Today Edgar Harkness Gray (1813-1894) becomes the first Baptist appointed as Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. A Vermont native, Gray was converted to the Baptist faith at the age of twelve. Following a period of schooling, he was ordained to the ministry and served churches in Maine and Massachusetts before accepting the pastorate of Washington…
Union forces continue advancing in North Carolina. Unable to prevent the Federals from marching through South and North Carolina, Confederate forces in those states strive to slow down Union advances and prevent the enemy from reaching Petersburg. Should Grant be reinforced at Petersburg by Sherman, the war will surely be over. Already, with Sherman systematically…
In Augusta County, Virginia the Battle of Waynesboro takes place this day. In the one day conflict Federal forces under General George Armstrong Custer spectacularly rout the forces of Confederate General Jubal Early just outside the town of Waynesboro. The Federals, losing only nine men, capture as many as 1,800 Confederates, as well as many…