CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR
(Obviously, it is not possible to list all 6,000 engagements during the Civil
War, and only the most important are mentioned.)
1861
| January 9 | First shots fired at steamship "Star of the West," driven out of Charleston, South Carolina, harbor while en route to provision Fort Sumter. |
| January 12 | Navy at Pensacola, Florida, surrendered to Confederates. |
| February 4 | Confederate Government organized in Montgomery, Alabama. |
| February 18 | Jefferson Davis inaugurated as President of Provisional Government, C. S. A. |
| March 4 | Abraham Lincoln first inaugurated as President of the United States. |
| April 12 | Fort Sumter bombarded by Confederate shore batteries and forced to surrender. |
| April 19 | President Lincoln proclaims naval blockade. |
| June 3 | Skirmish at Philippi, Virginia (now West Virginia), resulting in first Union victory. |
| June 10 | Skirmish at Bethel Church, first clash in eastern Virginia. |
| June 17 | Skirmish at Boonville, Missouri, first clash in that state. |
| July 21 | First battle of Manassas (Bull Run). |
| August 10 | Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri. |
| August 28 | Federal joint army–navy expedition to Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, resulting in capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark. |
| September 10 | Battle of Lucas's Bend, Missouri, first engagement of Union's Western Flotilla. |
| October 11 | C. S. S. "Nashville," early Confederate sea raider, escapes to the high seas from Charleston harbor. |
| October 12 | C. S. S. ram "Manassas" attacks Federal, blockading vessels at Head of the Passes in the Mississippi River, damaging the U. S. S. "Richmond." |
| October 21 | Battle of Ball's Bluff, Virginia. |
| November 7 | Battle of Belmont, Missouri. |
| November 7 | Federal amphibious army–navy expedition captures Port Royal, South Carolina. |
| November 8 | "Trent" affair, involving seizure of Confederate Commissioners Mason and Slidell from British mail steamer on the high seas. |
1862
| January 19 | Battle of Mill Springs (Logan's Cross Roads), Kentucky. |
| February 6 | Fort Henry captured by Flag Officer Foote's gunboats. |
| February 8 | Roanoke Island, North Carolina, captured by Federal amphibious army–navy expedition. |
| February 16 | Fort Donelson captured by Grant after four-day siege and bombardment by naval gunboats under Flag Officer Foote. |
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