7 November 1862: Friday

Union - Government/Military
At 11:30 pm an officer from Washington appeared McClellan's Rectortown, Virginia, headquarters with the orders of November 5 removing him from command and turning the Army of the Potomac over to Ambrose E. Burnside.

McClellan, surprised, stunned, hurt, wrote, "I am sure that not the slightest expression of feeling was visible on my face." He added, "Poor Burnside feels dreadfully, almost crazy - I am sorry for him." The military career of the most controversial general of the Civil War was ended. He was replaced by a competent, "rather stodgy" officer who professed no desire for the command and who tried to turn it down.

In other presidential action, Lincoln placed the ram fleet on the Mississippi under navy control despite War Department objections.

Confederates - Military/Government
General Bragg resumes command of the Army of the Mississippi after a brief absence, put one army corps under former bishop Leonidas Polk and the other under William Hardee.

Union - Military
Kentucky/Tennessee
Rosecrans moved the Army of the Cumberland to Nashville from Kentucky.

Tennessee
There are skirmishes at Gallatin, Tyree Springs, and White Range.

Arkansas
There are skirmishes at Boonesborough, Rhea Mill's, and Marianna.

Missouri
There is a skirmish at Clark's Mill in Douglas County.

Georgia
There is a skirmish at Spaulding's or Sapello River in Georgia.
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Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971