Union - government
General Burnside consults with President Lincoln on the general's plans to launch another assault across the Rahannock. Burnside then wrote a frank, open, modest letter stating that officers and men lacked faith in Secretary of War Stanton, in Halleck, and in himself. Burnside pointed out that not a single grand division commander agreed with his plan and that in view of that he believed he should retire to private life, to "promote the public good."
Lincoln goaded Halleck into deciding on the military plan and this provoked a resignation from the General-in-Chief. However, both Halleck and Burnside ended up staying.
"I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free."
Thus read the final Emancipation Proclamation of Jan 1, putting into effect President Lincoln's preliminary proclamation of Sept 22, 1862. (Of course, the slaves wouldn't be free until Union troops took over Confederate states.)
At the end of the day, Lincoln hosted the traditional New Year's Day reception at the White House.
Union - Civilian
In Tremont Temple, Boston, people met in celebration of the news of the proclamation, in Norfolk, VA the black population marched through the town with a Union flag at their head.
Confederate - Civilian
South Carolina
At Charleston, a Robert Yeadon offers $10,000 reward for the capture and delivery of Benjamin Butler, dead or alive.
Confederacy - Military
Texas
Before dawn on the lowlands around Galveston, Confederate John B. Magruder with troops and improvised gunboats, attack the Union-held city and its flotilla. After about 4 hours the city surrenders. Harriet Lane, her top officers killed, was captured, and Westfield was blown up by its crew. Other Union ships escaped, but the blockade was temporarily disrupted.
Union - Military
Tennessee
At Murfreesboro, the armies of Bragg and Rosecrans were poised, awaiting renewal of the struggle along Stone's River. Some troops were shifted and Bragg made a slight indication of attack.
There are skirmishes at La Vergne, Stewart's Creek, and Clifton.
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Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971
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