January 1 Porfirio Diaz conquers Mexico City January 2 Colonel Charles Stone is put in charge of organizing DC militia January 2 South Carolina seizes inactive Ft. Johnson in Charleston Harbor January 3 Delaware legislature rejects proposal to join Confederacy January 3 U.S. Ft. Pulaski and Ft. Jackson, Savannah, seized by Georgia January 4 President Buchanan appoints a fast on account of threatened succession January 4 U.S. Ft. Morgan, Mobile, seized by Alabama January 5 250 Federal troops are sent from New York to Ft. Sumter January 5 Alabama troops seize Forts Morgan and Gaines at Mobile Bay January 6 Florida troops seize Federal arsenal at Apalachicola January 6 New York City mayor proposes New York become a free city, trading with N and S January 7 Florida troops takeover Ft. Marion at St. Augustine January 9 1st hostile act of Civil War; Star of West fired on, Sumter, SC January 9 Mississippi becomes 2nd state to secede January 10 Florida becomes 3rd state to secede from US January 10 Ft. Jackson and Ft. Philip are taken over by LA state troops January 10 U.S. forts and property seized by Mississippi January 11 Alabama becomes 4th state to secede January 11 Mexico City captured by Juarez (Lib) in War of Reform January 15 Steam elevator patented by Elisha Otis January 17 Flush toilet patented by Mr. Thomas Crapper (Honest!) January 19 Georgia becomes 5th state to secede January 19 MS troops take Ft. Massachusetts an Ship Island January 21 Jefferson Davis of Mississippi and 4 other southern senators resign January 24 Arsenal at Augusta, Georgia seized by Confederacy January 26 Louisiana becomes 6th state to secede January 29 Kansas becomes 34th state January 31 Friedrich Hebbel's "Siegfrieds Tod," premieres in Weimar January 31 State of Louisiana takes over U.S. Mint at New Orleans February 1 Dike breaks in Gelderland Netherlands February 1 Texas becomes 7th state to secede February 4 Confederate constitutional convention meets for 1st time in Montgomery, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina elect Jefferson Davis President of Confederacy February 5 1st moving picture peep show machine is patented by Samuel Goodale February 5 Kinematoscope patented by Coleman Sellers, Philadelphia February 5 Louisiana delegation except Mr. Bouligny withdraws from Congress February 6 1st meeting of Provisional Congress of Confederate States of America February 6 English Admiral Robert Ritzroy issues 1st storm warnings for ships February 8 Confederate States of America organizes in Montgomery, Alabama February 9 Confederate Provisional Congress declares all laws under the U.S. Constitution were consistent with constitution of Confederate states February 9 Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens elected president and Vice President of Confederate States of America February 9 Tennessee votes against secession February 11 President-elect Lincoln takes train from Spingfield Illinois to Washington D.C. February 11 U.S. House unanimously passes resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state February 12 State troops seize U.S. munitions in Napoleon, Arkansas February 13 1st military action to result in Congressional Medal of Honor February 13 Abraham Lincoln declared president February 13 Col Bernard Irwin attacks and defeats hostile Chiricahua Indians February 15 Ft. Point completed and garrisoned (but has never fired cannon in anger) February 18 Confederate President Jefferson Davis inaugurated at Montgomery Alabama February 18 King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia becomes 1st king of Italy February 19 Russian Tsar Alexander II abolishes serfdom February 20 Department of Navy of Confederacy forms February 20 Steeple of Chichester Cathedral blown down during a storm February 21 Navaho indians elect Herrero Grande as chief February 22 On a bet Edward Weston leaves Boston to walk to Lincoln's inauguration February 23 By popular referendum, Texas becomes 7th state to secede from U.S. February 23 Dutch Premier Floris A van Hall resigns February 23 President-elect Lincoln arrives secretly in Washington D.C. to take office February 27 Russians shoot at Poles protesting Russian rule of Poland February 27 U.S. Congress authorizes 1st stamped newspaper wrappers for mailing February 27 Warsaw Massacre: Russians fire on crowd demonstrating against Russia February 28 Territories of Nevada and Colorado created March 2 Government Printing Office purchases 1st printing plant, Washington March 2 U.S. creates Dakota and Nevada Territories out of the Nebraska and Utah territories March 3 Russian Tsar Alexander II abolishes serfdom March 4 Confederate States adopt "Stars and Bars" flag March 4 Lincoln's inaugurated as 16th president March 4 President Lincoln opens Government Printing Office March 6 Provisionary Confederate Congress establishes Confederate Army March 8 St. Augustine Florida surrenders to Union armies March 9 Confederate currency authorized-$50, $100, $500, $1,000 March 11 Confederate convention in Montgomery, adopts constitution March 13 Jefferson Davis signs bill authorizing use of slaves as soldiers March 16 Arizona Territory votes to leave the Union March 16 Confederate government appoints commissioners to Britain March 17 Italy declares independence; Kingdom of Italy proclaimed March 22 1st U.S. nursing school chartered March 23 London's 1st tramcars, designed by Mr. Train of New York, begins operating March 27 Black demonstrators in Charleston staged ride-ins on street cars March 31 Confederacy takes over mint at New Orleans April 5 Federals abandon Ft. Quitman, Texas April 8 U.S. Mint at Dahlonega, Georgia seized by Confederacy April 12 Fort Sumter, South Carolina is shelled by Confederacy, starting Civil War April 13 After 34 hours of bombardment, Ft. Sumter surrenders to Confederates April 14 Formal Union surrender of Ft. Sumter April 14 Robert E Lee resigns from Union army April 15 Federal army (75,000 volunteers) mobilized by President Lincoln April 16 U.S. president Lincoln outlaws business with confederate states April 17 Indianola Texas - "Star of West" taken by Confederacy April 17 Virginia is 8th state to secede April 18 Battle of Harpers Ferry, Virginia April 18 Col Robert E. Lee turns down offer to command Union armies April 19 Baltimore riots-4 soldiers, 9 civilians killed April 19 Lincoln orders blockade of Confederate ports (Civil War) April 20 Battle of Norfolk, Virginia April 20 Colonel Robert E. Lee resigns from Union army April 22 Robert E. Lee named commander of Virginia Confederate forces April 23 Arkansas troops seize Ft. Smith April 23 Battle of San Antonio, Texas April 25 7th New York arrives to reinforce Washington, D.C. April 25 Battle of Lavaca, Texas April 27 President Abe Lincoln suspends writ of habeas corpus April 27 West Virginia secedes from Virginia after Virginia secedes from U.S. April 29 Maryland's House of Delegates votes against seceding from Union April 30 President Lincoln ordered Federal Troops to evacuate Indian Territory May 1 Lee orders Confederate troops under T J Jackson to Harper's Ferry May 3 General Winfield Scott presents his Anaconda Plan May 3 Lincoln asks for 42,000 Army Volunteers and another 18,000 seamen May 4 At Gretna LA, one of 1st guns of Rebel Navy is cast May 6 Arkansas and Tennessee becomes 9th and 10th state to secede from US May 6 Jefferson Davis approves a bill declaring War between U.S. and Confederacy May 7 Riot occurs between prosecessionist and Union supporters in Knoxville TN May 8 Richmond, Virginia, is named the capital of the Confederacy May 10 Union troops march on state militia in St. Louis, Missouri May 13 Queen Victoria announces England's position of neutrality May 16 Confederate government offers war volunteers $10 premium May 16 Kentucky proclaims its neutrality May 18 Battle of Sewall's Point VA-1st Federal offense against South May 18 Friedrich Hebbels "Kriemhildes Rache," premieres in Weimar May 20 Cornerstone of University of Washington laid in Seattle May 20 Kentucky proclaims its neutrality in Civil War May 20 U.S. marshals appropriate previous year's telegraph dispatches, to reveal prosecessionist evidence May 21 Richmond, Virginia is designated Confederate Capital May 23 3 fleeing slaves enter Fort Monroe Virginia May 23 Virginia citizens vote 3 to 1 in favor of secession May 24 Alexandria, Virginia occupied by Federal troops May 24 Major General Benjamin Butler declares slaves "contraband of war" May 25 John Merryman is arrested under suspension of writ of habeas corpus it later sparks a supreme court decision protecting writ May 26 Postmaster General Blair announces end of postal connection with South May 26 Union blockades New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile Alabama May 29 Dorothea Dix offers help in setting up hospitals for Union Army May 31 General Beauregard is given command of Confederate Alexandria Line May 31 Mint at New Orleans closes June 1 1st skirmish in Civil War, Fairfax Court House, Virginia June 1 British territorial waters and ports off-limits during Civil War June 1 Skirmish at Arlington Mills, Virginia June 1 U.S. and Confederacy simultaneously stop mail interchange June 3 1st Civil War land battle-Union defeats Confederacy at Philippi, WV June 5 Federal marshals seize arms and gunpower at Du Pont works DE June 6 Lincoln's cabinet declares Union government will pay for expenses once states have mobilized volunteers June 8 People of Tennessee vote to succeed from Union June 8 U.S. Sanitary Commission is given executive approval June 10 Battle of Big Bethel Virginia (Bethel Church, Great Bethal)-Union retreats June 12 Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson calls for 50,000 volunteers to stop Federates from taking over his state June 14 Harpers Ferry evacuated by rebels in face of McClellan's advance June 15 Johnston evacuates Harpers Ferry June 16 Battle of Vienna, Virginia and Secessionville, South Carolina, James Island June 17 Battle of Boonville, MI-Brigadier General Lyon defeats Confederate forces June 19 Anaheim Post Office established June 19 Francis Pierpont is elected provisional governor of West Virginia June 24 Battle of Mathias Point, Virginia - U.S. attacks Confederate batteries June 24 Tennessee becomes 11th (& last) state to secede from US June 25 Western Virginia campaign June 28 Leipzig Observatory discovers short-period (6.2 yrs) Comet d'Arrest June 30 CSS Sumter slips past USS Brooklyn blockade July 1 1st public schoolhouse opens at Washington and Mason St, SF July 1 War Department decrees the KA and Tennessee are to be canvassed for volunteers July 2 Battle of Hoke's Run, West Virginia - small Union victory July 3 Colonal Jackson receives his commission as brigadier general July 3 Martinsburg, Virginia - Confederate forces pull out before U.S. advance July 3 Pony Express arrives in San Francisco with overland letters from New York July 4 In a special session of 27th Congress Lincoln requests 400,000 troops July 4 Skirmish at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia July 5 Battle of Carthage, Missouri - U.S. General Sigel attacks pro-secessionist July 7 Battle of Laurel Hill, Virginia July 8 CS General Sibley is given command of rebel troops in New Mexico territory July 10 Lincoln writes to Kentucky's militia and says Union troops will not enter that state July 11 Battle of Laurel Mountain Virginia - General Morris forces retreat of rebels July 11 Battle of Rich Mountain, Virginia - Rosecrans forces rebels to surrender July 13 Battle of Corrick's Ford, Virginia (Carrick's Ford) - Union army takes total control of western Virginia CS20 US53 July 14 General McDowell advances toward Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia with 40,000 troops July 14 Naval Engagement at Wilmington North Carolina - USS Daylight establishes blockade July 16 Battle of Bull Run, the 1st major battle of the Civil War, is fought July 17 Congress authorizes paper money July 17 Manassas, Virginia General Beauregard requests reinforcements for his 22,000 men, General Johnston is ordered to Manassas July 18 Battle of Blackburn's Ford, Virginia US57 CS68 - Manassas - July 20 Confederate state's congress began holding sessions in Richmond, Virginia July 21 1st major battle of Civil War ends (Bull Run), Va-South wins July 24 Skirmish at Taylor Mountain, (W)Virginia - CS General Wise retreats July 25 Skirmish at Fort Fillmore, New Mexico Terr - Rebels attack Union troops July 25 Washington D.C. - Crittenden resolution is passed stating that the war is to be fought to preserve union and uphold the Constitution, not to alter slavery July 27 Battle of Mathias Point, Virginia - Rebel forces repel a Federal landing July 27 Battle of St. Augustine Springs, New Mexico Terr July 27 Confederate troops occupy Fort Fillmore, New Mexico July 27 Union General George McClellan takes command from McDowell of Potamic Army July 31 9,300 mm rainfall in July in Cherrapunji, Assam: world record August 1 Brazil recognizes Confederacy August 3 Federal fleet bombs Galveston, Texas August 5 Enlistment increases from 3 months to 2 years August 5 Naval Engagement at Fernandina, FL-USS Vincennes ends rebel blockade August 5 U.S. Army abolishes flogging August 5 U.S. levies its 1st Income Tax (3% of incomes over $800) August 6 Lexington Kentucky - Union military camp forms in neutral state August 10 Battle of Wilson's Creek MO (Springfield, Oak Hills)-General Lyon killed August 12 Skirmish at Texas-rebels are attacked by Apache Indians August 14 79th New York troops mutinies August 16 President Lincoln prohibits Union states from trading with Confederacy August 16 Skirmishes at Fredericktown/Kirkville, Missouri August 27 Battle of Cape Hatteras SC-Union troops take Ft. Clark August 28 Battle of Fort Hatteras NC September 1 Grant assumes command of Federal forces at Cape Girardeau MI September 1 Skirmish at Boone Court House WV and Blue Creek WV September 3 Confederate forces enter Kentucky, thus ending its neutrality September 6 General Grant occupies Paducah Kentucky September 9 Sally Tompkins is only Confederate Army female commissioned officer September 10 Battle at Cheat Mountain, Elkwater West Virginia September 10 Battle of Carnifex Ferry VA, 170 casualities September 13 1st naval battle of Civil War, Union frigate "Colorado" sinks privateer "Judah" off Pensacola, Fla September 16 British Post Office Savings Banks opens September 17 1st day school for freedmen forms at Fortress Monroe Virginia September 17 Hampton Institute forms September 20 Battle of Lexington, MI-captured by Union September 25 Secretary of U.S. Navy authorizes enlistment of slaves September 26 2nd British Golf Open: Tom Morris Sr shoots a 163 at Prestwick Club October 2 Former Vice President John C. Breckinridge flees Kentucky October 6 Naval Engagement at Charleston, South Carolina USS Flag vs BR Alert October 6 Revolt of Russian student shuts down university of Petersburg October 11 Battle of Dumfries, Virginia (Quantico Creek) October 12 Confederate ironclad Manassas attack Union's Richmond on Mississippi October 16 Confederacy starts selling postage stamps October 21 Battle of Balls Bluff, Virginia (Leesburg, Harrison's Island) October 22 1st telegraph line linking West and East coasts completed October 24 1st transcontinental telegram sent ending Pony Express October 24 West Virginia seceded from Virginia October 25 Battle of Wilson's Creek, MI (Springfield) October 26 Pony Express ends November 1 General George B. McClellan made general in chief of Union armies November 4 University of Washington founded in Seattle November 6 Jefferson Davis elected to 6 year term as Confederate president November 7 Battle of Belmont, MO November 7 Battle of Port Royal Bay, South Carolina (Ft. Walker, Ft. Beauregard) November 8 Battle of Mount Ivy, Kentucky November 8 U.S. removes Confederate officials from British steamer Trent November 9 1st documented Canadian football game (at University of Toronto) November 19 Julia Ward Howe committed "Battle Hymn of the Republic" to paper November 22 Battle of Ft. McRee, FL November 24 Luik-Vise-Maastricht railway opens November 26 West Virginia created as a result of dispute over slavery with Virg November 28 Confederate congress officially admits Missouri to Confederate Army November 30 Harper's Weekly publishes EE Beers' "All quiet along the Potomac" December 5 Gatling gun patented December 9 Battle of Bird Creek, Indian Terr (High Shoal, Chusto-Talasah) December 13 Battle of Alleghany Summit, WV December 19 Battle of Black Water December 20 Battle of Dranesville, VA December 30 US, banks stops payments in gold December 31 22,990 mm of rain falls in Cherrapunji Assam in 1861, world record
