By 1864 the settlers,travelers, and Native Americans were headed on a collision course. Indians repeatedly stole cattle from several ranches along the South Platte River. Actually the cattle probably just wandered off. The U.S. government protected it’s citizens and the mail by building forts and posts along the the trails from the Missouri River to Denver

In 1864 Camp Tyler was built and occupied by Colorado volunteers and Confederate prisoners of war. The fort’s name was changed to Camp Wardwell, and then to Fort Morgan on July 23, 1966. (Colonel Christopher Morgan of Cincinnati served with the 39th Ohio Volunteer during the Civil War. Ironically he never saw the place named in his honor). Fort Morgan was about the size of one block, and consisted of sod and log buildings. A large central parade ground could hold 200 wagons; soldiers guided wagon trains to the next fort about 10 miles away.

In 1867 the Union pacific Railroad reached Cheyenne, Wyoming; people and freight could be shipped faster and cheaper. The fort was abandoned in 1868 and soldiers were transferred to Fort Laramie.

Tragic battles at Beecher Island 1868 and Summit Springs 1869, plus the reservation system, virtually eliminated the roaming Native American culture on the eastern plains of Colorado.

The state of New Hampshire became the 21st state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, which abolished slavery.

Shortage of skilled craftsmen was a handicap the South could never overcome. The manpower and material shortages at Selma specifically crippled the progress of the ironclad squadron Admiral Buchanan was desperately trying to develop in Mobile Bay. Only ram Tennessee was ready when the critical moment arrived on August 5.

President Abraham Lincoln appointed Fessenden United States Secretary of the Treasury upon Salmon P. Chase's resignation. He served from July 5, 1864 until March 3, 1865, when he resigned to take a seat in the Senate again.

The service, initiated on July 1, 1863, was limited to northern cities with populations over 20,000. The service was a tremendous success, and by 1869 revenues from City Free Delivery superseded costs ten times over. After 1887, the department opened the service to areas with either populations exceeding 10,000 or postal revenues in excess of $10,000.