The 38th Congress of the United States convened from March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1865, during the American Civil War. It was marked by significant legislation aimed at addressing wartime issues, including the passage of the Homestead Act and the establishment of a national banking system. This Congress was notable for its debates over civil rights and the status of the Southern states. Key figures included Abraham Lincoln, who was the President at the time, and various members of the Republican Party who supported his policies to preserve the Union and abolish slavery.