47-day siege. July 6 – Queen Victoria issues Letters Patent, annexing to South Australia the part of the colony of New South Wales that will later become the Northern Territory. July 9 – American Civil War: The Siege of Port Hudson ends, and the Union controls the entire Mississippi River for the first time. July 13 – American Civil War – New York City draft riots: In New York City, opponents of conscription begin 3 days of violent rioting, which will be regarded as the worst in the history of the United States with around 120 killed. July 16 – Battle of Shimonoseki Straits: The screw sloop engages with the Chōshū Domain fleet before withdrawing, in Japan's first naval engagement between elements of modern navies. July 17 – The New Zealand Wars against the Māori people resume, as British forces in New Zealand led by Duncan Cameron begin their Invasion of the Waikato. July 17 – American Civil War – Battle of Honey Springs: Union troops win a strategic victory over the Confederates, for control of Indian Territory north of the Arkansas River. July 18 – American Civil War: The first formal African American military unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, unsuccessfully assaults Confederate-held Fort Wagner but their valiant fighting still proves the worth of African American soldiers during the war. Their commander, Colonel Robert Shaw, is shot leading the attack, and is buried with his men (450 Union, along with 175 Confederate). July 26 – American Civil War – Morgan's Raid: At Salineville, Ohio, Confederate cavalry leader John Hunt Morgan and 375 of his volunteers are captured by Union forces. July 30 – American Indian Wars: Representatives of the United States and tribal leaders including Chief Pocatello (of the Shoshone) sign the Treaty of Box Elder. August 1 At the suggestion of Senator J. V. Snellman and the order of Emperor Alexander II, full rights were promised to the Finnish language by a language regulation in the Grand Duchy of Finland. The pharmaceutical brand Bayer is founded by Friedrich Bayer in Germany. August 3 – Otago Boys' High School is founded in New Zealand. August 8 – American Civil War: Following his defeat in the Battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee sends a letter of resignation to Confederate President Jefferson Davis (Davis refuses the request upon receipt). August 15–17 – Bombardment of Kagoshima: The British Royal Navy bombards