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

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 4th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln meets secretly with Pro-United States Virginian John B. Baldwin. It was reported he had hoped to exchange a state for a fort, meaning he hoped to keep Virginia in the United States in exchange for evacuating Fort Sumter.

(United States) President Lincoln informs Gustavus Vasa Fox the resupply/reinforcement mission would go. Lincoln drafts letter to Anderson letting him know, and saying he hoped Anderson could make it until April 11 or 12 when the expedition "will endeavor also to reinforce you."

Alabama

Raphael Semmes is appointed Chef of the Confederate Lighthouse Bureau.

Virginia

The Virginia Convention, meeting at the Mechanics Hall in Richmond as a committee of the whole on the recently report of Committee on Federal Relations, were faced with an amendment that proposed an ordinance of secession, to be confirmed in a referendum. The motion was overwhelmingly defeated on a vote of 89 to 45.

The Richmond Daily Dispatch, best-selling of the city's four dailies, defended slavery as a financially vital financial. It concluded, "If we would reduce Virginia to the deplorable condition of anarchy, poverty, and squalid wretchedness, exemplified in the worst Republics of Central or South America, we have but by fixing her destinies with the abolition North, to stampede her negroes and uproot her slave institution."

Ohio

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, John McLean dies at his home in Cincinnati, McLean had been a recent candidate for president, had sat on the Supreme Court since 1829, and was the last living member of either the Monroe or the Quincy Adams cabinets. He was also a strong Methodist and a trustee of Dickinson College, the third member of the Court with such ties, and perhaps most famous for his strong dissent in the Dred Scott Case. His death provided (United States) President Abraham Lincoln with his second vacancy on the Court. McLean was replaced by Virginian Noah Haynes Swayne.

United Kingdom

With the pressure on it bullion reserves easing, the Bank of England reduced its discount rate, the interest charged to smaller banks, from seven to six percent, This was the second one point reduction in a few weeks, down from the emergency high of eight percent seen during the onset of the secession crisis in the United States. Stocks of bullion and reserve notes had increased significantly enough to make the change, and a further reduction, to five percent, took place a week later.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 5th 1861

District of Columbia

With the decision to reinforce or evacuate Fort Sumter as yet unclear, one the Confederate Commissioners, Martin Crawford, wrote to Montgomery that from his observations in the federal capital "the movement of troops, and preparation on board of vessels of war ... are continued with the greatest activity. An important move requiring a formidable military and naval force is certainly on foot." The response of General Beauregard in Charleston was to call for more volunteers.

South Carolina

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln gave final orders for a substantial naval expedition to be sent to relieve Fort Sumter. Sidewheel steam frigate USS POWAHATAN, sloop-of-war USS PAWNEE, screw steamer USS POCAHONTAS and the United States Revenue Cutter USRC HARRIET LANE were ordered to re-provision the garrison at Fort Sumter. The squadron commander was United States Navy Captain Samuel Mercer. The steamer BALTIC carried about 200 soldiers from the 2nd US Artillery (Companies C and D), and three tug boats were provided to help in landing the troops as reinforcements for the fort.

Texas

Fort Quitman was surrendered to the Texas authorities. The United States Army garrison had been reduced to one officer (2nd Lieutenant Zenas Bliss) and 20 men. Bliss and his men were ordered to march to San Antonio, joining other Federal troops evacuating garrisons in western Texas.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 6th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln learns that Fort Pickens, a fort on Santa Rosa Island in the Pensacola, Florida had not been reinforced. A messenger was sent the next day to Fort Pickens ordering the immediate reinforcement of the fort.

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln meets with Northern governors of Indiana, Ohio, Maine and Pennsylvania and with Pro-United States Virginians.

New York

United States Navy, Lieutenant David Dixon Porter was ordered to take command of sidewheel steam frigate USS POWAHATAN and to join USS PAWNEE after departing from New York.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 7th 1861

South Carolina

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard orders all transports to Fort Sumter cut off. This ended the fort's supply of fresh food.

Alabama

United States Navy, Lieutenant John Lorimer Worden departed Washington by rail with secret orders for United States Navy, Captain Henry A Adams, commanding the sailing frigate USS SABINE. Adams was the senior naval officer in the Pensacola area and his orders directed him to reinforce the garrison of Fort Pickens. He was informed to await soldiers and sailors being sent for this purpose from New York aboard sloop-of-war USS PAWNEE and sidewheel steam frigate USS POWAHATAN.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 8th 1861

Georgia

United States mint at Dahlonega, Georgia, seized by confederacy.

South Carolina

The state of South Carolina transferred forts and other military property to the Confederate government.

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln sends Robert S. Chew, a State Department Clerk and United States Army, Captain Theodore Talbot, to Charleston to inform the South Carolina government and Governor of South Carolina, Francis Wilkinson Pickens that Fort Sumter would be resupplied and if no resistance was given by the Confederates, then no troops would be thrown in. Otherwise, the fort would be reinforced as well as resupplied. This put the burden of decision on the Confederates either to back down on their threats or to be forced into firing the first hostile shot.

New York

United States Revenue Cutter USRC HARRIET LANE under the command of Captain John Faunce departed New York to join the relief expedition for Fort Sumter comprising the sloop-of-war USS PAWNEE and sidewheel steam frigate USS POWAHATAN. A confusion of responsibility caused by Secretary of State William Henry Seward meant that the Fort Sumter expedition sailed without an armed escort. The USS POWAHATAN had already been ordered to accompany the Fort Sumter expedition by United States Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. Simultaneously, Seward had organised a secret relief expedition for the forts in the Gulf of Mexico (Fort Taylor, Fort Jefferson, and Fort Pickens). This was to be composed of a naval force under United States Navy, Commodore David Dixon Porter and 200 troops under Captain Montgomery Cunningham Meigs. Seward gained permission from President Abraham Lincoln for the USS POWAHATAN to escort this expedition.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 9th 1861

District of Columbia

United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ferguson Smith (10th US Infantry) was appointed to command the newly formed Department of Washington.

New York

Gustavus Vasa Fox sailed from New York in the chartered steamer BALTIC with a special assignment to observe the relief expedition at Fort Sumter on behalf of (United States) President Abraham Lincoln. The expedition when combined would also include the sidewheel steam frigate USS POWAHATAN and the United States Revenue Cutter USRC HARRIET LANE.

Alabama

The Confederate cabinet, meeting in Montgomery, decided to open fire on Fort Sumter in an attempt to force its surrender before the Federal relief fleet arrived. Only (Confederate States) Secretary of State Robert Augustus Toombs opposed this bellicose decision.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 10th 1861

District of Columbia

Militia and volunteer forces were mobilised by United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ferguson Smith for the active defence of the capital district after he arrived to command the new Department of Washington.

South Carolina

South Carolina Secession Convention approves Jefferson Davis as President, and Alexander H. Stephens as Vice President of the Confederate States of America, then adjourns, pending recall later by President Jamison.

United States Revenue Cutter USRC HARRIET LANE arrived off Charleston before midnight, the first vessel in an expedition sent by (United States) President Abraham Lincoln to relieve and resupply the garrison of Fort Sumter. Steam frigate USS POWAHATAN had left New York along with troops aboard the steamer BALTIC. Sloop-of-war USS PAWNEE was just leaving Hampton Roads, Virginia, to join the expedition.

Confederate floating battery is moved to a position near Sullivan's Island. Confederate troop activity around Charleston Harbor intensifies as all forts are manned.

After deliberations in the Confederate capital of Montgomery, Alabama over (United States) President Lincoln's stated intention to reinforce Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, (Confederate States) Secretary of War Leroy Walker ordered Confederate Army, Brigadier General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard to "at once demand (the fort's) evacuation and, if this is refused, proceed in such manner as you may determine to reduce it.". Beauregard telegraphed immediately that he would make the demand for evacuation the next day.

Virginia

United States Navy, Captain Charles S McCauley, Commandant of the Norfolk Navy Yard, was ordered to put the USS MERRIMACK in condition for a move to a Northern yard should it become necessary.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, April 11th 1861

District of Columbia

The members of the Confederate Peace Commission to Washington left the capital.

The (United States) War Department gave orders just after midnight for the calling out of the entire militia of the District of Columbia. During the following morning and afternoon the militia companies gathered and were marched to the War Department to be administered the oath of allegiance to the United States and enlist for three months of service. A thousand men enrolled but a significant number refused the oath and were disarmed and stricken from the rolls of their units.

Texas

Confederate States Army, Colonel Earl Van Dorn is ordered to assume the command in Texas and make prisoners of all the United States troops remaining in the State who refuse to espouse the Confederate cause.

New York

United States Army units forced to evacuate Texas when state forces took over their installations arrived in New York aboard the chartered steamer COATZACOALCOS. The vessel had sailed from Indianola, Texas on March 31st 1861 and journeyed northwards via Key West, Florida, where she left two companies, and Havana, Cuba. She disembarked 417 men the next day, among them United States Army, Captain George Stoneman of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States).

South Carolina

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard dispatches aides, Confederate States Army, Colonel James Chesnut, Confederate States Army, Colonel James A. Chisholm, and Confederate States Army, Captain Stephen D. Lee—to Fort Sumter to issue the ultimatum. United States Army garrison commander Major Robert Anderson refused although he was aware that he could only endure a few more days unless he received supplies by sea. He was playing for time but Beauregard was authorised by (Confederate States) Secretary of War, Leroy Pope Walker to commence firing on the fort if an immediate surrender was not forthcoming. The three aides left Fort Sumter and returned to Charleston where Confederate States Army, Colonel Chesnut reported to Beauregard that the ultimatum would not be complied with.

Virginia

United States Navy Commander James Alden was ordered to take command of the steam frigate USS MERRIMACK which was undergoing repair in the Norfolk Navy Yard. Chief Engineer Benjamin Isherwood was sent the next day to put the ship’s engines in work­ing order to permit its evacuation to a Northern port.

Florida

United States Revenue Cutter USRC JOHN APPLETON turned over to the United States Navy at Key West.

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Day 1 of the United States Civil War, April 12th 1861

(South Carolina) Operations in Charleston Harbor - Battle of Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter was a pentagonal masonry fort built on an artificial island in the middle of the main ship channel. It was about 300 to 350 feet across with walls 40 feet and between 8 and 12 feet thick. Despite having been commenced in 1829 it was incomplete, It had 48 guns ready for use out of the 140 prescribed for the fort; 21 were housed in the upper of the two tiers of casemates and a further 27 en barbette on the rampart. The garrison was commanded by United States Army, Major Robert Anderson and counted nine officers, 68 other ranks, 8 musicians, and 43 non-combatant workmen. It was intended to be garrisoned by 650 men in the event of hostilities.

At 4:30 a.m. on April 12th 1861, Confederate States Army, Lieutenant Henry S. Farley, acting upon the command of Confederate States Army, Captain George S. James,fired a single 10-inch mortar round from Fort Johnson. (James had offered the first shot to Roger Pryor, a noted Virginia secessionist, who declined, saying, "I could not fire the first gun of the war.") The shell exploded over Fort Sumter as a signal to open the general bombardment from 43 guns and mortars at Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, the floating battery, and Cummings Point. Under orders from Beauregard, the guns fired in a counterclockwise sequence around the harbor, with 2 minutes between each shot; Beauregard wanted to conserve ammunition, which he calculated would last for only 48 hours. Edmund Ruffin, another noted Virginia secessionist, had traveled to Charleston to be present at the beginning of the war, and fired one of the first shots at Sumter after the signal round, a 64-pound shell from the Iron Battery at Cummings Point. The shelling of Fort Sumter from the batteries ringing the harbor awakened Charleston's residents (including diarist Mary Chesnut), who rushed out into the predawn darkness to watch the shells arc over the water and burst inside the fort

Illustration: “Bombardment of Fort Sumter by the batteries of the Confederate states



United States Army, Captain Abner Doubleday eventually returned fire against the Ironclad Battery at Cummings Point from about 7.30 am. United States guns were supplied with inadequate solid shot ammunition as there were no fuses for their explosive shells. It was immediately clear that the fort’s exposed guns en barbette could not be manned without unreasonable losses although Sergeant John Carmody did move outside to fire some of them and gained acclaim for his effort. Fort Sumter’s garrison could only safely fire the guns in casemates on the lower levels. However, the guns in these enclosed positions were largely incapable of the indirect fire that could seriously threaten the Confederates at Fort Moultrie.

The fort had been designed to hold out against a naval assault, and naval warships of the time did not mount guns capable of elevating high enough to fire over the walls of the fort. The land-based guns manned by the South Carolina militia were capable of landing indirect fire into Fort Sumter. Although the Union forces had moved as much of their supplies to Fort Sumter as they could manage, the fort was low on ammunition and their shooting was intermittent. By the afternoon only six guns were available to answer the besiegers’ fire, primarily due to a shortage of ammunition. The Fort’s guns were silent during the night and the bombardment was maintained by mortars only.

Illustration: Bombardment of Fort Sumter



At about 1 pm the steamship BALTIC, sloop-of-war USS PAWNEE under the command of United States Navy, Commander Rowan, and United States Revenue Cutter USRC HARRIET LANE under the command of Captain Faunce arrived off Charleston ostensibly to reinforce Fort Sumter. The ships assigned to relieve Anderson had been delayed by bad weather and administrative confusion and were too late to enter the harbour unopposed. They were nevertheless cheered by the garrison, who believed them to be a relieving force. The wooden ships were too weak to survive if they came within range of the bombardment which had already begun. Unable to re-provision the fort under fire they abandoned the attempt and departed for their onward journey to strengthen the garrison of Fort Pickens at Pensacola.

Florida

Following secret orders, Fort Pickens was reinforced by United States Army troops under the command of United States Army, Captain Israel Vogdes and United States Marines under Lieutenant John C Cash. The reinforcements were brought ashore from the sailing frigate USS SABINE under the command of United States Navy, Captain H A Adams, wooden screw sloop USS BROOKLYN under the command of United States Navy, Captain W S Walker, sloop-of-war USS ST LOUIS under the command of United States Navy, Commander Charles S Poor) and the steamer USS WYANDOTTE under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant J R Madison Mullany. Their arrival assured the retention of the fort in United States control.

Florida

Harper's Weekly: the sailing frigate USS SABINE off Fort Pickens, 12 April 1861



Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Legislature took up its military appropriations bill and during the afternoon the news of the firing on Fort Sumter galvanized both chambers. The bill, drawn up by Alexander K. McClure, passed without amendment in the evening and provided $500,000 for the militia and an Adjudant General, Commissary-General, and Quartermaster-General to lead and equip massively expanded state forces.

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Day 2 of the United States Civil War, April 13th 1861

(South Carolina) Operations in Charleston Harbor - Battle of Fort Sumter

The Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter continued and a shell hit the officers’ quarters, starting a serious fire that threatened the main magazine. The Confederate gunners observed that hot shot had set fire to buildings within the walls and fired more of the same kind of projectiles until by noon several fires were alight inside the fort. The United States gunners in the casemates began to be in danger from the fires.

During the 34-hour bombardment, about 4,000 artillery and mortar rounds fell on the fort. The flagstaff was shot away at 1.30 pm and some confusion ensued whether the fort was actually being surrendered, Confederate States Army, Colonel and former United States Senator from Texas, Luis Trezevant Wigfall, had been observing the battle and decided that this indicated the fort had had enough punishment. He commandeered a small boat and proceeded from Morris Island, waving a white handkerchief from his sword, dodging incoming rounds from Sullivan's Island. Meeting with United States Army, Major Robert Anderson, he said, "You have defended your flag nobly, Sir. You have done all that it is possible to do, and General Beauregard wants to stop this fight. On what terms, Major Anderson, will you evacuate this fort?" Anderson was encouraged that Wigfall had said "evacuate," not "surrender." He was low on ammunition, fires were burning out of control, and his men were hungry and exhausted. Satisfied that they had defended their post with honor, enduring over 4,000 Confederate rounds without losing a man, Anderson agreed to a truce at 2:00 p.m.

The United States garrison formally surrendered the fort to Confederate personnel at 2:30 p.m., April 13th 1861.

No one from either side was killed during the bombardment. During the 100-gun salute to the United States flag—Anderson's one condition for withdrawal—a pile of cartridges blew up from a spark, mortally wounding privates Daniel Hough and Edward Galloway, and seriously wounding the other four members of the gun crew; these were the first military fatalities of the war. The salute was stopped at fifty shots. Hough was buried in the Fort Sumter parade ground within two hours after the explosion. Galloway and Private George Fielding were sent to the hospital in Charleston, where Galloway died a few days later; Fielding was released after six weeks. The other wounded men and the remaining United States troops were placed aboard a Confederate steamer, the ISABEL, where they spent the night and were transported the next morning to Fox's relief ship BALTIC, resting outside the harbor bar.

Florida

Sailing frigate USS SABINE under the command of United States Navy, Captain Henry A Adams began the blockade of Pensacola Harbour. The reinforcements and supplies which reached the fort on April 12th made it possible to establish the new United states Department of Florida with headquarters at Fort Pickens. This organisation comprised the state of Florida and was the first base of operations for naval and military operations in the Gulf of Mexico. United States Army, Major Harvey Brown (2nd US Artillery) was appointed to command the Department of Florida.

Alabama

United States Navy, Lieutenant John Lorimer Worden was seized near Montgomery and placed in prison. He was apprehended after he had successfully carried secret orders to United States Navy, Captain Henry A Adams, who was in command of the sailing frigate USS SABINE and the senior officer present in the Pensacola area. The orders were to reinforce and hold Fort Pickens in Pensacola Bay.

Texas

Fort Davis was abandoned by United States forces.

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Day 3 of the United States Civil War, April 14th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln Cabinet approves of "his call for 75,000 militia" and a special July 4 session of Congress.

Using George Ashmun, who knew both men, as a go-between, (United States) President Abraham Lincoln met with United States Senator from Illinois, Stephen Douglas in the evening at the White House to discuss the probable upcoming clash of arms with the South. Douglas, who Lincoln defeated in the recent election of 1860, pledged his personal and political support to any measure to save the United States.

Minnesota

Governor of Minnesota, Alexander Ramsey and a Dickinson College alumni, was visiting Washington, D.C. when the news from Fort Sumter reached the capital. That morning, he went to the War Department and offered the services of Minnesota militia to (United States) Secretary Simon Cameron. Knowing that Lincoln would call the next day for 75,000 volunteers, Cameron accepted Ramsey's written pledge and Minnesota became the first state to volunteer its men for the United States.

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Day 4 of the United States Civil War, April 15th 1861

District of Columbia

In a official proclamation, (United States) President Abraham Lincoln formally declared that southerners had disavowed Federal law, and they “constituted combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in Marshals by law.” He therefore asked 75,000 volunteers from the 27 states still in the United States to serve for three months “in order to suppress said combinations and cause the laws to be duly executed” in the seven states that had seceded. In accordance with the 1795 Act, black volunteers were prohibited.

Proclamation 80—Calling Forth the Militia and Convening an Extra Session of Congress.

The declaration by Lincoln read:

By the president of the United States:
A proclamation

Whereas the laws of the United States have been, for some time past, and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law.

Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed.

The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State authorities through the War Department.

I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government; and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union; and in every event, the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with, property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country.

And I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date.

Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers, at twelve o'clock noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln
Secretary of State William H. Seward

(United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron's communique to the various state governors:

Call to Arms! !

75,000 Volunteers Wanted

Washington, April 15.

The following is the form of call on the respective state Governors for troops, issued to-day:

Sir:—Under the act of Congress for calling out the militia to execute the laws of the Union to suppress insurrection, repel invasion, &c., approved February 28th, 1795, I have the honor to request your Excellency to cause to be immediately detached from the militia of your state, the quota designated in the table below to serve as infantry or riflemen for three months, or sooner, if discharged.

Your Excellency will please communicate to me the time about which your quota will be expected at its rendezvous, as it will be met as soon as possible by an officer or officers to muster it into the service and pay of the United States; at the same time the oath of fidelity to the United States will be administrated to every officer and man. The mustering officers will be instructed to receive no man under the rank of commissioned officer who is apparently over 45 or under 18 years, or who is not in physical strength and vigor. The quota to each state is as follows: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Arkansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, one regiment each; New York 17 regiments; Pennsylvania, 15 regiments; Ohio, 13; New Jersey, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, four regiments each; Illinois and Indiana, six regiments each; Virginia, three regiments,Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Tennessee, two regiments each.

It is ordered that each regiment shall consist of an aggregate of officers and men of 780 men.

The total thus to be called out is 73,910 men, the remainder, which constitutes the 75,000 under the President's proclamation will be composed of troops in the District of Columbia.

Florida

The Confederates demanded the surrender of Fort Pickens at Pensacola Bay but this was rejected.

Indiana

The Governor of Indiana, Oliver P Morton opened Camp Morton at Indianapolis for the training of volunteer recruits.

Arkansas

The Governor of Arkansas, Henry Rector response to (United States) President Abraham Lincoln's request for troops is: "The people of this Commonwealth are freemen, not slaves, and will defend to the last extremity their honor, lives, and property, against Northern mendacity and usurpation."

Tennessee

The Governor of Tennessee, Isham Harris stated in a telegram to (United States) President Abraham Lincoln: "Tennessee will furnish not a single man for the purpose of coercion, but fifty thousand if necessary for the defense of our rights and those of our Southern brothers."

The Governor of Tennessee, Isham Harris orders a second session of the state legislature to consider the question of a secessionist convention.

New York

Seventeen vessels registered from Southern ports and without United States clearance to depart were seized and fined by the New York authorities.

(United States) President Abram Lincoln Asks New York to provide 17 infantry regiments, totaling 13,820 officers and men, to defend the United States against the rebellion.

North Carolina

The Governor of North Carolina John Willis Ellis replied in a telegram to (United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron: "I can be no party to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and to this war upon the liberties of a free people. You can get no troops from North Carolina".

South Carolina

Photo: Fort Sumter two days after the surrendering of the fort by the United States garrison, the Confederate Flag can bee seen flying 



Virginia

A example of the telegram send by United States Secretary of War Simon Cameron to a governor, this being the Governor of Virginia, John Letcher regarding the militia for Federal service quota: 

War Department, Washington, April 15, 1861.

To His Excellency the Governor of Virginia:

Sir - Under the act of Congress for calling forth "militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, repel invasions, etc.," approved February 28, 1795, I have the honor to request your Excellency to cause to be immediately detached from the militia of your State the quota designated in the table below, to serve as infantry or rifleman for the period of three months, unless sooner discharged.

Your Excellency will please communicate to me the time, at or about, which your quota will be expected at its rendezvous, as it will be met as soon as practicable by an officer to muster it into the service and pay of the United States.

— Simon Cameron, Secretary of War.

Governor of Virginia, John Letcher responds to the telegram send by United States Secretary of War Simon Cameron:

Executive Department, Richmond, Va., April 15, 1861.

Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War:

Sir - I have received your telegram of the 15th, the genuineness of which I doubted. Since that time I have received your communications mailed the same day, in which I am requested to detach from the militia of the State of Virginia "the quota assigned in a table," which you append, "to serve as infantry or rifleman for the period of three months, unless sooner discharged."

In reply to this communication, I have only to say that the militia of Virginia will not be furnished to the powers at Washington for any such use or purpose as they have in view. Your object is to subjugate the Southern States, and a requisition made upon me for such an object - an object, in my judgment, not within the purview of the Constitution or the act of 1795 - will not be complied with. You have chosen to inaugurate civil war, and, having done so, we will meet it in a spirit as determined as the administration has exhibited toward the South.

— Respectfully, John Letcher

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Day 5 of the United States Civil War, April 16th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln forbade trade between loyal states and the seceded states.

Alabama

The Confederate government issued a call for 32,000 volunteers to defend the country.

Indian Territory

Fort Washita, Chickasaw Indian Nation, is abandoned by United States forces.

North Carolina

Fort Caswell, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, NC, and Fort Johnston, at Smithville, NC, are seized by the North Carolina state troops.

South Carolina

Photo: South-Western angle and face of Fort Moultrie, Charleston Harbor, S.C., April 16th, 1861



Virginia

The Virginia State Convention went into secret session, during which many delegates spoke on the momentous vote on secession about to be taken, including several who had made no speeches in the convention heretofore.

Former Governor of Virginia, Henry A. Wise (1856 - 1860) met with state militia officers on the night of the 16th, and they agreed that the Federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry needed to be seized. They informed current Governor of Virginia, John Letcher of their plan and requested that Letcher call out the militia to execute it. Though Letcher supported secession, he had no legal power to act until the state actually seceded.

United States Navy, Captain Garrett J Pendergrast commanding the 50-gun sailing frigate USS CUMBERLAND at Norfolk, was ordered to defer his departure to Vera Cruz and to assist in the preparations for moving the United States Navy vessels from the Gosport Navy Yard to safer locations.

Pennsylvania

At six p.m. the 105 men of the Ringgold Light Artillery, a Reading, Pennsylvania militia unit, founded in 1850 and named for the Mexican War artillery hero Samuel Ringgold, left their home city by rail. They arrived in Harrisburg two hours later and were quartered at the Herr Hotel. They were one of several militia companies Governor of Pennsylvania, Andrew Gregg Curtin had called to be prepared for action several days before.

Missouri

United States Army, Brigadier General William S. Harney, commander of the Department of the West, is becoming concerned about the safety of the St. Louis Arsenal, Harney sent a message to army headquarters warning that he had received reliable information that Governor of Missouri, Claiborne Jackson was planning on establishing batteries the hills above the arsenal. This would make defending the arsenal untenable.

New York

The New York Legislature authorizes the organization of thirty eight regiments: 30,000 men, of volunteer militia for two year service with three million dollars appropriated to meet the expense.

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Day 6 of the United States Civil War, April 17th 1861

Alabama

(Confederate States) President Jefferson Finis Davis’ invited all shipowners and masters interested in “service in private armed vessels on the high seas” or “privateers” to apply for Letters of Marque and Reprisal.

Florida

Sidewheel steam frigate USS POWHATAN under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant David Dixon Porter arrived off Pensacola and protected the landing of 600 troops from the steamer ATLANTIC at Fort Pickens. This second shipload of soldiers completed the reinforcement of the fort and ensured that access to the best harbour on the Gulf of Mexico was now denied to the Confederates.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper: A scene off Pensacola in mid-April 1861. From left to right: steam sloop BROOKLYN, 25 guns; frigate SABINE, 50 guns; sloop ST. LOUIS, 22 guns



Maryland

Secessionists from Maryland meet in Baltimore.

Massachusetts

The 6th Massachusetts Militia Regiment (United States) moved to Baltimore with eleven companies of infantry. United States Army, Colonel Edward Jones was warned about the risk of trouble from the city’s population and he gave orders for his troops not to fire unless first fired upon.

Missouri

Governor of Missouri, Claiborne Jackson sent the following response to (United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron, regarding (United States) President Abraham Lincoln's proclamation: Sir: Your dispatch of the 15th instant, making a call on Missouri for four regiments of men for immediate service, has been received. There can be, I apprehend, no doubt but the men are intended to form a part of the President's army to make war upon the people of the seceded States. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and revolutionary in its object, inhuman and diabolical, and cannot be complied with. Not one man will the State of Missouri furnish to carry on any such unholy crusade.

United States House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st district, Frank Blair knew that there were more than enough volunteers in St. Louis alone to fill Missouri's quota. But he also knew that Governor of Missouri Claiborne Fox Jackson would never accept any volunteers into service for the United states. On April 17th 1861, Frank Blair sent a message to (United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron requesting authorization to muster independent companies and regiments as volunteers into Federal service. He also warned that the secessionists were planning to occupy the high ground above the arsenal, which would make defending the arsenal very difficult. Part of Frank Blair's message to Cameron: Our Governor will not meet your requisition for volunteers. Will you accept independent companies and regiments from Missouri? If so, please order Captain Lyon to muster them into service.

Tennessee

The Governor of Tennessee, Isham G. Harris refused to comply with the Federal government’s demand for its quota of militia.

Virginia

Confederates installed obstacles in the channel at Norfolk to prevent the sailing of United States Navy vessels.

Former Governor of Virginia, Henry A. Wise delivered an impassioned speech to the state convention delegates, in which he said that state troops had begun moving to secure the military bases at Harpers Ferry and the Gosport Navy Yard at Norfolk. Wise, who had been working with the “spontaneous” group to get the Virginia State Convention to act, electrified the hall and helped tilt many undecided delegates toward secession who in a secret ballot, voted 88 to 55 in favor of adopting an ordinance of secession. They also approved holding a popular vote to ratify the ordinance on the fourth Thursday in May (the 23rd), but the fact that Virginians would vote for seceding was a foregone conclusion. 

The Virginia Ordinance of Secession (April 17, 1861): 

An Ordinance  to repeal the ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the State of Virginia, and to resume all the rights and powers granted under said Constitution.

The people of Virginia in their ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America, adopted by them in convention on the twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, having declared that the powers granted under said Constitution were derived from the people of the United States and might be resumed whensoever the same should be perverted to their injury and oppression, and the Federal Government having perverted said powers not only to the injury of the people of Virginia, but to the oppression of the Southern slave-holding States:

Now, therefore, we, the people of Virginia, do declare and ordain, That the ordinance adopted by the people of this State in convention on the twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and all acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying and adopting amendments to said Constitution, are hereby repealed and abrogated; that the union between the State of Virginia and the other States under the Constitution aforesaid is hereby dissolved, and that the State of Virginia is in the full possession and exercise of all the rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent State.

And they do further declare, That said Constitution of the United States of America is no longer binding on any of the citizens of this State.

This ordinance shall take effect and be an act of this day, when ratified by a majority of the voter of the people of this State cast at a poll to be taken thereon on the fourth Thursday in May next, in pursuance of a schedule hereafter to be enacted.

Adopted by the convention of Virginia April 17,1861

Texas

The steamship STAR OF THE WEST is captured by militia aboard the Confederate Army steamer GENERAL RUSK off the coast of Texas.

New York

Adjutant General of New York, J. Meredith Read directs New York State Militia (United States), Major General Charles W. Sandford, commander of the First Division of the New York State Militia, to detail a regiment to report to the President of the United States. MG Sandford orders New York State Militia (United States), Colonel Marshall Lefferts to prepare his 7th New York Militia Regiment (United States) for immediate service at Washington, D.C.

Kentucky

Governor of Kentucky, Beriah Magoffin responds to(United States) President Abraham Lincoln’s call for volunteers on April 15th is by telegram: "I will send not a man nor a dollar for the wicked purpose of subduing my sister Southern States."

Rhode Island

Telegram send by Governor of Rhode Island William Sprague IV, to (United States) Secretary of War, Simon Cameron in responds to (United States) President Abraham Lincoln April 15th 1861 call for 75,000 volunteers:

Providence , R. I., April 17, 1861.

Honorable Simon Cameron,

Secretary of War;

We have organized our regiment on the basis of my offer to the President of the force for the protection of the capital, and are about ready to move. To organize a regiment under the proclamation would take more time, but we shall commence that immediately, if desired. To avoid publicity, we shall report our whole force at Washington unless otherwise ordered. We are using every excretion to be first in the field.

William Sprague,

Governor of Rhode Island.

[lordroel]

Day 7 of the United States Civil War, April 18th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) Secretary of State William H. Seward is advised by British Minister to the United States, Lord Lyons that the United Kingdom had no obligation to honor an executive order closing ports because it had no foreign merit. The British would only support the Federal war effort if the administration imposed a blockade. Britain needed southern cotton, and international law would allow British vessels to run the blockade at their own risk to get it.

Robert E. Lee is offered command of the United States Army by United States Army, General-in-Chief Major-General Winfield Scott who had estimated his talents very highly since the Mexican War. Lee declined, choosing to put loyalty to his home state of Virginia above that of loyalty to the Federal state.

Five hundred unarmed and untrained Pennsylvania volunteers arrived in Washington to strengthen the garrison of 300 Regular Army soldiers that had been drawn from various commands to defend the capital.

Alabama

(Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis, who wanted Virginia in the Confederacy before Federal troops could suppress her, responded to Governor of Virginia, John Letcher telegraph the previous day, asking the Confederate government in Montgomery to form a military alliance,  (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis responds to this telegraph: “Resolution for alliance received. Proposition cordially accepted. Commissioner will be sent by next train.” 

Florida

The Confederates again demanded the surrender of Fort Pickens at Pensacola Bay but this was refused by the reinforced garrison.

Arkansas

The United States Army subsistence stores are seized at Pine Bluff.

Virginia

Virginia State Militia, Major General William B. Taliaferro is assigned to the command of the Virginia forces at Norfolk.

The United States Armoury and Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry was abandoned by Federal troops. Virginia State Militia, Brigadier General Kenton Harper led in his volunteer command, fearing resistance from a regiment of Massachusetts volunteers but the garrison had already departed to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Before leaving, the garrison burned the workshops and the building in which 17,000 muskets were stored.

Sketch: The burning of the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, 10 P.M. April 18, 1861



The steam frigate USS MERRIMACK was reported to be ready for sea at Norfolk, but during the previous night, secessionists had sunk light boats in the channel between Craney Island and Sewell’s Point, blocking USS MERRIMACK passage out to sea.

The United States Lighthouse Establishment schooner BUCHANAN which serves as a lighthouse tender was seized by the Confederates and taken to Rich­mond.

New York

Some 250,000 people took part in a United States rally in New York City, formerly a hotbed of pro-southern sentiment (the mayor had even proposed seceding from the rest of the state to become a free trade zone). A city merchant wrote, “The change in public sentiment here is wonderful–almost miraculous.” Influential New Yorker George Templeton Strong wrote: “Immense crowd; immense cheering. My eyes filled with tears, and I was half choked in sympathy with the contagious excitement. God be praised for the unity of feeling here!”