Christopher M. Spencer was a Manchester, Connecticut inventor who had learned the arms trade at the Colt Factory in Hartford.  He received patent number 27393 for his magazine-fed, lever-action rifle that used metal rim-fire cartridges. The military did not adopted the new weapon until 1863 but once adopted, its use, especially with Union cavalry units, clearly demonstrated in battle its revolutionary qualities.  (By John Osborne)

The side-wheel steamboat Judge Porter had been built just the year before in Indiana and was on a voyage from Montgomery, Alabama to New Orleans with fifteen passengers when a morning fire broke out as she crossed Lake Pontchartrain.  The vessel burned very quickly and only one passenger survived.  Fifteen bodies were recovered and three crewmen were missing presumed dead.  (By John Osborne) 

A year after a large fire had burned large portions of Houston, Texas, fire struck again.  It began in Hudgpeth's Eating Saloon just after midnight and spread quickly destroying buildings and businesses.  On some blocks every building was completely burned as the city's limited water supply made firefighting very difficult.  Damage was estimated at the time between $350,000 and $500,000.  (By John Osborne)

The Homestead Bill provided for any head of family of age with land up to 160 acres under certain conditions.   Unpopular with Democrats and slave state politicians who all voted against it, the completed bill finally emerged from protracted conference committee negotiations and was passed on June 19, 1860.  Three days later, President Buchanan vetoed the bill.  The Homestead Act finally became law in 1862.  (By John Osborne)

The Homestead Bill passed the House of Representatives in March, 1860.  The bill provided for any head of family of age with land up to 160 acres under certain conditions.   The Senate passed its version in May, 1860 and the completed bill finally emerged from protracted conference committee negotiations and was passed.  On June 22, 1860, President Buchanan vetoed the bill.  The Homestead Act finally became law in 1862.  (By John Osborne)

The Homestead Bill passed the House of Representatives in March, 1860.  The bill provided for any head of family of age with land up to 160 acres under certain conditions.   The Senate passed its version and the completed bill finally emerged from conference committee on June 19, 1860.  On June 22, 1860, President Buchanan vetoed the bill.  The Homestead Act finally became law in 1862.  (By John Osborne)

Thanks to Owen Lovejoy and the Republicans, the Homestead Bill passed the House of Representatives.  The bill provided for any head of family of age with land up to 160 acres under certain conditions.   In May 1860, the Senate passed its version and the completed bill emerged from conference committee on June 19, 1860.  On June 22, 1860, President Buchanan vetoed the bill.  The Homestead Act finally became law in 1862.  (By John Osborne)