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

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

District of Columbia

Two of the three commissioners the Confederate Government had appointed to treat with the United States, John Forsythe of Alabama and Martin J. Crawford of Georgia, arrived in Washington, D.C.

Now former-President James Buchanan (1857-1861) spent the night after the inauguration at the home of a friend, (United States) Attorney for the District of Columbia, Robert Ould, in Washington, D.C. and then left for Lancaster, Pennsylvania by train. He was escorted across the city by friends from Lancaster and two troops of mounted infantry. He was well received when he changed trains in Baltimore and arrived at his home "Wheatland" outside Lancaster the next day.

The response to Lincoln’s Inaugural Address comes in from around the country. From Knoxville: “Mr. Lincoln’s Inaugural, if reported correctly, is universally condemned. Tennessee will fight him to the bitter end.” From Nashville: “The opinions on the Inaugural at Nashville are unfavorable. It is believed that Mr. Lincoln is determined to retake the forts and forcibly collect the revenue . . . . The people are awaiting the document in full.” To the Congress of the C.S.A., meeting in Montgomery, “Mr. Lincoln’s Inaugural Address is regarded here as a virtual declaration of war against the seceded States.”

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln announced the membership of his cabinet.

- Secretary of State – William Henry Seward (assumed on 6 March 1861).
- Secretary of the Treasury – Salmon Portland Chase.
- Secretary of the Navy – Gideon Welles.
- Secretary of War – Simon Cameron.
- Secretary of the Interior – Caleb Blood Smith.
- Attorney General – Edward Bates.
- Postmaster General – Montgomery Blair.

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln on his first day in office, read United States Army, Major Robert Anderson message (the one send on March 3rd). Lincoln had been briefed on the situation by outgoing (United States) President James Buchanan, but like Outgoing (United States) Secretary of War Joseph Holt, he did not know the extent of the crisis until this message arrived. United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott, had informed then (United States) secretary of state-designate, William H. Seward on March 2nd that a major effort to relieve Fort Sumter was impracticable. But that was just what Anderson was asking for now. Lincoln forwarded Anderson’s message to Scott, who concluded that there was “no alternative but a surrender,” because “we cannot send the third of men (that Anderson needed) in several months.” In his inaugural address, Lincoln had pledged to “hold, occupy, and possess” all Federal property in the South. To evacuate the garrison would mean to renege on a pledge at the very start of his presidency. But to hold Fort Sumter would mean to reinforce it, which the new Confederate government would see as an act of war. 

Alabama

Confederate States Lighthouse Bureau is established by the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States. The Chief of the Bureau was to report to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Texas

All United States troops in the Department of Texas were ordered by the Confederate authorities to travel to the coast for transportation to the state of New York.

Word arrives that Texas citizens have ratified the Ordinance of Secession by 45,000-40,000 votes. It is rumored that Governor Sam Houston opposes joining the Confederacy and that he is raising troops on his own account. Plans are made to replace him if he refuses the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States.

Missouri

The Missouri state convention resolved that the protest of St Louis against coercion be reduced to writing and a copy sent to the President of the United States. Resolutions were also adopted informing Georgia commissioner Luther J Glenn that Missouri dissented from the position taken by the state of Georgia and that Missouri refused to join Georgia in secession from the United States.

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

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln refused to meet three envoys sent by the Confederate Government, Martin J Crawford, John Forsyth, and A B Brown. The envoys attempted unsuccessfully to arrange meetings with the new Federal administration as if they represented a sovereign nation.

United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott, held a meeting at the War Department with new (United States) Navy Secretary Gideon Welles, outgoing (United States) Secretary of War Joseph Holt, incoming (United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron, and United States Army Chief Engineer General Joseph Totten. The general-in-chief explained that Anderson was isolated, and expeditions like the STAR OF THE WEST  mission in January could not be tried now because defenses at the harbor entrance were too strong. Scott asked for advice. According to Welles, Scott had “apprehensions, perhaps convictions that hostilities were in his opinion imminent and inevitable.” Scott concluded that if Anderson was to be reinforced, it would have to be by sea, and as such, this problem was “one for naval authorities to decide.”

Alabama

The Confederate Cabinet is completed, it comprised of the following members:

- Secretary of State Robert Augustus Toombs.
- Secretary of War Leroy Pope Walker.
- Secretary of the Navy Stephen Russell Mallory.
- Secretary of the Treasury Christopher G Memminger.
- Attorney General Judah Philip Benjamin.
- Postmaster General John Henninger Reagan.

Harper's Weekly: The Confederate Cabinet. L-R: Judah P. Benjamin, Stephen Mallory, Christopher Memminger, Alexander Stephens, LeRoy Pope Walker, Jefferson Davis, John H. Reagan and Robert Toombs



Missouri

The Missouri state convention called for a convention of the Southern states which had not yet seceded, to meet at Nashville, Tennessee, on 15 April 1861 “providing for such amendments to the Constitution of the United States as shall secure to all the states equal rights in the Union”, and declaring strongly against secession.

South Carolina

Confederate Army, Brigadier-General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard took steps to ensure that no supplies were available to help the garrison of Fort Sumter, where food was running out. He increased the frequency of training drills amongst the South Carolina Militia, preparing them to operate the guns facing the fort. Ironically, the fort’s garrison commander, United States Army, Major Robert Anderson had been Beauregard’s artillery instructor at West Point Military Academy and Beauregard had become Anderson’s assistant after graduation.

Texas

Surrender of Fort Brown to the Texas state authorities.

After United states Army, Brigadier General David Emanuel Twiggs surrendered his command, Texas authorities discussed with United states Army, Lieutenant B. H. Hill (U.S. Artillery), then in command of Fort Brown on the Rio Grande in deep south-east Texas, the evacuation of all federal troops who did not wish to join the Confederacy. Hill refused this, called it treason, and began to consolidate forces on the post. Later, he considered his isolated position, surrendered the fort, and marched with his men to the coast.

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

District of Columbia

The War Department meeting that had ended inconclusively on March 6th related to Fort Sumter resumed at the White House. (United States) President Abraham Lincoln and (United States) Secretary of State William H. Seward joined the attendees; former (United States) Secretary of War Joseph Holt was no longer needed now that (United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron was up to speed. While United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott and and United States Army Chief Engineer General Joseph Totten expressed doubts about using the army to reinforce Fort Sumter, (United States) Navy Secretary Gideon Welles was confident “that the navy could reinforce the garrison with men and provisions.” Scott noted that the sloop-of-war USS BROOKLYN was available for service if needed. Seward feared that any attempt to bolster Anderson might push the border states out of the United States. According to Welles, “No conclusion was arrived at.”

Alabama

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States approved three national defense measures. The first aimed “to provide speedily forces to repel invasion, maintain the rightful possession of the Confederate States, and to secure public tranquility and independence against threatened assault.” (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis was authorized to recruit a militia of up to 100,000 volunteers and to organize them into companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions. The recruits were to serve up to 12 months. This reflected the growing doubt among Confederate officials that the Lincoln administration would let the southern states leave in peace.

The second bill authorized creation of a Provisional Army of the Confederate States, consisting of regular and volunteer state militia. The president would apportion the officers. If war broke out, these volunteer militiamen would be required to serve for the war’s duration. The 12-month militia would be rolled up into this Provisional Army in time of war. Some opposed this measure because it gave the central government control over state troops, but supporters countered that centralization was needed to evenly regulate the recruiting, training, and supplying of the force.

The third bill authorized the organization of the Army of the Confederate States of America. Patterned after the United States Army, this force was to contain 9,420 men. According to (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis, this small number of professional soldiers indicated that the Confederacy above all else desired peace. Officers leaving the United States army would be offered the same rank in the new Confederate army. Ranks above colonel would be awarded by army officials, not politicians, to maintain military professionalism and minimize political influence.

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

District of Columbia

The three Confederate commissioners, Roman, Forsyth and Crawford, try to contact (United States) Secretary of State William H. Seward through Supreme Court Justice John A. Campbell.

Alabama

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States passes a bill authorizing the issuing of currency.

North Carolina

At the end of the week, a pro-United States citizen from Greensboro, North Carolina, notes in a confidential letter: “The only hope of the secessionists now is that some sort of collision will be brought about between federal and state forces in one of the seceding states.” He concludes hopefully concerning letting cooler heads prevail, “If you can do this, I believe I can say that Virginia can be kept from secession.”

North Carolina votes against holding a secession convention, the elected representatives standing two-to-one in favor of the United States.

South Carolina

A battery fires a shot at Fort Sumter, but the act is committed by mistake, when a practice using blank charges inadvertently contains a live round. Subsequent communication dismisses the possibility that anyone had acted intentionally to sabotage the relative state of peace in Charleston.

Florida

The town of St Augustine was entered by United States Navy, Captain Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers aboard the steam screw frigate USS WABASH. It was impossible to maintain permanent possession of the town without a garrison and the ship withdrew again to sea.

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

District of Columbia

(United States) President  Abraham Lincoln Lincoln held his first in-depth cabinet meeting. He explained to his advisors how dire the Fort Sumter situation was, and he asked their advice on whether the fort could or should be reinforced. (United States) Navy Secretary Gideon Welles and (United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron adopted United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott’s advice to evacuate. Seward also advised evacuation, asserting that such a move could appease the border states and embolden Pro-United States supporters in the Confederacy.

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln Lincoln wrote to United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott asking further details: “1st. To what point of time can Major Anderson maintain his position at Fort Sumter, without fresh supplies or reinforcement? 2d. Can you, with all the means now in your control, supply or re-inforce Fort Sumter within that time? 3d. If not, what amount of means and of what description, in addition to that already at your control, would enable you to supply and reinforce that fortress within the time?”

Alabama

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States authorized issuing up to $1 million in treasury notes in denominations of $50 and up. The notes would be payable after one year at 3.65 percent interest, and they could be used for all public debts except for the export tax that had been imposed on cotton on February 28th. A one-year reissue was also authorized.

Missouri

The Missouri Committee on United States Relations reported a series of resolutions, setting forth that at present “there was no adequate cause to impel Missouri to leave the Union, but that on the contrary she will labour for such an adjustment of existing troubles as would secure peace and the rights and equality of all the States; that the people of Missouri regard the amendments to the Constitution proposed by M Crittenden, with their extension to territory hereafter to be acquired, a basis of adjustment which would forever remove all difficulties; and that it was expedient for the Missouri state legislature to call a convention for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution”.

The Missouri Senate passed resolutions that their Senators be instructed, and Missouri’s Representatives requested, to “oppose the passage of all acts granting supplies of men and money to coerce the seceding states into submission or subjugation; and that, should such acts be passed by the US Congress, Missouri’s Senators would be instructed, and Missouri’s Representatives requested, to retire from the halls of Congress”.

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

District of Columbia

United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott received Lincoln’s queries (March 9th) met with (United States) Navy Secretary Gideon Welles and United states Navy, Commander James H. Ward, commanding the wooden screw sloop USS BROOKLYN. Ward proposed sending a small squadron of men into the harbor under cover of darkness aboard two swift tugboats. Apparently, that plan did not appeal to Scott because the next day, he submitted a gloomy response to Lincoln.

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

District of Columbia

United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott writes to (United States) President Abraham Lincoln Lincoln that there were only enough supplies in Fort Sumter to last Anderson’s men seven weeks, and he could not organize a relief expedition before those seven weeks were up. Such an effort would require 25,000 men and a “fleet of war vessels & transports,” which would take up to eight months to put together. Scott concluded: “It is, therefore, my opinion and advice, that Major Anderson be instructed to evacuate the fort so long gallantly held by him and his companions, immediately upon procuring suitable water transportation.” He prepared an evacuation order and waited for Lincoln’s approval.

Alabama

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States unanimously approved the Constitution of the Confederate States of America and sent it out for ratification by the seceding states. The Constitution broadly followed that of the United States but prohibited the passage of any “law denying or impairing the right of property in Negro slaves”. It prohibited the “importation of negroes of the African race from any foreign country other than the Untied States of America“. It also gave the Confederate Congress the power to “prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of or territory not belonging to” the Confederacy. The preamble included a declaration of the “sovereign and independent character” of each State.

The Confederate Constitution authorized the President to nominate and appoint General Officers for service in the Confederate Army. The first two men to be appointed were Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and Braxton Bragg, commanding the forces gathering around Charleston, South Carolina, and Pensacola, Florida, respectively.

Florida

Confederate States Army,  Brigadier General Braxton Bragg, assumes the command of all the Confederate forces in Florida.

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

New York

The three ships of the United States Navy assigned to foreign stations had all been recalled. Sidewheel steam frigate USS POWAHTAN reached New York from its station at Vera Cruz, Mexico, after operating previously in the Pacific Ocean around China and Japan.

Texas

Fort McIntosh was abandoned by United States forces led by United States Army, Major C C Sibley  (3rd US Infantry).

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

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln meets with Gustavus V. Fox and Fox explained his plan. Rather than try to send a large, conspicuous ship through the channel as was done with the STAR OF THE WEST, Fox proposed sending several small, fast-moving vessels that Confederate gunners would have a harder time seeing or hitting with their batteries. The men called United States Army, General-in Chief Major-General Winfield Scott in to share the plan with him, but Scott still believed that “as a practical military question the time for succoring Fort Sumter with any means at hand had passed away nearly a month ago.”

Alabama

The Alabama State Convention ratified the Confederate Constitution, 87-5. It also transferred control of the forts, arsenals, and other facilities in the state to the Confederate Government.

Florida

It was reported by United States Army, Captain J. M. Brannon, commanding Fort Taylor that "everything is quiet at Key West to this date"-a tribute to the firm policing of the area by United States naval vessels.

Missouri

United States Army, Captain Nathaniel Lyon (2d US Infantry) is assigned to the command of the St. Louis Arsenal, with subsequent orders to arm the loyal citizens and execute the laws of the United States of America.

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

Louisiana

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States passed a resolution accepting the $536,000 given it by the state of Louisiana on March 7th 1861 with “a high sense of the patriotic liberality of the State of Louisiana.”

Alabama

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States authorised the appointment of a fifth Brigadier-General in the Regular Army of the Confederate States. One of these Brigadier-Generals was authorised to be appointed as Adjutant-General and Inspector-General. All the Brigadier-Generals were to be commissioned from the date of March 16th 1861, with their relative rank determined by their former grades in the United States Army.

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

District of Columbia

After being asked their opinions by (United States) President Abraham Lincoln, all of the Cabinet members except for Montgomery Blair advised against the reinforcement of the beleaguered garrison at Fort Sumter. (United States) Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Portland Chase and (United States) Secretary of State William Henry Seward opposed the move unless Fort Pickens was also reinforced. Seward even made unauthorised assurances to Governor of South Carolina, Pickens that the fort would presently be surrendered to the state authorities. Advice from the Army recommended that a force of 20,000 men would be required to achieve a relief if required but that was a force far beyond Federal capacity. The Navy, on the other hand, reported that a re-supply expedition was a feasible option.

Alabama

Confederate States Army, Colonel Abraham Myers was appointed Quarter-Master General of the Confederate Army.

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States authorised the construction of or purchase of ten gun-boats for service with the Confederate Navy.

Territory of Arizona

The Arizona (Territory) State Convention held at Mesilla, votes to leave the United States.

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

District of Columbia

(United States) President Lincoln receives the written recommendations from his cabinet on Fort Sumter.

Alabama

The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States approved resolutions asking state officials to “cede the forts, arsenals, navy-yards, dock-yards, and other public establishments within their respective limits to the Confederate States.” Adhering to states’ rights, the Confederate government issued this as a request, not a demand. Meanwhile, the Confederate Convention that had assembled at Montgomery on February 4th adjourned. The new government of the new nation under a new Constitution was now up and running.

Three Confederate commissioners were named to Britain: William Lowndes Yancy, Pierre A. Rost, and A. Dudley Mann. Their job was to negotiate official recognition.

The Regular Navy of the Confederate States was established by an act of the Provisional Congress.

The Confederate States’ Marine Corps was established by an act of the Provisional Congress. As originally legislated, the CSMC was to be a battalion-sized force of six companies with a headquarters element commanded by a Major of Marines.

Virginia

Harper’s Weekly: The Norfolk Navy Yard is one of the best in the United States. It is provided with all the usual furniture of a navy yard – ship houses; store houses; foundries; etc., and has, besides, a granite dock which cost a million of dollars. At this navy yard, is anchored, as receiving ship, USS PENNSYLVANIA, the largest line-of-battleship in the world. She is shown in the fore-ground of the picture, March 16, 1861



Arizona Territory

The Arizona Territory State Convention at Mesilla voted to leave the United States and sought accession by the Confederacy.

Georgia

Georgia Secession Convention, which had reconvened on March 7th, ratifies Confederate Constitution 276 - 0.

Louisiana

The Louisiana state legislature voted down an ordinance that would have submitted the Confederate Constitution to a vote by the people of the state.

Mississippi Militia, Major General Earl Van Dorn was appointed Colonel in the Confederate Army and assumed command of the forts protecting New Orleans.

Texas

The Secession Convention declares the office of the governor vacant and swears in Lieutenant Governor Edward Clark as Houston’s replacement, replacing Sam Houston, who is evicted from the office for refusing to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy.

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

Texas

Camp Wood and Camp Hudson are abandoned by United States Army forces.

Louisiana

The Confederate Navy Department sent Commander Lawrence Rousseau, Commander Ebenezer Farrand, and Lieutenant Robert T Chapman to New Orleans to negotiate for the construction of gunboats for service on the Mississippi River.

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

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln still "intensely perturbed over Fort Sumter."

Arkansas

By a vote of 39-35 the Arkansas convention defeats a secession motion. Instead, they vote to allow a general election in August to determine the question of secession.

Texas

Former Governor of Texas, Sam Houston, quietly leaves office rather than swear allegiance to the Confederacy.

Florida

Confederate Army, Brigadier-General Braxton Bragg issued an order forbidding the passage of supplies to the United States garrison at Fort Pickens or to the United States Navy squadron off Pensacola. United States garrisons remained in possession of two posts in Florida: Fort Taylor at Key West and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas but the Confederates had no practicable means by which to threaten or occupy these Federal posts.

United States Army, Lieutenant Adam Jacoby Slemmer, commanding the garrison at Fort Pickens, complied with existing laws and returned four fugitive slaves to their masters.

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Events leading up to the United States Civil War, March 19th 1861

Texas

Fort Clarke, Fort Inge, and Fort Lancaster were abandoned by their United States Army garrisons.