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Introduced by Democratic Congressman David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, the Wilmot Proviso would have banned the extension of slavery into any territories Mexico ceded to the U.S. after the Mexican-American War. Although never enacted by Congress, the Wilmot Proviso hastened the division of the American political landscape along sectional lines, ultimately contributing to the onset of the Civil War.

Key facts about the Wilson-Kautz Cavalry raid of 1864.

Part of the Petersburg Campaign, the Wilson-Kautz Raid (June 22–July 1, 1864) was a Union cavalry foray into the area southwest of Petersburg, Virginia, designed to destroy railroad track and facilities critical to supplying the Army of Northern Virginia encamped at Richmond.

Date August 10, 1861 Location Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Missouri Campaign Operations to Control Missouri Principal Confederate Commanders Major General Sterling Price…

Fought on August 10, 1861, the Battle of Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River and the scene of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in combat.

Fought on May 25, 1862, the First Battle of Winchester was the fourth engagement and third Confederate victory of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862.

Key facts about the Second Battle of Winchester (June 13 – June 15, 1863), which cleared the upper Shenandoah Valley of Union resistance, paving the way for Robert E. Lee's invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

The Confederate victory at the Second Battle of Winchester (June 13 – June 15, 1863) cleared the upper Shenandoah Valley of Union resistance, paving the way for Robert E. Lee's invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Thomas J. Wood was a prominent Union general who participated in nearly every major campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.

Key facts about Thomas J. Wood, a prominent Union general who participated in nearly every major campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.

David Wooster was a Connecticut militia leader who served in King George’s War, the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. He died in 1777, during the American Revolution, soon after the Battle of Ridgefield.

A prominent general officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, Horatio Wright served briefly as commander of the Department of the Ohio from August 19, 1862 to March 12, 1863.

Key facts about Horatio Wright, a prominent general officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, who served briefly as commander of the Department of the Ohio from August 19, 1862 to March 12, 1863.

Biography of George Wythe, Founding Father and Signer of the Declaration of Independence George Wythe was a lawyer, teacher, and…

Facts about the XYZ Affair, including dates, participants, the impact, and more interesting details you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the event and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic scandal between France and the United States that resulted in a limited, undeclared naval war with France known as the Quasi-War. The scandal also contributed to sectionalism and the concept of Nullification, which were direct causes of the American Civil War.

Facts about the Battle of Yorktown, including dates, casualties, participants, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the siege and battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

In the decisive battle of the American Revolution, Cornwallis surrendered his army to Washington on October 19, 1781 at Yorktown.

Tennessee-native Felix Zollicoffer was a newspaperman, congressman, and Confederate general who was killed at the Battle of Mill Springs during the American Civil War.

Key facts about Tennessee-native Felix Zollicoffer, a newspaperman, congressman, and Confederate general who was killed at the Battle of Mill Springs during the American Civil War.