Legendary New York Democratic machine boss William Magear "Boss" Tweed escaped from captivity on a home visit. He fled to Cuba.
Last edition:
GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 97
WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE
I. The following order announces the decease of Henry Wilson, Vice-President of the United States:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, November 22, 1875.
It is with profound sorrow that the President has to announce to the people of the United States the death of the Vice-President, Henry Wilson, who died in the Capitol of the nation this morning.
The eminent station of the deceased, his high character, his long career in the service of his State and of the Union, his devotion to the cause of freedom, and the ability which he brought to the discharge of every duty stand conspicuous and are indelibly impressed on the hearts and affections of the American people.
In testimony of respect for this distinguished citizen and faithful public servant the various Departments of the Government will be closed on the day of the funeral, and the Executive Mansion and all the Executive Departments in Washington will be draped with badges of mourning for thirty days.
The Secretaries of War and of the Navy will issue orders that appropriate military and naval honors be rendered to the memory of one whose virtues and services will long be borne in recollection by a grateful nation.
U. S. GRANT
By the President:
HAMILTON FISH,
Secretary of State.
II. On the day next succeeding the receipt of this order at each military post the troops will be paraded at 10 o'clock a. m. and this order read to them.
The national flag will be displayed at half-staff.
At dawn of day thirteen guns will be fired. Commencing at 12 o'clock noon seventeen minute guns will be fired, and at the close of the day the national salute of thirty-seven guns.
The usual badge of mourning will be worn by officers of the Army and the colors of the several regiments will be put in mourning for the period of three months.
By order of the Secretary of War:
E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjutant-General.
He had been born Jeremiah Jones Colbath and born to extremely impoverished circumstances, growing up partially as an indentured servant to a farmer in his region. At age 21 he changed his name, although the reasons really aren't known. He became a shoemaker, and then entered politics as a Whig. He was one of the organizers of the Free Soil Party in 1852 and became a U.S. Senator in 1855. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War and exited the war back into politics as an advocate of the rights of freed slaves.
Executive Order—Expansion of Ute Indian Reservation TerritoryNovember 22, 1875EXECUTIVE MANSION, November 22, 1875.It is hereby ordered that the tract of country in the Territory of Colorado lying within the following-described boundaries, viz: Commencing at the northeast corner of the present Ute Indian Reservation, as defined in the treaty of March 2, 1868 (Stats, at Large, vol. 15, p. 619); thence running north on the 107th degree of longitude to the first standard parallel north; thence west on said first standard parallel to the boundary line between Colorado and Utah; thence south with said boundary to the northwest corner of the Ute Indian Reservation; thence east with the north boundary of the said reservation to the place of beginning, be, and the same hereby is, withdrawn from sale and set apart for the use of the several tribes of Ute Indians, as an addition to the present reservation in said Territory.U. S. GRANT.
Commanding General of the U.S. Army William Tecumseh Sherman wrote to Lt. Gen. Philip Sheridan :
I know that the matter of the Black Hills was settled in all events for this year. In the spring it may result in collision and trouble.. . . I understand that the president and the Interior Department will wink at it.
Texas Ranger Captain Leander McNelly and his men crossed into Mexico to retrieve more than 200 stolen cattle. He was backed by troops of the U.S. Army, but they did not cross. The Rangers advanced on the stronghold of Juan Flores Salinas, local leader of the rural guard at the Rincon de Cucharras outpost of the Las Cuevas ranch and a battle ensued in which about 80 Mexican militiamen were killed, and McNelly ordered a retreat back across the river. The Army covered his retreat across the river with a Gatling Gun.
At that point, Major A. J. Alexander from Fort Ringgold arrived with a message from Colonel Potter at Fort Brown, which read:
Advise Captain McNelly to return at once to this side of the river. Inform him that you are directed not to support him in any way while he remains on Mexican territory. If McNelly is attacked by Mexican forces on Mexican soil, do not render him any assistance. Let me know if McNelly acts on this advice.
McNelly advised the Army that he would not comply.
At sundown, another message arrived:
Major Alexander, commanding: Secretary of War Belknap orders you to demand McNelly return at once to Texas. Do not support him in any manner. Inform the Secretary if McNelly acts on these orders and returns to Texas. Signed, Colonel Potter.
McNelly issued the reply, which was:
In less than a minute, Captain McNelly penned his now famous reply:
Near Las Cuevas, Mexico, Nov. 20 1875. I shall remain in Mexico with my rangers and cross back at my discretion. Give my compliments to the Secretary of War and tell him and his United States soldiers to go to hell. Signed, Lee H. McNelly, commanding.
Over the Rio Grande his force encountered resistance. Up to 80 Mexicans were killed in the battle before he retreated. A smaller force of Rangers would cross the border the following day and recover over 400 stolen cattle.
McNelly's troops crossed again on the 21st and proceeded to a customs house where the cattle had been moved to, and which were now promised to be returned. The Mexican officer in charge refused to treat with him on a Sunday, which it now was and was taken prisoner. The prisoner was threatened with death and around 400 cattle were crossed into Texas.
McNelly died of tuberculosis in 1877 at age 33. A liberty ship was named after him during World War Two.
Last edition:
Indian Inspector E. C. Watkins issued a report to the Secretary of the Interior which would end up helping to bring about Gen. Terry's campaign of 1876. Indeed, on the same day, Gen. Sheridan issued a confidential letter to Terry informing him that he had met with President Grant, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of War, and that the Grant had decided that the military should no longer try to keep miners from occupying the Black Hills: "it being his belief that such resistance only increased their desire and complicated the troubles."
Proclamation of Thanksgiving.BY J. A. CAMPBELL GOVERNOR OF THE TERRITORY OF WYOMING.THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAVING DESIGNATEDThursday, the 27th day of November, 1873,As a day of Thanksgiving and Praise, I recommend the faithful observance of the day by all the people of Wyoming, in accordance with the usual and time-honored custom."GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER."IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Great Seal of the Territory to be affixed. Done at Cheyenne, this, Fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.J. A. CAMPBELL.[seal] * GREAT SEAL * TERRITORY OF WYOMING [/seal]By the Governor:JASON B. BROWN,Secretary of Territory.
Territorial Governor Campbell was of course a Republican, but not of the type that Republicans would now recognize. He was a political liberal and a backer of women's suffrage. He's served in the Union Army as a general during the Civil War and died in 1880 at the mere age of 44.
After leaving his post as the Territorial Governor, he served in various capacities in the Federal government for the remainder of his short life. Campbell County Wyoming is probably named after him, although there's some dispute on that.
Last edition:
U. S. Grant made a Thanksgiving Day proclaimation:
Proclamation 226—Thanksgiving Day, 1875
October 27, 1875
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In accordance with a practice at once wise and beautiful, we have been accustomed, as the year is drawing to a close, to devote an occasion to the humble expression of our thanks to Almighty God for the ceaseless and distinguished benefits bestowed upon us as a nation and for His mercies and protection during the closing year.
Amid the rich and free enjoyment of all our advantages, we should not forget the source from whence they are derived and the extent of our obligation to the Father of All Mercies.
We have full reason to renew our thanks to Almighty God for favors bestowed upon us during the past year.
By His continuing mercy civil and religious liberty have been maintained, peace has reigned within our borders, labor and enterprise have produced their merited rewards; and to His watchful providence we are indebted for security from pestilence and other national calamity.
Apart from national blessings, each individual among us has occasion to thoughtfully recall and devoutly recognize the favors and protection which he has enjoyed.
Now, therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do recommend that on Thursday, the 25th day of November, the people of the United States, abstaining from all secular pursuits and from their accustomed avocations, do assemble in their respective places of worship, and, in such form as may seem most appropriate in their own hearts, offer to Almighty God their acknowledgments and thanks for all His mercies and their humble prayers for a continuance of His divine favor.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 27th day of October, A.D. 1875, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundredth.
U.S. GRANT.
By the President:
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.
Last edition:
Virginia City, Nevada suffered a devastating fire when a kerosene lamp fell over and ignited a structure while high winds were blowing in the city.
Last edition:
The structure had been largely completed and opened in 1867, but was dedicated on this day in 1875. Some ongoing construction was still occuring.
This is a remarkably early large structure for the American West.
Last edition:
Remarks at the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Army of the Tennessee in Des Moines, Iowa by President Grant.
COMRADES:—It always affords me much gratification to meet my old comrades-in-arms of ten to fourteen years ago, and to live over again the trials and hardships of those days, hardships imposed for the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions. We believed then, and believe now, that we had a government worth fighting for, and if need be, dying for. How many of our comrades of those days paid the latter price for our preserved Union. Let their heroism and sacrifices be ever green in our memory. Let not the results of their sacrifices be destroyed. The Union and the free institutions for which they fell, should be held more dear for their sacrifices. We will not deny to any of those who fought against us any privileges under the Government which we claim for ourselves. On the contrary, we welcome all such who come forward in good faith to help build up the waste places, and to perpetuate our institutions against all enemies, as brothers in full interest with us in a common heritage. But we are not prepared to apologize for the part we took in the great struggle. It is to be hoped that like trials will never befall our country.
In this sentiment no class of people can more heartily join than the soldier who submitted to the dangers, trials and hardships of the camp and the battle-field, on whichever side he may have fought. No class of people are more interested in guarding against a recurrence of those days. Let us then begin by guarding against every enemy threatening the perpetuity of free republican institutions. I do not bring into this assemblage politics, certainly not partisan politics; but it is a fair subject for our deliberation to consider what may be necessary to secure the prize for which they battled. In a republic like ours, where the citizen is the sovereign, and the official the servant, where no power is exercised except by the will of the people, it is important that the sovereign—the people—should possess intelligence. The free school is the promotor of that intelligence which is to preserve us as a free nation. If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon's but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition and ignorance on the other.
Now, in this Centennial year of our national existence, I believe it a good time to begin the work of strengthening the foundation of the house commenced by our patriotic forefathers one hundred years ago at Concord and Lexington. Let us all labor to add all needful guarantees for the more perfect security of free thought, free speech and a free press, pure morals, unfettered religious sentiments and of equal rights and privileges to all men, irrespective of nationality, color or religion. Encourage free schools, and resolve that not one dollar of money appropriated to their support, no matter how raised, shall be appropriated to the support of any sectarian school. Resolve that either the State or nation, or both combined, shall support institutions of learning sufficient to afford to every child growing up in the land the opportunity of a good, common school education, unmixed with sectarian, pagan or atheistical tenets. Leave the matter of religion to the family circle, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contribution. Keep the Church and State forever separate. With these safeguards I believe the battles which created us "The Army of the Tennessee," will not have been fought in vain.
How is is that the Republican Party of U.S. Grant, and of Abraham Lincoln, became the Dixiecrat party of Donald Trump? The Civil War era Republicans would be ashamed.
Last edition:
The HMS Challenger dropped a weighted rope 27,000 feet into the ocean, discovering the Marianas Trench.
Last edition:
