Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
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.
165 YEARS AGO: Secessionists defeat a Federal detachment in a minor clash as both sides scramble to link with their main forces in southwestern Missouri.
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: The Confederate government acquired a merchant steamer and converted her into a naval cruiser named the C.S.S. Sumter. Led by Captain Raphael Semmes, the Sumter runs the Federal blocked and enters the Gulf of Mexico to begin her career of waging war on U.S. shipping.
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: President Abraham Lincoln holds a special cabinet meeting in which General Irvin McDowell explains his plan to invade northern Virginia, crush the Confederate army, and capture Richmond.
Federal forces crack down on suspected secessionism in Baltimore in the ongoing effort to keep Maryland in the Union.