October 1864

Sunday 02:

Union forces attack Saltville, Virginia, but are defeated by Confederate troops.

Wednesday 05:

The Indian city of Calcutta is almost totally destroyed by a cyclone; 60,000 die.

Friday 07:

American Civil War: Capture of the C.S.S. "Florida" — Union Warship captures the U.S.S. "Wachusett" — Confederate raider ship while in port in Bahia, Brazil.

Sunday 09:

Union cavalrymen in the Shenandoah Valley defeat Confederate forces at Tom's Brook, Virginia.

Wednesday 19:

Confederate raiders launch an attack on Saint Albans, Vermont from Canada.

Sunday 23:

Union forces under General Samuel R. Curtis defeat Confederate troops led by General Stirling Price at Westport, near Kansas City.

Friday 28:

Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant withdraw from Fair Oaks, Virginia, after failing to breach the Confederate defenses around Richmond, Virginia.

Sunday 30:

Helena, Montana is founded after four prospectors discover gold at "Last Chance Gulch."

Monday 31:

Nevada is admitted as the 36th U.S. state.