Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: A detachment of George B. McClellan’s Federal army attacks an isolated portion of Robert S. Garnett’s Confederate army near Beverly in northwestern Virginia.
165 YEARS AGO: The standoff in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley continues. Federal General Robert Patterson feebly tries to engage Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates, but Johnston has other ideas.
165 YEARS AGO: Henry H. Sibley tries to persuade Jefferson Davis that he could lead a force into the New Mexico Territory and claim her for the Confederacy.
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Heavy skirmishing erupts at the foot of Laurel Hill as George B. McClellan’s Federals prepared to attack Robert S. Garnett’s Confederate defenders. Garnett expresses doubt about his capability to defend against the advancing enemy, as McClellan strategizes for an impending battle at Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain.
165 YEARS AGO: The C.S.S. Sumter completes her first raid on U.S. shipping, Federals strengthen their blockade, and a Federal crew takes on Confederate privateers.
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: The 37th Congress of the United States assembles at President Abraham Lincoln’s request. The Republicans hold a strong majority, but they are split between conservatives wanting to wage war only to reunite the Union and radicals seeking to wage war to end slavery.