LYCOS RETRIEVER 
1863: Civil War
built 221 days ago
After the Confederate success at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May of 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee expressed his desire to again take the fight north. Although their victories both impressed and inspired the southern soldiers and their citizen supports, the presence of two large armies savaged the countryside. Perhaps a victory on northern ground would allow for this long war's end. It would at least allow Virginia a respite from the constant foraging of tens of thousands of soldiers and their animals.
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Draft riots continue to rock New York City The draft riot enters its fourth day in New York City in response to the Enrollment Act, which was enacted on March 3, 1863. Although avoiding military service became much more difficult, wealthier citizens could still pay a commutation fee of $300 to stay at home. Irritation with the draft dovetailed with opposition to the Emancipation Proclamation of September 1862, which made abolition of slavery the central goal of the war for the Union. Particularly vocal in their opposition were the Democratic Irish, who felt the war was being forced upon them by Protestant Republicans and feared that emancipation of slaves would jeopardize their jobs. Their fears were confirmed when black laborers replaced striking Irish dock workers the month before the riots.
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Although it was created for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal of Honor a permanent decoration in 1863. 1,520 Medals were awarded during the Civil War, 1,195 to the Army, 308 to the Navy ,17 to the Marines. 25 Medals were awarded posthumously.
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