In mayoral elections in New York City, wealthy fur importer and son of German immigrants C. Godfrey Gunther was elected as the Democratic mayor of the city, defeating both the Republican candidate Orison Blunt and the Tammany Hall nominee, Francis Booll. Gunther's victory owed much to immigrant support and broke the power temporarily of the Democratic machine. Gunther was heavily defeated in 1865 and the city returned to Tammany control.  (By John Osborne)   

The Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Delaware rail bridge over the Schuykill River into Philadelphia at  Gray's Ferry caught fire, probably from sparks from a passing locomotive, and was severely damaged.  The entire western section of the bridge was burned but portions of the eastern end were saved. Train service was maintained, however, using the new Pennsylvania Railroad bridge half a mile upstream. (By John Osborne)

On the occasion of the dedication of the new National Soldiers' Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, around a hundred miles away, the city of Philadelphia proclaimed a fast day and national and state flages were lowered to half mast during the daylight hours. (By John Osborne)

The 29th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry returned to Philadelphia on month's leave to an enthusiastic welcome, escorted to the National Guard's Hall and treated to a light meal before being released to their homes. Recruited in October 1861 in the city, the regiment had fought at Chancellorsbille, Gettysburg, and the recent Chattanooga Campaign.  They had reenlisted on December 10, 1863 and were enjoying the leave that came as a bonus.  (By John Osborne) 

In northern Virginia, prior to the Union advance southward, the Third Corps of the Army of the Potomac paraded before Army Commander General George Meade and its own commander, General French. On a warm day of fine weather, the generals rode through the lines and then the corp's three divisions passed in review.  The artist, Thomas Nast, captured the scene in a widely circulated sketch.  (By John Osborne)