United States Civil War (1861 – 1865) in Real Time

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 20th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles said that he would put 12 navy vessels under control of the Revenue Service but “the amount in the future would depend on the number of men allowed the Navy.”

Virginia

As the Virginia State Convention grinds on, a secessionist in Richmond, amuses a crowd by describing Lincoln as a “misshapen ape, occupying the pedestal where once stood the proud Washington.”

Alabama

The Confederate States government discussed the relocation of the capital from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia.

Florida

The sloop USS ISABEL, carrying supplies the for United States squadron at Pensacola, was seized off Pensacola by Florida state authorities.

Kentucky

Kentucky legislature convenes but does not vote on any secession topic other than to have another border state convention in May.

Georgia

The state of Georgia passed an ordinance authorising the Confederate States government to occupy, use, and possess all military forts, navy yards, arsenals, and custom houses within the limits of the state.

Texas

Fort Brown was abandoned by United States Army troops under the command of United States Army, Lieutenant-Colonel Electus Backus (3rd US Infantry) and Fort Duncan was abandoned by United States Army forces under United States Army, Captain O L Shepherd, 3rd Infantry Regiment (United States).

The Texas state legislature confirmed the action of the Texas Convention in deposing Governor of Texas Samuel Houston. The legislature also transferred the forts, arsenals, and other military facilities in the state to the Confederate government.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 21st 1861

Georgia

In Savannah, Alexander Stephens, vice-president of the Confederacy, makes a speech which will become known as the "Cornerstone Speech". He describes aspects of the new Confederate constitution, declaring, "So, taking the whole new constitution, I have no hesitancy in giving it as my judgment that it is decidedly better than the old." On the issue of slavery, he says, "But not to be tedious in enumerating the numerous changes for the better, allow me to allude to one other though last, not least. The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution African slavery as it exists amongst us the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. ... Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition."

Louisiana

Louisiana ratifies the Confederate Constitution, with a vote of 94-10 in favor.

governor of Louisiana, Thomas Overton Moore authorised the transfer of arms and property captured from the United States to the Confederate government.

South Carolina

Gustavus Vasa Fox reconnoitred Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour aboard the steamer BALTIC in order to determine the best means of relieving the Fort. The former United States Navy officer had been given a temporary special appointment in the Navy by (United States) President Abraham Lincoln. United states Army, Major Robert Anderson, commanding the United states Army garrison of eighty-two men, reported that he had insufficient supplies to hold out for any longer than a few weeks. Fox recommended relieving Sumter by sea: "I propose to put the troops on board of a large, comfortable sea steamer and hire two powerful light draft New York tug boats, having the necessary stores on board. These to be convoyed by the USS PAWNEE. . . and the revenue cutter HARRIET LANE . . . Arriving off the bar, I propose to examine by day the naval preparations and obstructions. If their vessels determine to oppose our entrance, and a feint or flag of truce would ascertain this, the armed ships must approach the bar and destroy or drive them on shore. Major Anderson would do the same upon any vessels within the range of his guns and would also prevent any naval succor being sent down from the city."

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 22nd 1861

Alabama

David Emanuel Twiggs, formerly the third-ranking General in the United States Army, was appointed to the grade of Major General in the Confederate Army and assigned to command the unofficial Department of Louisiana.

Territory of New Mexico

United States Army, Colonel William Wing Loring, Regiment of Mounted Riflemen (United States) arrived to command the Department of New Mexico, succeeding Colonel Thomas Turner Fauntleroy, who had defected to the Confederacy.

Nevada Territory

James W Nye became Governor of Nevada Territory.

Kentucky

The Kentucky State Rights Convention met. It adopted resolutions denouncing any attempt on the part of the government to collect revenue as coercion; and affirmed that, if any such attempt were made, the Border States should make common cause with the Confederacy. They also recommended convening a convention of border states.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 23rd 1861

District of Columbia

42 vessels were in commission in the United States Navy. Twelve of these ships were assigned duty with the Home Squadron, four of which were based on Northern ports. Beginning with the return of the sidewheel steam frigate USS POWHATAN to New York and the screw steamer USS POCAHONTAS to Hampton Roads on 12 March and the 50-gun sailing frigate USS CUMBERLAND to Hampton Roads on 23 March, the Department of the Navy moved to recall all but three ships from foreign stations, where they were badly needed, in order to meet the greater needs of the Nation in this hour of crisis.

California

A J King, the Under Sheriff of Los Angeles County, and other influential men in El Monte formed a pro-secessionist militia known as the Monte Mounted Rifles. They aimed to assist Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston in pro-secessionist activity. King came to the attention of the Federal authorities when United States army officers at San Pedro held up a shipment of arms sent by John G Downey, the Governor of California. This action prevented the arming of the militia and stopped a potential insurrection.

Virginia

50-gun sailing frigate USS CUMBERLAND arrived at Hampton Roads from its station at Vera Cruz, New Mexico.

California

United States Army, Brigadier general Edwin Vose Sumner is assigned to the command of the Department of the Pacific.

Texas

Fort Chadbourne is abandoned by United States Army forces.

Texas ratifies the Confederate Constitution overwhelmingly, 126-2.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 24th 1861

Nothing to report.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 25th 1861

South Carolina

Governor of South Carolina,  Francis Wilkinson Pickens explains to Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Beauregard that peaceful evacuation of the Federal garrison in Fort Sumter is possible, but “everything must be conducted respectably, and in no arrogant or wanton manner towards us.”

(United States) President Abram Lincoln personal friend and self-appointed bodyguard Ward Hill Lamon, meets with Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Beauregard and Governor Pickens in Charleston.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 26th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Lincoln seems to be almost in constant sessions with his Cabinet officials as the national crisis threatens to continue spiraling out of control.

Nebraska Territory

Alvin Saunders became Governor of Nebraska Territory.

South Carolina

The South Carolina state convention met in Charleston.

Texas

Confederate States Army, Colonel Earl Van Dorn arrived in Texas with the aim of securing the conversion of United States garrisons in the state to adhere to the Confederate cause. He was directed also to organise and arm pro-Confederate forces in the state.

Mississippi

Mississippi accepts the Confederate Constitution with a 78-7 tally.

Massachusetts

180 ton schooner RHODA H. SHANNON left Boston bound for Savannah with a shipment of ice.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 27th 1861

Dakota Territory

William Jayne became the Governor of the Dakota Territory.

Florida

Reconnaissance began at Santa Rosa Island.

Louisiana

The Louisiana State Convention adjourned without setting a date for reassembling.

Missouri

The Missouri House passed a resolution that it was inexpedient for the Missouri General Assembly to call a National Convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution, as recommended by the Missouri state convention.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 28th 1861

District of Columbia

United States Army, General-in-Chief Major-General Winfield Scott submitted a memorandum recommending that both Sumter and Pickens be evacuated.

(United States) President Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln hosted a dinner for cabinet officers, foreign diplomats, and other dignitaries. Afterward Lincoln called the cabinet together to inform them of Scott’s memorandum. “Blank amazement” registered on several faces as they realized that Scott was advising what amounted to unconditional surrender.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 29th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Lincoln states that "I desire that an expedition, to move by sea, be got ready to sail as early as the 6th of April next" for the resupply and possible reinforcement of Fort Sumter.

(United States) Secretary of State William Seward is rapidly becoming the odd-man out in Lincoln’s Cabinet by voicing opposition to resupplying or reinforcing Fort Sumter.

Texas

Fort Mason was abandoned by United States forces.

Mississippi

Mississippi Secession Convention ratifies Confederate Constitution.

South Carolina

Adjutant General and Inspector General of the Confederate States Army, brigadier general Samuel Cooper instructs Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Beauregard to prohibit further communication between Federal authorities and Fort Sumter with an eye to increasing the pressure by isolating the post.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 30th 1861

Texas

Address of the Texas Secession Convention to the People of Texas.

Mississippi

The state of Mississippi ratified the Confederate Constitution by 78 to 7 votes.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 31st 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) Secretary of State William Seward continues to mislead Confederate commissioners about the evacuation of Fort Sumter.

(United States) Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles ordered 250 men to be transferred from New York to strengthen the garrison of the Norfolk Navy Yard.

Louisiana

Confederacy takes over mint at New Orleans.

Florida

Reconnaissance at Santa Rosa Island ended.

Texas

Confederate States Army, General John Bankhead Magruder reassigned from Arkansas to Texas.

Fort Bliss was abandoned and surrendered to pro-Confederate forces.

South Carolina

South Carolina has yet to confirm the Confederate Constitution on the grounds that a prohibition ought to be included that free states will not be admitted into the new nation.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 1st 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) Secretary of State William Seward sends president Lincoln a list of his opinions/positions, scolding Lincoln in the process. Seward states he would favor starting a foreign war to reunite the country. Lincoln writes back that the decision was his to make and not Seward's.

(United States) President Lincoln secretly orders the sidewheel steam frigate USS POWHATAN to the aid of Fort Pickens, Pensacola, FL, from Fort Sumter, SC.

South Carolina

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard reported to the Confederate government that the artillery positioned in and around Charleston would be ready to reduce Fort Sumter by 4 April or 5 April.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 2nd 1861

District of Columbia

The Morrill Tariff Act was passed by the United States Congress.

(United States) President Abram Lincoln visited the Washington Navy Yard.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 3rd 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln cabinet meets again over Fort Sumter. Allan B. Magruder sent to Richmond to talk to Virginia Pro-United states supporters, on behalf of Lincoln.

Virginia

A "test vote" in the Virginia convention shows a 2-1 margin against secession.

South Carolina

South Carolina ratifies the Confederate Constitution 114-16.

The Charleston correspondent of the Richmond Examiner urges "let us never surrender to the North the noble song, the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' It is southern in its origin; in sentiment, poetry, and song; in its association with chivalrous deeds, it is ours ..." The song had been widely featured at numerous rallies in the North in the past few weeks as a patriotic and United States-supporting song.

(South Carolina): The schooner RHODA H. SHANNON incident at Charleston’s harbor

In the afternoon the 180 ton schooner RHODA H. SHANNON approaches Charleston’s harbor, but weather during her voyage prevented navigational fixes and the ship’s master, mistook the harbor entrance as Tybee Island at the mouth of the Savannah River. His arrival in the “midst of a gale that had been blowing for several days” was another piece of bad luck as the waters were said to be “white with foam”. Sighting a pilot boat, he sent a man to the bow to wave the United States flag as a request for a pilot to come aboard. When one didn’t arrive, the master made a poor decision by deciding to enter the port on his own thus setting off a series of events he soon came to regret.

As the schooner neared Morris Island, guns from the Confederate emplacements there fired several shots across his bow. Realizing his ship was not flying its colors and thinking that was the cause for the firing, he hastily raised the United States flag. To his great surprise, the guns began firing at the ship scoring several near-misses. The befuddled master turned his ship and beat a retreat before anchoring just inside the Charleston bar and trying to understand what was going on.

United States Army, Major Robert Anderson, commanding United States forces in Fort Sumter, sent the fort’s boat with an officer to Morris Island to obtain an explanation for the firing and to request permission to visit the schooner. Confederate States Army, Lieutenant Colonel W.G. DeSaussure, commanding Confederate forces on Morris Island, advised that he was under orders to prevent any ship flying the United States flag from entering the harbor. DeSauussure sent a revenue cutter to ascertain damage on the Shannon and Anderson’s boat followed. The master explained his actions and admitted confusion. Both sides accepted his story and were relieved no harm or casualties were incurred in light of the facts. Confederate States Army, Colonel DeSaussure gave assurances the vessel “would not be molested” if she sought safety from the weather and anchored in the harbor but the Shannon soon headed to sea and disappeared from sight.

Confederate authorities explained the situation quickly to Charleston’s citizens to ease their anxieties and stop rumors that the schooner was attempting a re-supply of Fort Sumter in advance of a fleet of United States warships. It was all just a case of bad weather, bad luck and bad judgement.