1861 – January 3 — Georgia Takes Control of Fort Pulaski
On January 3, 1861, the state of Georgia took control of Fort Pulaski on Cockspur Island at the mouth of the Savannah River.
1861 – January 9 — Mississippi Secedes from the Union
The state convention in Mississippi votes to secede from the Union on January 9, 1861. It is the second state to secede from the Union.
1861 – January 10 — Florida secedes from the Union
1861 – January 11 — Alabama Secedes from the Union
Alabama Secedes from the Union on January 11, 1861. It is the fourth state to secede.
1861 – January 11 — Alabama secedes from the Union
1861 – January 19 — Georgia Secedes from the Union
Georgia votes to secede from the Union on January 19, 1861. It is the fifth state to secede.
1861 – January 19 — Battle of Mill Springs
1861 – January 26 — Louisiana secedes from the Union
1861 – January 29 — Kansas admitted to the Union
1861 – April 12 — Confederate Troops Fire on Fort Sumter
Confederate troops led by Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard opened fire on Union forces at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.
Confederate forces lead by Brigadier General P.G.T. Beuaregard opened fire on Fort Sumter, under the command of Major Robert Anderson. The firing commenced at 4:30 A.M, effectively beginning the Civil War.
1861 – April 13 — Fort Sumter Surrenders
Union forces surrender Fort Sumter.
Although there are no casualties, Major Anderson surrenders Fort Sumter to Beuaregard. The Confederates bombarded Fort Sumter approximately 4,000 shells for 33 hours.
1861 – April 14 — Union forces evacuate Fort Sumter.
After surrendering Fort Sumter on the previous day, the Union garrison boarded ships and evacuated the site.
After surrendering Fort Sumter on the previous day, the Union garrison boarded ships and evacuated the site. Major Robert Anderson takes the American flag that flew over Fort Sumter with him.
1861 – April 15 — President Abraham Lincoln Calls for Militia
President Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers to serve for three months in the Union army, against what he calls an “insurrection.”
1861 – April 17 — Virginia Secedes from the Union
Virginia becomes the 8th state to secede from the Union.
Just a few days after the surrender of Fort Sumter, Virginia becomes the eighth state to secede from the Union.
1861 – April 18 — Federal Troops Evacuate Harper’s Ferry, Virginia
Federal Troops Evacuate Harper’s Ferry, Virginia
1861 – April 19 — 6th Massachusetts is Attacked in Baltimore Maryland
1861 – April 19 — Baltimore Riot of 1861
Confederate sympathizers clashed with members of the Massachusetts militia en route to Washington for Federal service. Four soldiers and twelve civilians were killed in the riot.
Confederate sympathizers clashed with members of the Massachusetts militia en route to Washington for Federal service. Four soldiers and twelve civilians were killed in the riot.
1861 – April 19 — President Lincoln Authorizes Blockading Southern Ports.
After the fall of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln authorized a naval blockade of all Southern ports, a move advocated by General Winfield Scott as part of the Anaconda Plan.
After the fall of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln authorized a naval blockade of all Southern ports, a move advocated by General Winfield Scott as part of the Anaconda Plan.
1861 – April 20 — Robert E. Lee Resigns from the United States Army
1861 – April 23 — Robert E. Lee Assumes Command of the Virginia State Forces
1861 – April 27 — President Lincoln declares martial law in Maryland and suspends the writ of habeas corpus if necessary to control rebellion.
1861 – April 29 — Second Session of the Confederate Provisional Congress Convenes
1861 – April 30 — Forces led by Colonel Thomas J. Jackson Occupy Harper’s Ferry
1861 – August 6 — Congress passes First Confiscation Act
On August 6, 1861, Congress passed the First Confiscation Act, which allowed the Union army to seize any property, including slaves, used by the Confederacy against Federal forces
1861 – September 3 — Confederates Occupy Columbus, Kentucky.
Confederate General Leonidas Polk commits a major political blunder by occupying Columbus, in the previously neutral state of Kentucky
On September 3, 1861, Confederate General Leonidas Polk commits a major political blunder by dispatching troops to occupy Columbus, Kentucky. Polk’s move violated Kentucky’s avowed neutrality and provided the Unionist legislature with grounds for inviting Federal troops to invade the state.
