Navajo Springs - Arizona History #2

A relatively obscure fact of Arizona history is that on December 29, 1863 a governmental party appointed by President Abraham Lincoln, traveling by wagon train with a military escort to guard against Confederate and Apache attack, arrived at Navajo Springs, Arizona and swore in the first territorial government of Arizona. Beginning at 4:00pm on that cold day in the high desert of northeastern Arizona... the 'Stars and Stripes' flag was raised, the oath of office was administered, a prayer given by Rev. H.W. Read, a proclamation was spoken by the new territorial governor, John N. Goodwin, the "Battle Cry for Freedom" was sung, and a 15-gun salute was fired. The territorial government of Arizona was officially established.