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

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

District of Columbia

Outgoing President James Buchanan, in light of the impending war between North and South, calls for a Day of Special Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer.

Florida

The Florida state convention met to discuss matters of secession.

Maryland

Governor of Maryland, Thomas H Hicks issued an address to the people of Maryland against secession, and Henry Winter Davis addressed the citizens of Maryland in favour of the Union. Numerous pro-Union meetings took place throughout the state of Maryland.

Alabama

The United States Arsenal at Mount Vernon in Mobile was seized by Alabama state troops on orders from Governor A B Moore. The Arsenal was commanded by United states Army, Captain Jesse Lee Reno and held a stock of 20,000 arms, 1,500 barrels of gunpowder (150,000 pounds), several cannons, and a large quantity of munitions.

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

District of Columbia

The United States senators from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas met to discuss the options for seceding from the United States.

The faces of the Georgia Delegation in Congress: 

- United States Senator from Georgia: Robert Augustus Toombs.
- United States Senator from Georgia: Alfred Iverson, Sr.
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 1st district: Peter Early Love.
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 2nd district: Martin Jenkins Crawford.
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 3rd district: Thomas Hardeman, Jr..
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 4th district: Lucius Jeremiah Gartrell.
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 5th congressional district: John William Henderson Underwood.
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 6th district: James Jackson.
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 7th congressional district: Joshua Hill.
- United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 8th congressional district: John James Jones.

Harper's Weekly: The Georgia Delegation in Congress, 1861



New York

The steamship STAR OF THE WEST under the command of Captain John McGowan sailed from New York City with 250 men as reinforcements and supplies for the garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbour. United States Army, Major-General Winfield Scott had decided on his own initiative to use the STAR OF THE WEST rather than the USS BROOKLYN, stationed at Norfolk, Virginia which had previously been notified to prepare for the mission as it was assumed that a civilian vessel was less likely to agitate South Carolinians than a United State Navy warship.

Alabama

Alabama state troops take possession of Forts Morgan and Gaines at the entrance to Mobile Bay.

Maryland

Forty Marines, under the command of United States Marine Corps, Captain Algernon S. Taylor, garrisoned Fort Washington on the Potomac River, 14 miles south of Washington, D.C. Commandant of the Marine Corps , Colonel John Harris was ordered by the (United states) Secretary of the Navy to dispatch this force "to protect public property." Captain Taylor chose his men from those stationed at the Washington Navy Yard and, with rations for 15 days, attempted to prepare embrasures for mounting howitzers. Fort Washington had not been actively maintained for a number of years, rendering it in considerable disrepair. Taylor was genuinely doubtful of the ability of 40 Marines to hold the bastion for any length of time but, despite his pleas, no reinforcements were received.

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

New York

New York mayor, Fernando Wood, calls for New York city to secede from the United States in an effort to remain neutral for the upcoming conflict.

Florida

The Florida state militia took control of the United States Arsenal at Apalachicola.

Tennessee

The Tennessee state legislature met to discuss the matter of secession.

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

District of Columbia

United States Senator from Kentucky, John J. Crittenden is beginning to sound less like the Great Compromiser and fellow Kentuckian Henry Clay than a voice crying in the wilderness of sectionalism and secession: “I am for the Union, but, my friends, I must also be for the equal rights of my State under this great Constitution and in this great Union.” Conventions in two Southern states—Alabama and Mississippi—are threatening to make such arguments moot.

Alabama

The Alabama state convention met to discuss matters of secession.

Florida

The Florida state convention received Commissioners from South Carolina and Alabama.

The United States Arsenal and Fort Marion at St Augustine were seized by Florida state troops.

Georgia

The United States Arsenal at Chattahoochee was seized by the state authorities with 500,000 rounds of musket cartridges, 300,000 rifle cartridges, and 50,000 pounds of gunpowder but no arms.

Mississippi

The Mississippi state convention met to discuss matters of secession.

New Mexico Territory

Fort Fauntleroy was abandoned.

Tennessee

The Tennessee legislature met to discuss matters of secession.

Virginia

A special session of the Virginia General Assembly convened in Richmond under a proclamation by Governor of Virginia John Letcher. In the evening session, the House passed a resolution declaring the United States had no power to declare war against the states and opposing any attempt by the federal government to force seceding states back into the United States. The vote was 112 to 5, with member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Arthur Boreman (Wood County district), James D. Morris (Marshall County district), G. McC. Porter (Brooke County district and Hancock County district), Nathaniel Richardson (Ohio County district) and A. S. Watts (Norfolk County district) voting against the resolution.

Maine

Portland advertiser (The Leading Republican Newspaper) Finances of the South: The messages of the Governors of some of the cotton States show that in the article of money, which is quite important as muskets and without which muskets cannot be procured, they are lamentably deficient, and forced loans are demanded to pay the expenses of the secession… The six seceeding cotton States, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, have state debts amounting to thirty-two millions, and all this is to be paid form the profits of their single staple, cotton, If in time of peace these states run so far and fast behind it is fair to suppose that they would become hopelessly bankrupt with the expense of secession and of war upon their shoulders, and that their bonds would not be worth ten cents in the dollar in any foreign money market.

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

District of Columbia

Outgoing President James Buchanan sends a special message to Congress which endorses Senator John J. Crittenden’s proposal to resurrect the old Missouri Compromise line. Also, Buchanan places the onus of responsibility for solving the crisis on the legislative branch. 

The last southerner in the president Buchanan cabinet, Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson of Mississippi resigned because he disagreed with the decision to send the STAR OF THE WEST with troops aboard to reinforce Charleston.

Alabama

The Alabama state convention received Commissioners from South Carolina.

Florida

The United States garrison at Fort Barrancas near Pensacola fired on a party of twenty pro-Confederate militants who had expected to find the fort undefended and drove the intruders away without casualties.

North Carolina

The North Carolina Senate bill to arm the State forces passed the North Carolina House.

South Carolina

The United States Sub-Treasury at Charleston was seized by South Carolina state troops.

Virginia

Meetings were held at Wellsburg, Wetzel County, and Kanawha County. At Wellsburg, the Wellsburg Union Club was formed with the object of maintaining the United States constitution and promoting the United States and enforcement of its laws. At the meeting in Kanawha County, resolutions were adopted calling for a convention in Virginia, favoring preservation of the United States if consistent with the rights and honor of the South, and opposing federal use of force against seceding states.

A detachment of more than 60 United States soldiers arrived at Harpers Ferry. Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Armory in Harpers Ferry, Alfred M. Barbour had informed his superiors several days earlier that he feared an assault and had organized volunteer companies to protect the armory. In response, (United States) Secretary of War Joseph Holt had ordered United States Army, Brevet Major Henry J. Hunt to Harpers Ferry to assume military command of the armory, assisted by United States Army, First Lieutenant Roger Jones.

Texas

Irregularly arranged voting for a Texas convention begins after Governor Sam Houston refused to call a session of the legislature.

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

Maryland

Thirty Marines, from the Washington Navy Yard, under the command of United States Marine Corps, First Lieutenant Andrew J. Hays, garrisoned Fort McHenry, Baltimore. First Lieutenant Hays had orders from the Commandant to merely occupy the fort until relieved by Army troops, at which time he was to return to Washington. 

Mississippi

The state of Mississippi passed the Ordinance of Secession and seceded from the United States by a vote of 84 to 15. In the ordinance, the people of Mississippi expressed their consent to form a union with those States that had seceded or may in future secede from the United States of America. Mississippi became the second state to secede after South Carolina and claimed independence, pending the creation of a Confederacy of seceded states.

North Carolina

Fort Johnston was occupied by North Carolina state troops and citizens from Smithville.

(South Carolina): The firing of steamship STAR OF THE WEST at Charleston’s harbor

The steamship STAR OF THE WEST under the command of Captain McGowan was fired upon by cadets from the Citadel Military Academy who were located on Morris Island and at Fort Moultrie. They were the only available trained artillerymen under South Carolina State control. The ship had tried to land its reinforcements and supplies at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour but turned back undamaged after being fired upon.

Harper's Weekly: Firing on the "STAR OF THE WEST" from the South Carolina battery on Morris Island, January 9, 1861



Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper: STAR OF THE WEST approaching Fort Monroe (center right), under fire from batteries on Morris Island (far left) and Fort Moultrie (far right)



Virginia

The Virginia state legislature passed a resolution asking for the status quo to be maintained with respect to the seceded states.

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

District of Columbia

William Seward accepted (United States) President-elect Abraham Lincoln's invitation to become Secretary of State.

Florida

Florida continues the disunion momentum with a 62-7 vote to secede.

United States Army, Lieutenant Adam Jacoby Slemmer, commanding Company G of the 1st Regiment of United States Artillery in the absence of United States Army, Captain John Henry Winder, spiked the guns at Fort Barrancas near Pensacola, blew up the ammunition at Fort McRae, and occupied Fort Pickens.

North Carolina

Fort Caswell was occupied by North Carolina state troops and citizens from Smithville and Wilmington.

Texas

Federal guns and military stores on board the steamship TEXAS were seized by Texas State troops in Galveston.

Virginia

The Governor of Virginia, John Letcher transmitted a despatch from the Mississippi Convention, announcing the option of unconditional secession from the United States and desiring on the basis of the old Constitution to form a new union with the seceding States. The Virginia House adopted an amendment submitting to a vote of the people the question of referring for their decision any action of the convention dissolving Virginia’s connection to the United States, or changing its organic law. The Richmond Enquirer denounced “the emasculation of the Convention Bill as imperilling all that Virginians hold most sacred and dear.”

Louisiana

Following orders from Governor of Louisiana, Thomas O. Moore, who wanted to secure the city for the upcoming secession convention, Louisiana militia led by Militia Colonel Braxton Bragg surrounded the Federal Arsenal in Baton Rouge and demanded its surrender. United States Army, commander Captain Joseph H. Haskin, threatened with "a rash sacrifice of life" amongst his small force, complied. Louisiana now controlled a massive amount of small arms, ammunition, and artillery pieces, enough to supply neighboring Mississippi immediately with 50,000 small arms, 4 howitzers, 20 heavy pieces of ordnance and 300 barrels of gunpowder.

Massachusetts

Reinforcements intended for the garrison at Fort Pickens, Florida, departed from Boston harbour.

Mississippi

The state of Mississippi received Commissioners from other States and adopted several resolutions recognising South Carolina as a sovereign and independent state.

Maryland

United States Army, Colonel Harvey Brown, attached thirty Marines and their commanding officer Untied states Marine Corps, First Lieutenant Andrew J. Hays now garrisoned at Fort McHenry, Baltimore to his command. A telegram from the Secretary of the Navy, however, obtained the release and return of the force. Hays reported "the detachment as having behaved remarkably well, obeying all orders promptly and cheerfully; which is saying a great deal for recruits in this inclement weather."

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

District of Columbia

(United States) Secretary of the Treasury Philip F Thomas from Maryland resigned, completing the withdrawal of all Southern sympathisers from outgoing President James Buchanan’s cabinet. Thomas resigned because of differences with the President and a majority of the Cabinet, “in the measures which have been adopted in reference to the recent condition of things in South Carolina,” especially “touching the authority, under existing laws, to enforce the collection of the customs at the port of Charleston”.

John Adams Dix of New York is appointed to become the 24th United States Secretary of the Treasury, replacing Philip F Thomas as United States Secretary of the Treasury.

Alabama

Alabama left the United States when its Secession Convention passed its ordinance in the early afternoon at Montgomery by a vote of 61 to 39. Citing the republicans as "a sectional party, avowedly hostile to the domestic institutions, and peace and and security of the people of the State of Alabama," the legislation also invited "the slaveholding states of the South" to meet in Montgomery on February 4th 1861 to form a confederated government.

Virginia

Robert E. Cowan, member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Preston County, spoke on the bill to call a state convention. Cowan voiced his intention to vote in favor of the convention, "believing it to be the only medium through which anything could be done to preserve the honor and integrity of Virginia," and spoke in support of submitting the actions of the convention to the people. He also asserted that he "and my people" would go with Virginia if the convention effort failed.

Louisiana

Fort Jackson and Fort St Phillip at the mouth of the Mississippi River, and the United States Marine Hospital two miles below New Orleans were seized by Louisiana state troops by the order of Governor of Louisiana, Thomas O Moore.

Mississippi

The Mississippi River was blocked at Vicksburg by the deployment of a Mississippi State artillery battery.

South Carolina

Governor of South Carolina, Francis W Pickens sent his Secretary of State, A.G. Magrath, and his Secretary of War, D.F. Jamison, under a flag of truce to Fort Sumter to request that United States Army Major, Robert Anderson and his men evacuate and turn over the installation to South Carolina. After an extended discussion, Anderson declined to surrender the fort. He did request Pickens to allow one of his officers to travel to Washington D.C. for instructions and the next day the Governor complied.

Florida

The formal Ordinance of Secession was signed on the east steps of the Florida capitol and Florida became the third state to declare its independence.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, January 12th 1861

Florida

Seven companies of militia from Florida and Alabama appeared at the Pensacola Navy Yard and demanded its United States Navy, Captain James Armstrong surrender the base to the independent state of Florida. With little means to resist, Armstrong complied. Fort Barrancas was seized at the same time leaving the vitally strategic Fort Pickens, with eighty-one men under United States Army, Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer as the only federal installation in United States hands.

Mississippi

The state of Mississippi withdrew its representatives from the United States Congress.

Tennessee

The state of Tennessee passed the Convention Bill.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, January 13th 1861

District of Columbia

Outgoing President James Buchanan received envoys sent by United States Army, Major Robert Anderson (Lieutenant J Norman Hall), and from the South Carolina Governor, Francis W Pickens, (J W Hayne), regarding the status of Fort Sumter. Buchanan sought to avoid a hostile reaction but emphasised that Fort Sumter could not and would not be turned over to the South Carolina state authorities.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, January 14th 1861

District of Columbia

The Committee of Thirty-three and the Committee of Thirteen were unable to reach an acceptable compromise about slavery and the issues prompting the actual or threatened secession of several Southern states. The United States House of Representatives agreed on the Corwin Amendment as a solution. The Corwin Amendment proposed that the United States Constitution would shield the “domestic institutions” of the states (including slavery) from the constitutional amendment process and from abolition or interference by Congress. This proposal would be considered and rejected as inadequate by Southern states and an excessive compromise by Abolitionists.

Virginia

The Virginia General Assembly passed an act providing for an election on February 4th at which delegates to a convention would be selected and also at which the sentiments of the voters as to whether any action of the convention for secession or changing state law should be put before the people for approval.

Florida

United States Army troops under United States Army, Captain John Milton Brannan (1st US Artillery) occupied Fort Taylor at Key West.

Louisiana

Louisiana State troops occupied Fort Pike near New Orleans.

South Carolina

The South Carolina state legislature declared that any attempt to reinforce the United States garrison at Fort Sumter would be considered an open act of hostility and a declaration of war. The legislature also approved the Governor’s action in firing on the STAR OF THE WEST when it had tried to bring supplies to the garrison. By describing any such efforts by the Federal authorities as a hostile act, the South Carolina legislature attempted to place the blame for any future conflict on the United States Government. The United States Government, for its part, insisted on its right to free passage and movement of military forces to any location in the United States.

Maine

Portland advertiser (The Leading Republican Newspaper) Annual report of the adjunct general: The returns of Enrolled Militia show a total of 55,961. These are merely returns of the number of men liable for military duty – there being in fact no regular enrollments. There are returns from only about three-fourths of the towns.

In the Volunteer Militia, there are now organized seven companies of Artillery, two of Cavalry, eighteen of Light Infantry, and eight of riflemen, embracing 1124 non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates. Seventeen companies which had become disorganized or inefficient, have been disbanded. The arms in possession of troops and towns, amount to 26 brass 6 pounders, 2470 muskets, 504 “musketoons”, 470 rifles...Besides these 1086muskets, 80 musketoons, and 453 rifles are in possession of “disbanded companies. “ …It is very properly urged that measures should be at once taken to increase the efficiency of the whole military department of the State.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, January 15th 1861

California

United States Army, Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston assumed command of the Department of the Pacific.

Florida

The United States Coast Survey steamer DANA was seized by Florida State troops at St Augustine.

A second demand for the surrender of Fort Pickens was refused by the garrison commander US Army, Lieutenant Adam Jacoby Slemmer.

Arkansas

The Arkansas state legislature passed the Convention Bill.

Missouri

The Missouri House and Senate passed the Convention Bill.

South Carolina

The South Carolina Commissioner to Washington, D.C, demanded the withdrawal of the United States garrison from Fort Sumter.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, January 16th 1861

District of Columbia

The six Military Departments reported the following numbers available for duty:

East 3,894, West 3,585, Utah 685, California 3,382, New Mexico 2,624, and Texas 2,258.

The Department of the East manned the eastern coast fortifications with 18 artillery companies and one company of engineers but no infantry or cavalry. None were stationed in the vicinity of Washington, DC. The Department of Utah had three companies of dragoons, three companies of artillery, and four companies of infantry. Thirteen companies of infantry and two companies of dragoons were in the Department of New Mexico and one regiment of infantry was in the Department of Texas. There were forces also in the Department of California and the Department of Oregon.

(District of Columbia): United) States Secretary of War, Joseph Holt letter to United States Army, Major Anderson

(United) States Secretary of War, Joseph Holt sent United States Army, Major Anderson, commanding the United States garrison at Fort Sumter the following letter:

Major Robert Anderson,
First Artillery, commanding Fort Sumter:

Sir: You rightly designate the firing into the STAR OF THE WEST as an `act of war,’ and one which was actually committed without the slightest provocation. Your forbearance to return the fire is fully approved by the President. Unfortunately, the Government had not been able to make known to you that the Star of the West had sailed from New York for your relief. . . .

Your late dispatches have relieved the Government of the apprehensions previously entertained for your safety. In Consequence, it is not its purpose at present to reinforce you. The attempt to do so would, no doubt, be attended by a collision of arms and the effusion of blood—a national calamity which the President is most anxious to avoid.

Whenever, in your judgment, additional supplies or reinforcements are necessary for your safety, or for a successful defense of the fort, you will at once communicate that fact to this Department, and a prompt and vigorous effort will be made to forward them.

J. Holt

Florida

Steamer USS WYANDOTTE (former USS WESTERN PORT) sailed away from Fort Pickens followed a day latter by the store-ship SUPPLY to collect supplies and reinforcements for the isolated Fort Pickens.

Maryland

United States Marine Corps, Captain Taylor, commanding Fort Washington, reported to Colonel John Harris, commandant of the United States Marine Corps, that the fort was defenseless and vulnerable to attack and requested reinforcements.

Maine

At the state capital of Augusta, both houses of the Maine legislature voted unanimously to request that the governor offer to the President of the United States all assistance, including men and money, in the current crisis "for the maintenance of the Union and the enforcement of the laws."

Eastern Argus (The Leading Democrat Newspaper) Progress of revolution: South Carolina has declared herself out of the Union, “ a sovereign and independent State.” Mississippi has done likewise. Florida also and Alabama – four States now out of the Union. The Georgia convention meets to-day, (16th) The Louisiana convention meets on the 23rd, the Texas convention on the 28th inst. And the Arkansas convention on the 11th of February. The Virginia legislature is now in session and has called a convention to meet February 13th – The legislature of North Carolina will soon meet by adjournment, and will, doubtless, follow the example of her sister States in the revolutionary movement. We have before stated, and we now repeat the prediction, that unless some adjustment is soon affected, every slave State but Delaware will secede before the 4th of March…We may as well look the fact in the face. We must accept an adjustment or prepare for the destruction of the Union. That is the alternative, and the sooner we are convinced of it and act upon the conviction, the better.

Georgia

The 296 delegates to Georgia's secession convention assembled in the state capital of Milledgeville, with former governor of Georgia, George W. Crawford in the chair.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, January 17th 1861

Kentucky

The Kentucky state legislature met.

Georgia

The Georgia state convention met, and received Commissioners from South Carolina and Alabama.

Virginia

The Virginia state legislature passed resolutions proposing the Crittenden Resolutions as the basis for adjustment of relations between the states. The Virginians requested the United States Government to avoid any violent collision with the Southern states. Governor of Virginia, John Letcher communicated resolutions from the New York state legislature, expressing the utmost disdain for its contents, and saying that “the threat conveyed can inspire no terror in free men.” The resolutions were directed to be returned unanswered to the Governor of New York.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, January 18th 1861

District of Columbia

Joseph Holt resigned his post as United States Postmaster General after being appointed the 25th United States Secretary of War.

Alabama

Confederate sympathisers seized the United States lighthouse tender ALERT at Mobile.

Florida

The state of Florida appointed delegates to Southern Congress at Montgomery, Alabama.

Florida

Fort Jefferson, on the Dry Tortugas off Key West, was garrisoned by United States troops under United States Army, Captain Lewis Golding Arnold (2nd US Artillery).

A third demand for the surrender of Fort Pickens was refused by the United States garrison.

Georgia

The state of Georgia adopted resolutions declaring the State’s right and duty to secede.

Virginia

The Virginia state legislature appropriated $1,000,000 for the defence of the State.

Former (United States) President John Tyler (1841 to 1845) writes a letter to the Richmond Whig expressing his views that secession is a state’s legal right and is far preferable to rebellion.

United Kingdom

The Bank of England, Britain's central bank, had recently seen large recent transfers of gold to the United States due to the current American financial panic over the political situation there. Stress on the Bank was not helped by the £3,000,000 rush of British investors to take advantage of falling American stock prices. The relieve pressure on bullion, the Bank borrowed £1,200,000 in gold from the Bank of Russia in exchange for a similar value in silver.