Today’s Franklin, Virginia newspaper summarizes the post-war trajectory of local freedmen in Methodist and Baptist life in Staunton since the end of the war, describing an unusually cooperative arrangement between the city’s white and black Baptists. “At the recent session of the Methodist Conference in Washington, Bishop Simpson and a colored preacher, the Rev. Mr.…
Today the four convicted assassins of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln are hanged: Lewis Powell (also Payne or Paine), David Herold, George Atzerodt and Mary Surratt. General Winfield Scott Hancock, a hero of the war, is the officer in charge of the executions. Hancock is a Baptist. Lewis Powell, one of the most hated men…
As key battles continue in Virginia and Georgia, the news this day emanates from the United States capital of Washington, D.C. Yesterday Secretary of Treasury Salmon P. Chase submitted his resignation … for perhaps the dozenth time. But whereas President Abraham Lincoln had in previous instances rejected Chase’ resignation, yesterday the president, to the surprise…