In the state of Maine general elections, the Republican Party scored crushing victories across the board. Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain was elected governor by a vote of 69,369 to 42,111, and Democrats did not take a single contested race for the state senate.  All five Republican candidates for the U.S. Congress won with very strong majorities. (By John Osborne)

The Maine Democratic Party met in its convention at Portland, recent scene of the disastrous July fire.  The meeting nominated Eben F. Pillsbury as their candidate for governor and passed several heated resolutions, including one condemning the 39th Congress for its "malignant hostility to the cordial reconciliation of the people of the country."  Pillsbury, along with all five Democratic nominees for that Congress were handily beaten in the September 10, 1866 general election.  (By John Osborne)

The Maine Republican Party met in its nominating convention at Bangor.  The gathering nominated famous college professor and Union Civil War general Joshua L. Chamberlain and also passed resolutions confirm the state party's position that "all men, without distinction of color or race, are entitled to equal civil and political rights."  Chamberlain was elected handily in the September 10, 1866 general election, beating the Democrat Eben F. Pillsbury.  (By John Osborne)

In Augusta, the Republican-dominated legislature of the State of Maine adjourned after a a fifty-two day session.  The body had passed 222 items that became law and another seventy-seven resolutions including several that supported human and civil rights and the vote in every state "irrespective of race or color." (By John Osborne)

In the aftermath of the deadly New Orleans riots, the military commander of the department, Major General Philip H. Sheridan, made his second report on the situation to the Union Army head, Ulysses S. Grant.  He confirmed his condemnation of the New Orleans police and the main perpetrators of the violence that killed and wounded scores and placed responsibility with the city mayor, James Tompkins Monroe, who he calls "a bad man."  He also suggested that his removal would be met with approval amongst the local population.  (By John Osborne)