Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: John C. Fremont, commanding the Federal Military Department of the West, issues controversial orders imposing martial law throughout Missouri and authorizing Federal troops to confiscate the property of disloyal Missourians, including slaves.
165 YEARS AGO: The first Federal joint army-navy expedition of the war sets out to close one of North Carolina’s busiest ports.
165 YEARS AGO: At the Second Wheeling Convention, representatives of Virginia’s northwestern counties approve seceding from the state and forming the new state of Kanawha, despite constitutional violations regarding state formation.
165 YEARS AGO: Tensions escalate as Union camps challenge the supposed neutrality of Kentucky. This leads to growing conflict between Unionists and secessionists.
165 YEARS AGO: Both the Federal government and the people in the North step up scrutiny of anti-war sentiment, and constitutional guarantees are threatened.
165 YEARS AGO: Generals John B. Floyd and Henry A. Wise, both former Virginia governors, struggle to unite their divided forces against a Federal advance. Despite pressure from Robert E. Lee, Wise resists joining Floyd, resulting in ongoing disputes and operational delays.