On what is a rather quiet winter’s day in terms of military activity, far to the west of the theaters of war the Legislative Assembly of Montana Territory incorporates Virginia City, creating the first municipal government in the territory that had itself only recently been incorporated the preceding May 26. The first clergyman to preach…
As Union and Confederate forces fight fiercely in Virginia and Georgia, Thomas E. Seerley (1826-1914) is en route to Oregon, one of thousands who are traveling West to seek their fortunes and/or escape the ravages of war. It is a long, dangerous journey by wagon train that Seerley has embarked upon. Many making the trek…
In Washington, D.C. today U. S. Senator John B. Henderson of Missouri submits a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. Although the legislation does not pass this year, Henderson’s resolution signifies the momentum of the movement toward the enactment of the Thirteenth Amendment and the abolishing of slavery on February 1, 1865. Meanwhile,…