January 17, 1864---The Battle of Dandridge, Tennessee

JANUARY 17, 1864:           

The Battle of Dandridge, Tennessee. To stop Confederate troops from moving back into Tennessee, Union forces engage troops belonging to General James Longstreet’s Command. The Confederates manage to push the Federals back to their initial staging point, but a shortage of ammunition, food and shoes precludes any follow-up action by Longstreet’s forces, and they remain in and around Dandridge. Fearing a massed attack, the Union commander breaks off, leaving the Confederates with a toehold in Tennessee. 

January 16, 1864---Pardons

JANUARY 16, 1864:            

President Lincoln personally approves a pardon for Confederate Private John S. Ennis based on a petition from Unionist Kentucky Congressman Henry Grider. Ennis was also from Lincoln’s birth State, and both Grider and Ennis came from prominent political families. Just as he had with ex-Confederate Josiah Pillsbury ten days before, Lincoln uses the Pardon Power to advance Reconstruction.