On this date 150 years ago, the convicted slave trader Nathaniel Gordon was hanged at New York City, the first time the Union had ever imposed such punishment.

A Confederate victory resulted when forces under General H. H. Sibley attacked Union troops near Fort Craig, at Valvarde, New Mexico Territory. The Federals commanded by Colonel E. R. S. Canby lost 68 men, with 160 wounded, and 35 missing out of a total of 3810 men. Southerners numbering 2600 suffered 31 deaths, 154 wounded and one missing. The Confederates moved towards Santa Fe after seizing six pieces of artillery.