Browse all Events, Entries, Images, Videos, and Audio Files in the Civil War 1861 Time Period.
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…
Battle of Middle Fork Bridge
July 6 -7, 1861 The Battle of Middle Fork Bridge was fought on July 6 and 7, 1861, in Upshur County, Virginia (now West Virginia). As the possibility of civil war in the United States evolved during the early months of 1861, Virginia was a divided state. Led by residents of the eastern part of…
Battle of Philippi
June 3, 1861 Generally considered to be the first significant land engagement of the American Civil War, the Battle of Philippi, also known as the "Races at Philippi," was fought on June 3, 1861, in Barbour County, Virginia (now West Virginia). As the possibility of civil war in the United States evolved during the early…
Battle of Rich Mountain
July 11, 1861 The Battle of Rich Mountain was fought on July 11, 1861, in Randolph County, Virginia (now West Virginia). As the possibility of civil war in the United States evolved during the early months of 1861, Virginia was a divided state. Led by residents of the eastern part of the state, Virginia voted…