Union forces under Colonel Edward Baker are defeated by Confederate troops, in the second major battle of the war. Baker, a close friend of Abraham Lincoln, is also killed in the fighting. October 24 – , the world's first ocean-going (all) iron-hulled armored battleship, is completed and commissioned into the British Royal Navy. Western Union completes the first transcontinental telegraph line October 25 – The Toronto Stock Exchange is established in Canada. October 26 – The Pony Express American transcontinental mail service announces its closure. October 28 – American Civil War: The Missouri legislature takes up a bill for Missouri's secession from the Union. October 30 – American Civil War: The bill for Missouri's secession from the Union is passed. October 31 The Spanish, French and British governments sign a tripartite agreement to intervene in Mexico, in the hope of recovering unpaid debts. The Missouri secession bill is signed by Governor Jackson. American Civil War: Citing failing health, 75-year-old Union General Winfield Scott resigns as Commander of the United States Army. November 1 – American Civil War: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan as commander of the Union Army, replacing Winfield Scott. November 2 – American Civil War: Western Department Union General John C. Frémont is relieved of command and replaced by David Hunter. November 4 – The University of Washington founded. November 6 – American Civil War: Jefferson Davis is elected president of the Confederate States of America. November 5 – The first Melbourne Cup horse race is held in Melbourne, Australia. November 7 – American Civil War – Battle of Belmont: In Belmont, Missouri, Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant (in his first combat leadership role) overrun a Confederate camp, but are forced to retreat when Confederate reinforcements arrive. November 8 – American Civil War – Trent Affair: The stops the United Kingdom mail ship Trent, and arrests two Confederate envoys, James Mason and John Slidell, sparking a diplomatic crisis between the U.K. and U.S. November 10 – Following the death of Henri Mouhot, his servant Phrai begins shipping his diaries and specimens back to the west; they include accounts of Mouhot's discovery of Angkor Wat. November 19 – American Civil War: Battle of Round Mountain in Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma). November 21 – American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah P. Benjamin Secretary of War. November 25 A battle commences in