Compiled by Jim Hachtel, President
Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable
November 4, 1862 - Midterm elections in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Wisconsin result in significant Democratic Party gains but are offset by Republican gains in California and Michigan. The Republican Party retains control of the House of Representatives.
November 4, 1862 - Union troops occupy LaGrange, Tennessee prior to a final push to Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Grant plans to join the rest of his large army currently at Grand Junction, Tennessee, just 5 miles from Lagrange, and descend on Vicksburg.
November 4, 1862 - The rapid fire Gatling gun receives first government patents. The weapon was functional by the end of the war but rarely used.
November 5, 1862 - President Lincoln orders General Ambrose E. Burnsides to replace General George McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac.
November 5, 1862 - General James S. Nagley leads Union troops against General Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry near Nashville, Tennessee.
November 6, 1862 - Generals James Longstreet and Thomas J. Jackson are named commanders of the 1st and 2nd Army Corps of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, respectively.
November 6, 1862 - General Grant sends scouts into Mississippi to lead his army toward Vicksburg.
November 6, 1862 - Federal forces from Fort Scott, Kansas attempt to disburse or capture guerrillas led by William C. Quantrill.
November 7, 1862 - George B. McClellan formally steps down as commander of the Army of the Potomac but is adored by his troops that call him "Little Mac."
November 7, 1862 - The Army of the Mississippi re-organizes with General Leonidas Polk becoming 1st Corps commander and General William J. Hardee, 2nd Corps commander.
November 7, 1862 - General Rosecrans begins to move his Army of the Cumberland from Kentucky to Nashville, Tennessee. November 7, 1862 - The Ellet Rams are transferred from the War Department to the Mississippi Squadron as urged by Admiral David D. Porter. The move is authorized by President Lincoln.
November 8, 1862 - At New Orleans, General Benjamin Butler is replaced by General Nathaniel P. Banks as commander of the Department of the Gulf. Butler makes one last controversial decision by closing all breweries and distilleries, claiming the New Orleans' celebration of his dismissal could become a riot.
November 8, 1862 - The crew of the Confederate raider CSS Alabama captures and burns the Union vessel 'T.B. Wales' near Bermuda.
November 8, 1862 - General Grant begins his move into Mississippi with the ultimate destination of Vicksburg, some 210 miles away.
November 9, 1862 - General Ambrose E. Burnside becomes commander of the Army of the Potomac after initially trying to refuse the position. He sends a Cavalry scout unit to Fredericksburg, Virginia where they capture 54 Confederate prisoners and prove the defenses are weak. He plans further offensive moves.
November 9, 1862 - Greenville, North Carolina is captured by a joint Army/Navy landing party from the USS Louisiana.
November 10, 1862 - General Joseph Hooker takes command of the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac replacing General Fritz John Porter. Porter faces court martial charges for his failure to follow orders at Second Bull Run (Second Manassas).
November 10, 1862 - General George McClellan bids farewell to the Army of the Potomac at Warrenton, Virginia.
