Timeline of 1861
Union Events
Confederate Events
The Confederate States of America (CSA) is formed by Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.
Jefferson Davis is made provisional president of the Confederacy.
Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as president of the USA.
Confederate forces open fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, the first shots of the Civil War.
Fort Sumter surrenders.
Robert E Lee is offered command of the Union Army.
Lincoln calls for 75.000 militiamen.
Virginia secedes from the Union.
Union forces abandon Harpers Ferry Arsenal, Virginia.
Lincoln orders the blockade of Confederate ports.
Union forces abandon Navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia.
Robert E Lee resigns from the Union Army and accepts command of the forces of Virginia.
Arkansas secedes from the Union.
Confederate Congress declare war on the Union.
North Carolina secedes from the Union.
Richmond, Virginia, named capital of the Confederacy.
Tennessee secedes from the Union.
Confederate forces defeat the Union forces at Big Bethel, Virginia.
West Virginia secedes from Virginia and joins the Union.
The US congress calls for 500.000 men.
Confederate forces defeat the Union forces at Bull Run, Virginia.
Confederate forces defeat the Union forces at Wilson's Creek, Missouri.
Confederate forces defeat the Union forces at Lexington, Missouri.
Fort Hatteras, North Carolina, captured by Union forces.
Confederate forces defeat the Union forces at Ball's Bluff, Virginia.
Missouri secedes from the Union, but is forced to remain in the Union.
George B. McClellan replaces Winfield Scott as commander of the Union armed forces.
Union forces capture Port Royal, South Carolina.
Confederate forces defeat the Union forces at Belmont, Missouri.
Two Confederate officials sailing toward the United Kingdom are seized by the US Navy. The UK demands their release and they are soon set free.