Second Military District facts for kids

The Second Military District was a special area set up by the U.S. Army right after the American Civil War. It was like a temporary government run by the military. This district was created as part of the Reconstruction plan. Reconstruction was a time when the U.S. government worked to rebuild the Southern states and bring them back into the country.

Map of the five Reconstruction military districts      First Military District      Second Military District      Third Military District      Fourth Military District      Fifth Military District

This district included the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The military took charge because the regular state governments needed to be rebuilt. The main office for the Second Military District was in Charleston, South Carolina.

The first leader of this district was Major General Daniel Sickles. But President Andrew Johnson removed him in August 1867. Then, Brigadier General Edward Canby took over. He was in command until North Carolina and South Carolina were fully back in the United States in July 1868.

After the Second Military District finished its work, a new military unit called the Department of the South took its place.