Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
165 YEARS AGO: The Unionist Kentucky legislature demands that Confederates leave the state, but Leonidas Polk refuses unless the Federals do the same.
165 YEARS AGO: The Confederacy continues working to get support from Great Britain, even at the cost of holding the British economy hostage. Meanwhile, President Jefferson Davis reassigns diplomats to strengthen European relations as U.S. officials worry about potential recognition of Confederate independence.
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Joseph E. Johnston sends Jefferson Davis an angry letter protesting his ranking among the full Confederate generals. This causes a permanent rift between the two.
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Fearing Maryland’s potential secession after the Confederate victory at Bull Run, Federals use military force to prevent the Maryland legislature from approving anti-Union legislation.
165 YEARS AGO: William S. Rosecrans’s Federals clash with John B. Floyd’s Confederates as Rosecrans tries to strengthen his foothold in western Virginia.
165 YEARS AGO: After six days, John C. Fremont finally responds to Abraham Lincoln’s request to modify clauses in his controversial Missouri proclamation.