On March 4, 1865, the famed Tennessee abolitionist and Methodist minister William "Parson" Brownlow had won a lopsided election as governor of his state. He was inaugurated at Nashville a month later and immediately sent the 13th Amendment to the legislature for ratification.  Brownlow had stood courageously against the Confederacy and slavery during the war and had been exiled for his efforts.  As governor, he in turn passed measures to restrict the political activity of former Confederates and banned the former Confederate uniform.  (By John Osborne) 

In the small Illinois town of Marengo in McHenry County, a sizeable crowd gathered to celebrate the Union's capture of Petersburg and the fall of Richmond.  Makeshift cannon, with hollow metal anvils substituting for the real thing were loaded with gunpowder near the Stewart House in the center of town.  Unfortunately, one of the anvils was cracked and when the gunpowder was ignited it exploded.  One man was hit in the side with a large piece of metal and died four hours later.  Another thirty-six pound fragment struck the leg of an elderly lady, requiring its amputation. (By John Osborne) 

The Rhode Island ballot saw the re-election of the most of the Republican ticket across the state.  James Youngs Smith was successful for a second time as governor while Thomas A. Jenckes and Nathan F. Dixon were returned to Congress, all as Republicans.  Democrat were able to win some representation in Providence, Newport, and other places.  (By John Osborne) 

The first ever annual conferernce of the National Unitarian Church opened in New York City at the Atheneum with around four hundred delegates representing areas all around the northern United States and Canada.  Governor Andrew of Massachusetts was selected as chair.  (By John Osborne)