Executive Orders

On August 4, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive authorizing a draft of 300,000 militia be immediately called into the service of the United States.

On April 27, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive authorizing General Winfield Scott to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if necessary to ensure the public safety between Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

On June 26, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation that merged the forces commanded by major generals John C. Fremont, Nathaniel Banks, and Irvin McDowell, as well as those under Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis, to form the Army of Virginia, commanded by Major General John Pope.

On May 18, 1864, President Lincoln issued an executive order commanding Major General John A. Dix to arrest and imprison the editors, proprietors, and publishers of the New York World and New York Journal of Commerce newspapers for printing false stories giving comfort to the enemies of the U.S.

On July 30, 1863, President Lincoln issued an executive order mandating that for every U.S. soldier killed in violation of the laws of war, a Rebel soldier would be executed.

On July 11, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order naming Major General Henry Halleck as General-in-Chief of all U.S. land forces.

On March 10, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order appointing Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to command the armies of the United States.

On August 8, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order prohibiting citizens liable for the draft from leaving the United States, and suspending the writ of habeas corpus for persons arrested for disloyal practices.

On November 5, 1862, President Lincoln issued an executive order replacing George B. McClellan with Ambrose E. Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac.

On September 3, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order offering the thanks of the nation to William T. Sherman for his successful campaign in Georgia that led to the capture of Atlanta.

On May 7, 1865, President Andrew Johnson issued an executive order appointing John A. Bingham as a special judge-advocate for the prosecution of President Abraham Lincoln's accused assassins.

On July 5, 1841, U.S. President John Tyler issued an executive order appointing Major General Winfield Scott as General of the Army.

On July 2, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive authorizing General Winfield Scott to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if necessary to ensure the public safety between New York City and Washington, DC.