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Election of Abraham Lincoln as President of United States
South Carolina secedes from the Union
Garrison of Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, moves to the more modern Fort Sumter
The battle that started the war. The Federal fort in Charleston Harbour was bombarded into surrender by the Confederates.
The first land battle of the Civil War, which gained its name for the speed of the Confederate retreat. There were only 17 casualties on either side!
Defeat of a Federal attack on the fort at Big Bethal in Virginia.
Federal victory in West Virginia.
Action during the pursuit of the army defeated at Rich Mountain, in which the Confederate commander General Garnett becomes the first civil war general to be killed in action.
Confederate victory over a Union army invading Virginia. Bull Run ensured that the Confederacy would survive past its first few months but also increased determination to fight on in the North.
General McClellan appointed to command the army of the Potomac.
Battle in Missouri that saw the death of the key Federal commander in the area.
28-29 August 1861, Battle of Hatteras, North Carolina
The first of a series of battles that saw the Confederates loose control of most of the North Carolina coastline.
Confederate forces in the south of West Virginia defeated by General Rosecrans
A Confederate defeat in West Virginia, notable as the first battle commanded by General Lee.
Defeat of a Union attempt to capture Leesbury (Virginia), forty miles up-river from Washington.
An early battle in the career of U.S. Grant. An attempt to create a diversion in the Mississippi campaign, most significant for the battlefield experience it gave Grant.
Important Union naval victory against the land fortifications of Port Royal. The victory gave the Union control of the coastal islands of South Carolina.