

Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, USA, assumes the command of the 5th US Army Corps, the Army of the Potomac, VA.

Skirmish near Warrenton, VA.

Federal reconnaissance from Martinsburg to Charlestown, WV.

President Abraham and Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln spends part of their Christmas day visiting wounded soldiers in various Washington, DC, hospitals.

1863

Skirmish with Indians near Fort Gaston, CA.

Engagement at Fort Brooke, FL, with the Federal attack by on the fort by the gunboat, Tahoma and an unnamed schooner.

The destruction of the Confederate Salt-works on Bear Inlet, NC, and another 2 miles up towards Swansborough, as the Federals travel aboard the gunboats Howquah and Daylight. The Union men suffered intensely from the cold, having to wade from the boats to shore.

A Confederate attack inflict severe damages on the USS Marblehead, in Stono River, off Legareville and near John's Island, SC. The USS Pawnee tries to render assistance.

Federal scout from Vienna to Leesburg, VA, and skirmish, as the Federals go house to house looking for any of Mosby's Partisans, and capturing 8 men in the process. (Dec 25-27)

Brig. Gen. William W. Averell's, USA, Cavalry command reaches Beverly, WV, effectively ending his raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, (Dec 9-25)

1864

Engagement at Verona, MS, with Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson's Union expedition.

Actions at King's (or Anthony's) Hill, or Devil's Gap, TN, with the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

Skirmish at Richland Creek, TN, with Lieut. Gen. John B. Hood, CSA.

Skirmish near White's Station, TN, with Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, USA, as about 100 men of his advance guard are surrounded and captured by the Confederates; the Federals not suspecting that large of a Rebel force in the area. In many instances of these captures, the Rebels, unable to provide for their prisoners, parole them; the Union commanders refuse to recognize these paroles and send these men back into the action, in lieu of releasing them from their military assignment.

1492, 1st Spanish settlement in New World founded, by Columbus


And

if that coffe just don,t taste like it used to:
1865, James Nason invents the first American coffee percolator.

December 26
1860

The United States troops, under the command of Maj. Robert Robert Anderson, US Army, are transferred from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC.

The United States Revenue Cutter, the William Aiken, surrenders to the South Carolina state forces, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC.

1861

Brig. Gen. Philip St. George Cocke, CSA, commits suicide at his home, "Belmead," Powhatan County, VA, after having his health deteriorate for 8 months in the field.

Engagement at Chustenahlah, Indian Territory, Cherokee Nation, between Confederates and some Pro-Union Creek Indians led by Hopoeithleyohola.

Martial law is proclaimed in Saint Louis, MO, and in and about all railroads in the State of Missouri, is issued by Maj. Gen. Henry Wager Halleck, USA.

The US Government orders the release of James Mason and John Slidell from Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, MA.

1862

Skirmish at Bacon Creek, near Munfordville, KY, with Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan, CSA.

The capture of the Union stockade at Nolin, KY, by Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan, CSA.

The Federal capture of a guerrilla camp in the eastern part of Powell County, KY.

President Abraham Lincoln decides not to stay the execution of 38 Sioux Indians for the Minnesota uprising and are hanged at Mankato, MN.

The Stone's River, or Murfreesborough Tennessee, Campaign. (Dec 26-Jan 5)

Skirmish at Franklin, TN, and the following Tennessee locations as Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, USA, advances towards Gen. Braxton Bragg, CSA, who is at Murfreesboro, TN. This is the beginning of the Stone's River, Campaign.

Skirmish at Knob Gap, TN.

Skirmish at La Vergne.TN.

Mutiny of the Anderson Cavalry, around Nashville, TN, of men from Pennsylvania.

Skirmish at Nolensville, TN.

Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, USA, supersedes Gen. Darius N. Couch in the command of the 2nd US Army Corps, the Army of the Potomac, VA.

1863

William Anderson Pile, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

Skirmish at Sand Mountain, AL.

Skirmish with Indians near Fort Gaston, CA.

Skirmish near Fort Gibson, the Indian Territory.

The CSS Alabama, captures and burns two large vessels, the Highlander, and the Sonora, near the Straits of Malacca.

Skirmish at Port Gibson, MS.

Federal scout from Forsyth, MO, to Batesville, AR. (Dec 26-Jan 2)

Federal scout from Salem, MO, against guerrillas. (Dec 26-28 )

Skirmish at Mossy Creek, TN.

Skirmish near New Castle, TN, between Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson's, USA, Cavalry and Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's, CSA, Cavalry.

Skirmish at Somerville, TN, between Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson's, USA, Cavalry and Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's, CSA, Cavalry.

1864

Federal expedition against Indians in Central Arizona, with skirmish (Jan 1st) at Sycamore Springs, the Arizona Territory. (Dec 26 - Jan 1)

Action at Sugar Creek, TN, as Lieut. Gen. John B. Hood, CSA, and the remnants of the Confederate Army of Tennessee cross the Tennessee River towards Tupelo, MS, signifying the end to Hood's campaign north. Hood's a total failure while Sherman's a complete success after the fall of Atlanta, GA.

Federal scout from Fairfax Court-House to Hopewell Gap, VA, with the Federals capturing two soldiers belonging to the 4th VA Cavalry at Thoroughfare Gap, at Mrs. Lewis' house. (Dec 26-27)

1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regards to native Indians in the New World.
1814 - Destruction of schooner Carolina, the last of Commodore Daniel Patterson's make-shift fleet that fought a series of delaying actions that contributed to Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans.
1845 - Ether anesthetic is used for childbirth for the first time by Dr. Crawford Williamson Long in Jefferson, Georgia.

December 27
1860

Castle Pickney and Fort Moultrie are seized by the South Carolina state troops, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC.

1861

Nolle prosequi entered in Brownlow's case, and he is discharged from civil into military custody, East TN.

Skirmish near Hallsville, MO, with Brig. Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss, USA.

Confederate skirmish with Creeks and Seminoles in Indian Territory, by Col. Stand Watie, CSA, 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles, Cherokee Nation.

1862

William Hays, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

The capture of the Union forces at Elizabethtown, KY, by Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan, CSA.

Skirmishes at Chickasaw Bayou, MS, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, continues to advance on Vicksburg. (Dec 27-28 )

Affair at Snyder's Mill, Yazoo River, MS, as Lieut. Gen. John Pemberton, CSA, contests Maj. Gen. William Sherman's advance.

Skirmish at Elizabeth City, NC.

Skirmish at Franklin, TN.

Skirmish near Huntingdon, TN, with Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

Skirmish on the Jefferson Pike, at Stewart's Creek Bridge, TN.

Skirmish on the Murfreesborough Pike, at Stewart's Creek Bridge, TN, as Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans marches on.

Skirmish at Triune, TN.

Federal Raid on Dumfries and Fairfax Station, VA, including action at Dumfries and skirmishes at and near Occoquan, at Fairfax Court-House, Chantilly, Frying Pan, etc. (Dec 27-29)

1863

Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA, assumes the command of the Confederate Dept. of Tennessee, at Dalton, GA.

President Lincoln spends the day visiting Confederate P.O.W.'s at Point Lookout, MD.

Federal expedition from Newport Barracks to Young's Cross-Roads, Swansborough, and Jackson, NC. (Dec 27-29)

Skirmish at Huntingdon, TN.

Skirmish at Talbott's Station, TN.

Skirmish between Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson's, USA, Cavalry and Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's, CSA, Cavalry, at the following places:
a) at Collierville, TN
b) at Grisson's Bridge, TN
c) at La Fayette, TN
d) near Moscow, TN

1864

Skirmish at Decatur, AL.

Federal scout from Pine Bluff to Simpson's Plantation, AR.

After extensive naval bombardment of Fort Fisher and the landing of an expeditionary force, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler's, USA, infantry, under Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames, USA, are transported back to Fortress Monroe, VA, aboard the ocean transports, C. Thomas and Wedbosset, and the steamers, Baltic, Haze, Idahoe, S. Moore, Peril, and the Starlight. Butler's plan to take Fort Fisher and close the sole remaining Confederate port of Wilmington, NC, is a total failure, not uncommon for this Union general.

Skirmish at Okolona, MS, with Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson, USA.

Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge's, USA, command reaches Pound Gap, VA, after taking part in Maj. Gen. George Stoneman's expedition into Southwestern Virginia.

1832 - John C. Calhoun becomes the first Vice President of the United States to resign.
1835 - Osceola leads his Seminole warriors in Florida into the Second Seminole War against the United States Army.
1836 - Spain recognizes the independence of Mexico
1846 - Iowa is admitted as the 29th U.S. state.

December 28
1861

Federal expedition to Camp Beauregard and Viola, KY, by Brig. Gen. Lewis Wallace, USA (Dec 28-31)

Action at Sacramento, KY, with Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden, USA, fighting Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest's, CSA, Cavalry.

Action at Mount Zion Church, MO, with Brig. Gen. Benjamin Mayberry Prentiss, USA.

Beckley (or Raleigh Court-House), WV, is occupied by the Union forces.

1862

Skirmish at Dripping Springs, and the capture of Van Buren, AR, where Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt, USA, soundly defeats Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman, CSA, including the destruction of the Rebel steamboats, Notre, Key West and Rose Douglass. Hindman also burns the steamers, Eva and Arkansas.

Skirmish at Muldraugh's Hill, KY, (near Fort Knox) with Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan's Confederates blowing up a bridge, near President Abraham Lincoln's birthplace.

Maj. Gen. Franklin Gardner, CSA, assumes the command at Port Hudson, LA.

Union forces evacuate New Madrid, MO.

Skirmishes near Suffolk and at Providence Church, VA.

1863

Skirmish at Mount Pleasant, MS.

Affair on John's Island, SC, with a Union naval gunboat shelling the Confederate batteries and positions.

Action at Calhoun and skirmish at Charleston, TN, as Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler's, CSA, Confederate Cavalry attacks Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, USA, commanding the Dept. of the Cumberland's supply train.

Federal expedition from Nashville, TN, up the Cumberland River aboard 2 Union gunboats and 3 transports, to Creelsborough, KY, against Confederate guerrillas. (Dec 28-Jan 4)

Federal scouts from Vienna to Hopewell Gap, White Plains, etc, VA, and skirmish with some of Maj. John Singleton Mosby's Virginia Partisan Rangers, in addition to a company of the Black Horse Cavalry. (Dec 28-31)

Skirmish at Moorefield, WV.

1864

The Engagement at Egypt, MS, with Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson, USA.

Skirmish near Decatur, AL.

1778 - American Revolutionary War: 3,500 British soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell captures Savannah, Georgia without firing a shot.
1812 - The USS Constitution under the command of Captain William Bainbridge, captures the HMS Java off the coast of Brazil after a three hour battle.
1813 - British soldiers burn Buffalo, New York during the War of 1812.
1835 - The Treaty of New Echota is signed, ceding all the lands of the Cherokee east of the Mississippi River to the United States.
1845 - Texas is admitted as the 28th U.S. state.
1851 - The first American YMCA opens in Boston, Massachusetts.
and importantly in respect of Naval power
1860 - The first British seagoing iron-clad warship, HMS Warrior is launched.

December 29
1861

Confederate scout after Hopoeithleyohola in the Indian Territory, with skirmishing continuing with the Pro-Union Creek Indians, who were leaving the Indian Territory, headed for Kansas, and being pursued by the Pro-southern Indian Nation tribes of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole. (Dec 29-Jan 4)

Confederate descent upon Commerce, MO, and the unsuccessful attack on the steamer City of Alton, by Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson's Partisan Confederates.

The Federal capture of Suttonville (Braxton Court-House), and skirmishes in the following WV counties:
a) Braxton
b) Clay
c) Webster

1862

John Adams, CSA, is appointed to Brig. Gen.

William Hicks Jackson, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

The capture of the Union stockade at Boston, KY, by Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan, CSA.

Skirmish near Johnson's Ferry (or Hamilton's Ford), Rolling Fork, KY, with Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan, CSA.

Affair near Plaquemine, LA, with Union cavalry.

Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's Federal assault on Chickasaw Bluffs, MS, in the vicinity of Vicksburg, is repulsed by the Confederates with massive Federal casualties.

Skirmish at Huntingdon, TN, with Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

Skirmish at Lizzard's, between Triune and Murfreesborough, TN.

The passage of Moccasin Gap, and the capture of Confederates on the Blountsville road, TN, by Brig. Gen. Samuel Carter's, USA, raid.

Skirmishes near Murfreesborough, TN. (Dec 29-30)

Skirmish at Wilkinson's Cross-Roads (or Wilkerson's Cross-Roads), TN.

1863

The Confederate attack on Waldron, AR, is repelled.

Skirmish at Coldwater, MS.

Federal scout to Bean's Station, TN, where it is reported only small bands of Confederates are in the immediate vicinity.

Skirmish at Cleveland, TN.

Skirmish at La Vergne, TN.

Action at Mossy Creek, TN, where the Federals report incurring 109 casualties.

Skirmish at Talbott's Station, TN.

Skirmish on the Matagorda Peninsula, TX, including the US gunboats, USS Monongahela, Granite City, Sciota, and the destruction of the Confederate gunboat, CSS Carr.

Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, USA, resumes the command of the 2nd US Army Corps, the Army of the Potomac, VA.

1864

Skirmish at Hillsborough, AL, as the few remaining fire fights with the Confederate Army of Tennessee take place.

Skirmish at Pond Spring, AL.

Brig. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem's, USA, command reaches Knoxville, TN, after taking part in Maj. Gen. George Stoneman's expedition into Southwestern Virginia.