As the drawing down of the military and naval forces of the Union continued, thirty U.S. Navy vessels of various types were sold at auction at the Brooklyn Naval Yard.  Beginning at noon, the sale, with no reserve, went quickly, with the former U.S.S. Kensington leading the bids at $81,000, although the vessel had cost the Navy Department around $200,000 to build.  The thirty ships sold for a total of almost a million dollars.  (By John Osborne)   

On the morning of the Independence Day anniversary, Champ Ferguson was arraigned before the Military Commission's Judge-Advocate H.C. Blackman for murder.  He had been a Confederate guerrilla leader, operating largely in eastern Tennessee under General Morgan.  His methods, however, had certainly exceeded even the lax standards of irregular warfare of the time, and he was charged with scores of specific murders.  He was tried later and executed on October 20, 1865 in Nashville.  (By John Osborne) 

An attack on New York City street sweepers was reported in the press.  The cleaning of the streets in the city had been beset with troubles for much of the summer.  A change of contracts has produced a strike, mass dismissals, and a hiring of replacements.  Replacement sweepers were the ones attacked in the street around noon, ironically, on Broome Street.  The very hot summer had not helped the mood or the health of New York as the garbage accumulated.  (By John Osborne) 

Former Tennessee congressman Emerson Etheridge had been vigorously campaigning to return to Washington in the upcoming elections in Tennessee.  Though a Unionist, he had turned away from Lincoln and the more radical Republicans over slavery and was a harsh critic of government policy and particularly the state's Radical Unionist governor, William Brownlow.  His language angered and alarmed military officials and he was arrested at his home in Dresden, Tennessee and held in Kentucky until after the election, which he lost.  (By John Osborne) 

In May 1865, the Detroit Board of Trade issued an invitation to the Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce of United States and Canada to attend a Convention in the city to discuss important business issues. Many from across the nation took up the invitation and the "Commercial Convention" was held betweem July 11 and July 14, 1865 in Detroit.  (By John Osborne) 

The Detroit Board of Trade issued an invitation to the Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce of United States and Canada to attend a Convention it intended to host in the city.  The object for this unprecendented call was the discussion of the commercial development of the continent at what was considered a critical juncture. Many took up the invitation and the "Commercial Convention" was held betweem July 11 and July 14, 1865 in Detroit.  (By John Osborne) 

Three days before, two teenaged girls gathering berries in the woods near Albany, New York were accosted and repeatedly assaulted by four men.  Two of the alleged accused, a father and son, had been arrested and were being arraigned in police court when family members of the victims opened fire on them. The older accused was hit twice and hit on the head with a hatchet by the girls' mother as he fell. He was treated for his injuries and the girls' mother and brother were arrested.  (By John Osborne) 

An early morning fire severely damaged much of the business district of Elgin, Illinois.  The blaze started just after midnight and spreading quickly it was only halted by pulling down neighboring buildings since the town did not have working fire engines.  Damage was heavy but on a quiet and rainy night, with little wind, it could have been far worse. As it was buildings were burned to the ground and all the town's city and court records were destroyed.  No injuries were reported, however.  (By John Osborne) 

In Newton, New Jersey, a fire that began in the small hours of the morning destroyed a good section of the offices of the Sussex Herald newspaper. Files and much of the building was saved, though, and the newspaper planned to publish as usual.  Damage was assessed at around $8000 but no injuries were reported.  (By John Osborne)