By 1850, Congress had grown along with the expansion of the country. The Capitol building was too small to house all the Senators and Representatives. An expansion was proposed and construction of the northern and southern wings, for new legislative chambers, began. The new construction also included a cast iron dome to better fit the building with its new legislative wings. Construction was completed in 1868.
The advance of the Gunboats up the river to New Berne, N. Carolina. Passing the Barricade
Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)
