Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
165 YEARS AGO: John R. Baylor establishes the new Confederate Territory of Arizona, and Henry H. Sibley prepares to launch his own Confederate campaign into the Southwest.
165 YEARS AGO: George B. McClellan develops a Federal war strategy while complaining that Winfield Scott is standing in his way.
Detachments of opposing forces clash in southwestern Missouri, foreshadowing a larger fight in the near future.
165 YEARS AGO: Political turmoil and military maneuvering continue in the bitterly divided state of Missouri.
165 YEARS AGO: News of the previous day’s Confederate victory at Bull Run prompts celebrations in the South and depression in the North. An influential New York publisher writes a desperate letter to President Lincoln asking him to consider seeking peace with the South.
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Confederate forces cross the Rio Grande and confront Federals at Fort Fillmore in their effort to conquer the New Mexico Territory.