December, 1862

The month of December was filled with political unrest and battles in both the east and west.  In the west, General Grant began his Vicksburg campaign that would eventually prove successful.  Meanwhile, in the east, things were going badly for the North as they were soundly defeated in the battle of Fredericksburg.  In the world of politics, President Lincoln proposed three amendments that would gradually end slavery by 1900, allow slaves freed in the war to remain free, and pay for blacks to go across the Atlantic into Africa.  Also, the congress voted to reorganize Lincoln's cabinet, leading to the resignation of some members of the cabinet.  Back out west, Grant issued his most controversial order that removed all Jews from his department.

Source:
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186209