Browse all Events in the Civil War 1861 Time Period.
Anti-war Protests
During the American Civil War, nearly 330,000 Ohio men served in the Union military. Numerous Ohio civilians also supported the war effort by growing groups and manufacturing supplies for the men serving in the military. During the American Civil War, nearly 330,000 Ohio men served in the Union military. Numerous Ohio civilians also supported the…
Battle of Big Bethel
June 10, 1861 Considered by many historians to be the first major land engagement of the American Civil War, the Battle of Big Bethel was fought on June 10, 1861 at the southern end of the Virginia Peninsula. On April 17, 1861, a statewide convention of Virginia delegates passed an ordinance of secession declaring the…
Battle of Boonville
June 17, 1861 Fought on June 17, 1861. the Battle of Boonville was a small, but significant engagement fought for control of central Missouri. When the American Civil War began, sympathies in the border state of Missouri were greatly divided. Although many Missourians favored remaining in the Union, Governor Claiborne Jackson was a strong proponent…
Battle of Bull Run I
July 21, 1861 The Battle of Bull Run I, also known as the Battle of Manassas I, was the first major land engagement of the American Civil War. Fought near the town of Manassas, Virginia, on July 21, 1861, the battle resulted in a decisive Confederate victory. After the Union surrender of Fort Sumter, in…
Battle of Carnifex Ferry
September 10, 1861 The Battle of Carnifex Ferry took place in Nicholas County, Virginia (now West Virginia) on September 10, 1861. The Union victory left western Virginia under the control of Federal troops and contributed to the formation of the new state of West Virginia. As the possibility of civil war in the United States…
Battle of Cheat Mountain
September 12 – 15, 1861 The Union victory at the Battle of Cheat Mountain, also known as the Battle of Cheat Summit Fort, fought from September 12 to 15, 1861, was instrumental in the formation of the State of West Virginia. As the possibility of civil war in the United States evolved during the early…
Battle of Corrick’s Ford
July 13, 1861 Fought on July 13, 1861, in Tucker County, Virginia (now West Virginia), the Battle of Corrick's Ford was instrumental in securing Federal control of western Virginia and in contributing to the establishment of the State of West Virginia. As the possibility of civil war in the United States evolved during the early…
Battle of Fort Sumter
April 12–14, 1861 Fought from April 12-13, 1861, the Battle of Fort Sumter was the first engagement of the American Civil War. On November 6, 1860, American voters elected Republican Party-candidate Abraham Lincoln as the sixteenth President of the United States of America. During the campaign, Lincoln stressed that he had no intention to interfere…
Battle of Greenbrier River
October 3, 1861 The Battle of Greenbrier River, also known as the Battle of Camp Bartow, took place in Pocahontas County, Virginia (now West Virginia) on October 3, 1861. The battle was part of the Western Virginia Campaign. As the possibility of civil war in the United States evolved during the early months of 1861,…
Battle of Kessler’s Cross Lanes
August 26, 1861 The Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes, also known as the Battle of Cross Lanes and the Battle of Knives and Forks, was fought on August 26, 1861, in Nicholas County, Virginia (now West Virginia). As the possibility of civil war in the United States evolved during the early months of 1861, Virginia…