The 1864–65 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between June 5, 1864, and November 7, 1865, in the midst of the American Civil War and President Abraham Lincoln's reelection. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives. Members were elected before the first session of the

39th United States Congress The 39th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1865, ...

convened on December 4, 1865, including the at-large seat from the new state of Nevada, and the 8 from Tennessee, the first secessionist state to be readmitted. The other 10 secessionist states had not yet been readmitted, and therefore were not seated. The opposition Democrats were deeply divided between the Copperheads, a group that demanded an immediate negotiated settlement with the Confederate States of America, and the War Democrats, who supported the war. With the Democrats lacking any coherent message, they lost half their seats to Lincoln's

Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa *Republican Party (Liberia) * Republican Part ...

, who increased their majority to a commanding level. The National Union Party (formerly known as the Unionists) lost seven seats, retaining control of 18 seats (some classify the Representatives as including 13

Unconditional Unionists The Unconditional Union Party was a loosely organized political entity during the American Civil War and the early days of Reconstruction. First established in 1861 in Missouri, where secession talk was strong, the party fully supported the preserv ...

and five Unionists), all from the border states of Maryland, Tennessee, and Kentucky, as well as West Virginia.

Election summaries

One new seat was added for the new State of Nevada and 8 vacancies were filled by the readmission of Tennessee, the first secessionist state to be readmitted. Three former Confederate States held elections in 1865 that were rejected by Congress. Of the rejected elections, Florida's and Mississippi's claimants' parties are unknown, while North Carolina elected 4 Union and 3 Conservative Representatives.

Special elections

38th Congress

, - ! , Owen Lovejoy , ,

1856 Events January–March * January 8 – Borax deposits are discovered in large quantities by John Veatch in California. * January 23 – American paddle steamer SS ''Pacific'' leaves Liverpool (England) for a transatlantic voyag ...

, , Incumbent died March 25, 1864.
New member elected May 19, 1864.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Henry G. Stebbins Col. Henry George Stebbins (September 15, 1811 – December 9, 1881) was a U.S. Representative from New York during the latter half of the American Civil War. Early life Stebbins was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, to Mary Largin (1783–1874) ...

, ,

1862 Events January–March * January 1 – The United Kingdom annexes Lagos Island, in modern-day Nigeria. * January 6 – French intervention in Mexico: French, Spanish and British forces arrive in Veracruz, Mexico. * January ...

, , Incumbent resigned October 24, 1864.
New member elected November 8, 1864.
Democratic hold. , nowrap ,

39th Congress

, - ! ,

Edwin H. Webster Edwin Hanson Webster (March 31, 1829 – April 24, 1893) was a U.S. Congressman from Maryland, serving the second district for two terms from 1859 until 1865. Early life Edwin Hanson Webster was born on March 31, 1829, near Churchville, Maryla ...

, , Unconditional Unionist ,

1859 Events January–March * January 21 – José Mariano Salas (1797–1867) becomes Conservative interim President of Mexico. * January 24 ( O. S.) – Wallachia and Moldavia are united under Alexandru Ioan Cuza (Romania since 1866, final u ...

, , Incumbent resigned July 1865.
New member elected November 7, 1865.
Unconditional Unionist hold. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Daniel W. Gooch Daniel Wheelwright Gooch (January 8, 1820 – November 1, 1891) was a United States representative from Massachusetts. Early life and education Gooch, the son of John and Olive ( Winn) Gooch, was born in Wells, Maine, Wells in Massachus ...

, , National Union , 1858 , , Incumbent resigned September 1, 1865.
New member elected November 7, 1865.
National Union hold. , nowrap , , - ! , Orlando Kellogg , , National Union ,

, , Incumbent died August 24, 1865.
New member elected November 7, 1865.
National Union hold. , nowrap ,

Alabama

Arizona Territory

See Non-voting delegates, below.

Arkansas

California

Note: This was the first election in which California elected representatives from congressional districts. , - !
, Cornelius Cole
. , , Republican ,

1863 Events January–March * January 1 – Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation during the third year of the American Civil War, making the abolition of slavery in the Confederate states an official war goal. It proclaims t ...

, , Unknown if incumbent retired or lost renomination.
New member elected. , nowrap , , - !
, William Higby
. , , Republican ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - !
,

Thomas B. Shannon Thomas Bowles Shannon (September 21, 1827 – February 21, 1897) was a California merchant and politician who served as member of the California State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives for California. Early life Shannon was born ...

. , , Republican ,

, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican hold. , nowrap ,

Colorado Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Connecticut

Dakota Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

, - ! ,

Thomas D. Eliot Thomas Dawes Eliot (March 20, 1808 – June 14, 1870), was a Senator and Congressman of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts, and a member of the prominent Eliot family. Life and career Eliot was born on March 20, 180 ...

, , National Union ,

1858 Events January–March * January – **Benito Juárez (1806–1872) becomes Liberal President of Mexico. At the same time, conservatives install Félix María Zuloaga (1813–1898) as president. **William I of Prussia becomes regent f ...

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Oakes Ames Oakes Ames (January 10, 1804 – May 8, 1873) was an American businessman, investor, and politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts. As a congressman, he is credited by many historians as being ...

, , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Alexander H. Rice Alexander Hamilton Rice (August 30, 1818 – July 22, 1895) was an American politician and businessman from Massachusetts. He served as Mayor of Boston from 1856 to 1857, a U.S. Congressman during the American Civil War, and as the 30th G ...

, , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Samuel Hooper Samuel Hooper (February 3, 1808 – February 14, 1875) was a businessman and member of Congress from Massachusetts. Early life Hooper was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts. His father, Robert Hooper, was a shipping merchant and later served ...

, , National Union , 1861 (special) , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

John B. Alley John Bassett Alley (January 7, 1817 – January 19, 1896) was a businessman and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Early life John Alley was born on January 7, 1817, in Lynn, Massachusetts. He attended the commo ...

, , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

, , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

George S. Boutwell George Sewall Boutwell (January 28, 1818 – February 27, 1905) was an American politician, lawyer, and statesman from Massachusetts. He served as Secretary of the Treasury under U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, the 20th Governor of Massachuse ...

, , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

John D. Baldwin John Denison Baldwin (September 28, 1809 – July 8, 1883) was an American politician, Congregationalist minister, newspaper editor, and popular anthropological writer. He was a member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives and lat ...

, , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William B. Washburn William Barrett Washburn (January 31, 1820 – October 5, 1887) was an American businessman and politician from Massachusetts. Washburn served several terms in the United States House of Representatives (1863–71) and as the 28th Governor of ...

, , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Henry Laurens Dawes , , National Union ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Nebraska Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Nevada

38th Congress

On October 31, 1864, the new state of Nevada elected Republican

Henry G. Worthington Henry Gaither Worthington (February 9, 1828 – July 29, 1909) was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat. He was notable for serving as the first United States Representative from Nevada. He served near the end of the American Civil W ...

to finish the term ending March 3, 1865. , - ! , colspan=3 , New state , , New seat.
Republican gain. , nowrap ,

39th Congress

Worthington was not renominated for the next term, however, and on November 7, 1865, Republican

Delos R. Ashley Delos Rodeyn Ashley (February 19, 1828 – July 18, 1873) was a California and Nevada politician who served as State Treasurer of California and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Nevada. Biography Ashley was born at Ark ...

was elected November 7, 1865 for the term that had already begun but would not formally meet until December 4, 1865. , - ! ,

, , Republican , 1864 , , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Republican hold. , nowrap ,

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Ohio's delegation swung from 14–5 Democratic to 17-2 Republican as 10 Democratic incumbents lost renomination or re-election. , - ! , George H. Pendleton , , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent retired to run for Vice President.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Alexander Long Alexander Long (December 24, 1816 – November 28, 1886) was a Democratic United States Congressman who served in Congress from March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1865. During the Civil War, Long was a prominent "Copperhead", a member of the peace move ...

, , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , Robert C. Schenck , , Republican ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

John F. McKinney John Franklin McKinney (April 12, 1827 – June 13, 1903) was an American lawyer and politician who served two non-consecutive terms as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1863 to 1865 and again from 1871 to 1873. Early life and career Bo ...

, , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , Francis C. Le Blond , , Democratic ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Chilton A. White Chilton Allen White (February 6, 1826 – December 7, 1900) was an American white supremacist, lawyer, and politician. He was a Democrat and a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1861 to 1865. Early life and education Born in Georgetown, Ohio, Wh ...

, , Democratic ,

1860 Events January–March * January 2 – The discovery of a hypothetical planet Vulcan is announced at a meeting of the French Academy of Sciences in Paris, France. * January 10 – The Pemberton Mill in Lawrence, Massachusett ...

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Samuel S. Cox Samuel Sullivan "Sunset" Cox (September 30, 1824 – September 10, 1889) was an American Congressman and diplomat. He represented both Ohio and New York in the United States House of Representatives and served as United States Ambassador to the ...

, , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , William Johnston , , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , Warren P. Noble , , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , James M. Ashley , , Republican ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Wells A. Hutchins Wells Andrews Hutchins (October 8, 1818 – January 25, 1895) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio during the American Civil War. Early life and education Born in Hartford, Ohio, Hutchins was a ...

, , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William E. Finck William Edward Finck (September 1, 1822 – January 25, 1901) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio. Born in Somerset, Ohio, Finck attended the public schools and St. Joseph's College (Ohio). He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1843 and ...

, , Democratic ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , John O'Neill , , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , George Bliss , , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

James R. Morris James Remley Morris (January 10, 1819 – December 24, 1899) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. He was the son of Joseph Morris, who was also a member o ...

, , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Joseph W. White Joseph Worthington White (October 2, 1822 – August 6, 1892) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1863 to 1865. Biography Born in Cambridge, Ohio, White attended the common sch ...

, , Democratic ,

1882 Events January–March * January 2 ** The Standard Oil Trust is secretly created in the United States to control multiple corporations set up by John D. Rockefeller and his associates. ** Irish-born author Oscar Wilde arrives in ...

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Ephraim R. Eckley Ephraim Ralph Eckley (December 9, 1811 – March 27, 1908) was an American Civil War veteran and three-term U.S. Representative from Ohio, serving from 1863 to 1869. Early life Eckley was born near Mount Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, but mo ...

, , Republican ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Rufus P. Spalding Rufus Paine Spalding (May 3, 1798 – August 29, 1886) was a nineteenth-century politician, lawyer and judge from Ohio. From 1863 to 1869, he served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as a justice of the Ohio Su ...

, , Republican ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , James A. Garfield , , Republican ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Elections held late, on August 3, 1865. , - ! , rowspan=8 colspan=3 align="center" , None (vacant due to Civil War) , rowspan=8 align="center" , New members elected.
Unionist gain. , nowrap , , - ! , nowrap , , - ! , nowrap , , - ! , nowrap , , - ! , nowrap , , - ! , , - ! , nowrap , , - ! , nowrap ,

Texas

Utah Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Vermont

Virginia

Washington Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

West Virginia

, - ! ,

Jacob B. Blair Jacob Beeson Blair (April 11, 1821 – February 12, 1901) was a U.S. Representative from Virginia and from West Virginia, and later a justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court. Life and career Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia (then Virginia), Blair ...

, , Unconditional
Unionist ,

, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Unconditional Unionist hold. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William G. Brown Sr. William Gay Brown Sr. (September 25, 1800 – April 19, 1884) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia, who was twice elected to the Virginia General Assembly and thrice to the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served at ...

, , Unconditional
Unionist ,

, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Unconditional Unionist hold. , nowrap , , - ! , Kellian Whaley , , Unconditional
Unionist ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Wisconsin

Wisconsin elected six members of congress on Election Day, November 8, 1864. , - ! , James S. Brown , , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent withdrew from election.
New member elected.
National Union gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Ithamar Sloan Ithamar Conkey Sloan (May 9, 1822December 24, 1898) was an American educator, lawyer, and politician. A Republican, he served two terms in the United States House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin. He was the brother of Andrew Scott Slo ...

, , Republican ,

, , Incumbent won re-election on National Union ticket.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! , Amasa Cobb , , Republican ,

, , Incumbent won re-election on National Union ticket.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Charles A. Eldredge Charles Augustus Eldredge (February 27, 1820October 26, 1896) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician. He served six terms in the United States House of Representatives (1863–1875), representing eastern Wisconsin. Biography Bo ...

, , Democratic ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Ezra Wheeler Ezra Wheeler (December 23, 1820 – September 19, 1871) was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin. Born in Chenango County, New York, Wheeler received a liberal preparatory schooling and graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in ...

, , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
National Union gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Walter D. McIndoe Walter Duncan McIndoe (March 30, 1819August 22, 1872) was a Scottish American immigrant, lumber industrialist, and politician. A Republican, he represented Wisconsin for two terms in the United States House of Representatives (from 1863 to 186 ...

, , Republican , 1862 Special , , Incumbent won re-election on National Union ticket.
Republican hold. , nowrap ,

Non-voting delegates

38th Congress

, - ! , colspan=3 , New district , , New seat.
New delegate elected on an unknown date in 1864.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , colspan=3 , New district , , New seat.
New delegate elected.
Democratic gain. , nowrap ,

39th Congress

, - ! , Charles Debrille Poston , , Republican ,

1864 Events January–March * January 13 – American songwriter Stephen Foster ("Oh! Susanna", "Old Folks at Home") dies aged 37 in New York City, leaving a scrap of paper reading "Dear friends and gentle hearts". His parlor song " ...

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected September 6, 1865.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! , Hiram Pitt Bennet , ,

Conservative Republican The Republican Party in the United States includes several factions, or wings. During the 19th century, Republican factions included the Half-Breeds, who supported civil service reform; the Radical Republicans, who advocated the immediate and ...

1861 Statistically, this year is considered the end of the whale oil industry and (in replacement) the beginning of the petroleum oil industry. Events January–March * January 1 ** Benito Juárez captures Mexico City. ** The first steam-p ...

, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! ,

John B. S. Todd John Blair Smith Todd (April 4, 1814 – January 5, 1872) was a Delegate from Dakota Territory to the United States House of Representatives and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Early life, education, and family T ...

, , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William H. Wallace William Henson Wallace (July 19, 1811 – February 7, 1879) was an important figure in the early histories of two U.S. states, serving as governor and Congressional delegate from both Washington Territory and Idaho Territory. Biography Wallace ...

, , Unionist , 1860
1862

, , Unknown if incumbent retired or lost.
New delegate elected October 10, 1864.
Democratic gain. , nowrap , , - ! , Samuel McLean , , Democratic ,

, Incumbent re-elected to the term starting March 4, 1865. , nowrap , , - ! , Samuel Gordon Daily , , Republican , 1860 , , Unknown if incumbent retired or lost.
New delegate elected on an unknown date.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! , - ! , - !

Notes

References

Bibliography

* * * * *

External links

Office of the Historian
(Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives) * {{DEFAULTSORT:1864-65 United States House of Representatives elections

Election summaries

Special elections

38th Congress

39th Congress

Alabama

Arizona Territory

Arkansas

California

Colorado Territory

Connecticut

Dakota Territory

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho Territory

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana Territory

Nebraska Territory

Nevada

38th Congress

39th Congress

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico Territory

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah Territory

Vermont

Virginia

Washington Territory

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Non-voting delegates

38th Congress

39th Congress

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links