In Mobile, Alabama, home to large numbers of former Confederate soldiers and black Union veterans, racial tensions were elevated, particularly on the current issue of whether African-Americans could be allowed to ride in city streetcars. A Republican Party public meeting with famous radical Pennsylvania congressman, William D. Kelley, as main speaker, was disrupted on this day with shots fired on the edge of the crowd resulting in two deaths and several other woundings. Strongly reported in the Northern press, this riot did little to reduce radical Union ideas  that the Civil War had not yet ended. (By John Osborne)

The fugitive John Surratt, wanted in connection with the Lincoln Assassination conspiracy that had resulted in the conviction and execution of his mother, Mary Surratt, had been arrested in Alexandria, Egypt after almost two years on the run.  He was returned to the United States aboard the USS Swatara on February 19, 1867, still wearing the uniform of the Pope in whose military he had enlisted, at the U.S.Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. He was formally indicted and on this day underwent the first day of his trial for murder before a civilian federal court.  The end result was a mistrial after his jury deadlocked and Surratt once again became a free man.  (By John Osborne) 

Following the orders of French Emperor Napoleon III, Marshal Francois Bazaine had gathered in December 1866 all French troops supporting the rule of Emperor Maximillian in Mexico around Mexico City in preparation for their evacuation.  After a delay, reportedly to help the stricken imperial regime, the much admired French commander finally had departed the capital for the port of Vera Cruz on February 5, 1867.  By this day, all French forces had left and Maximilian's government soon fell to the troops of Benito Juarez.  (By John Osborne)

Following the orders of French Emperor Napoleon III, Marshal Francois Bazaine had gathered French troops supporting the rule of Emperor Maximillian in Mexico around Mexico City in preparation for their evacuation.  After a delay, reportedly to help the stricken imperial regime, the much admired French commander finally departed the capital for the port of Vera Cruz and carried out an orderly withdrawal.  By March 12, 1867, all French forces had left and Maximilian's government soon fell to the troops of Benito Juarez.  (By John Osborne)

After a long delay, Jefferson Davis, the former president of the Confederacy, had been released two days earlier from Fort Monroe, Virginia, under a writ of habeas corpus to attend federal district court under his indictment for treason of May 10, 1866 and an earlier charge handed down in Norfolk, Virginia the year before.  He appeared in the courtroom packed with both former Confederate and Northern personalities and was transferred from military to civilian jurisdiction. Judge John C. Underwood confirmed the indictments and Davis was arrested by federal marshals and then released on $100,000 bail.  Among those helping to pay the bail that set the accused free after two years of confinement were Horace Greeley and Gerrit Smith.  (By John Osborne) 

After a long delay, Jefferson Davis, the former president of the Confederacy, was released from Fort Monroe, Virginia, under a writ of habeas corpus to attend federal district court under his indictment for treason of May 10, 1866 and an earlier charge handed down in Norfolk, Virginia the year before.  He was taken by steamboat from Fort Monroe under military escort and from Rockett's Landing was taken to Richmond.  He appeared in court two days later before Judge John C. Underwood and was released on $100,000 bail after two years of confinement.  (By John Osborne) 

A large U.S. Army supply train and a contigent of regular troops making the journey across the desert to La Paz in the Arizona Territory were camped in a canyon when a massive rainfall caused serious flash flooding.  Waves, reported by the unit commander as fifteen feet in height, swept away tents and wagons in minutes and the command was fortunate not lose any lives or the more vital of their supplies. The wagon train was eventually able to continue its journey. (By John Osborne)

Reverend W.C. Van Meter had founded the Howard Mission and Home for Little Wanderers in New York City's Bowery in May 1861. Since then it had grown significantly and attracted wealthy donors to the point that a new building could be constructed on New Bowery Street.  On this day the corner stone was laid for the new facility that would double the size and capacity of the homeless children's mission.  (By John Osborne)

At around 5:30 pm a boiler in the yard of a steam saw mill on Sansom Street, between 10th and 11th Streets, in Philadelphia exploded with spectacular effect.  The five story brick building housing the mill collapsed completely, burying most of it forty employees, many recent German immigrants. The surrounding area suffered significant but more minor damage.  At least twenty deaths were reported and twelve others were pulled from the rubble with mild to serious injuries. The cause of the disaster was unknown.  (By John Osborne)

The popular horse racing meeting held each year in Paterson, New Jersey continued for a second day with the featured race the well-known steeplechase, run over three miles and twenty-seven obstacles.  After starting slowly, the horse Citadel ran out an easy winner with the other finishers far behind. (By John Osborne)