September 4, 1861 Excitement flared… on 4 September when Confederate Major General Leonidas Polk occupied strategic Columbus, Kentucky, fifty miles downstream from Paducah on the Mississippi River.

September 3, 1861 In response to a federal build-up in the West, Leonidas Polk orders Gideon Pillow to lead a force into Kentucky to take Columbus, Kentucky, on September 3, 1861, violating Kentucky’s declared “neutrality” and provoking the State and the majority of its citizens to adhere to the Union. Bushwhackers from northwestern Missouri undermine [...]

September 2, 1861 Vernon County, Missouri—Battle of the Mules [Confederate], Battle of Dry Wood Creek [Union] On September 2nd, Grant’s Federals occupied Belmont, preparatory to seizing Columbus, across the Mississippi river. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Sec. of the Treasury issued an appeal to the people for a national loan. Legislature [...]

September 1, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Fight at Boone Court House, Va.; rebels routed and village burned. Fight at Bennett’s Mills, Mo. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

August 31, 1861 Samuel Cooper, Robert E. Lee, Albert Sidney Johnston, Joseph E. Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard are promoted to full general.

A bushwhacker, or Confederate guerilla fighter. Wood engraving, American, 1867 “Civil War Guerilla, Engraving, 1667.” Granger. Accessed August 29, 2021. www.granger.com/results.asp?inline=true&image=0066702….

August 30, 1861 John C. Fremont declares martial law in Missouri and frees slaves of Missouri Confederates. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Fort Morgan, at Okracoke, abandoned by the rebels. (Alabama) Major-Gen. Fremont issued a proclamation declaring martial law throughout Missouri, and also declaring that the property of rebels should be [...]

The fatal shooting of Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth, Colonel of the New York Fire Zouaves and the first notable Northern fatality of the Civil War, in Alexandria, Virginia on 24 May 1861. Steel engraving, 19th century. “Zouave Fatality, 1861.” Granger. Accessed August 29, 2021. www.granger.com…. Mike’s notes: Image restoration note – This image has been digitally [...]

August 29, 1861 The Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries gives Federal forces control of Pamlico Sound. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Lexington, Mo., attacked by 2,000 rebels. The place was defended by 250 men, who successfully beat off their assailants. Twenty~three rebels captured at Greytown, Mo. A Chronological History of the [...]

August 28, 1861 Union forces attack Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries which lasts for two days. Ulysses S. Grant is given command of federal forces in Southern Illinois and Southeastern Missouri. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Bombardment and capture of forts Clark and Hatteras on [...]

August 27, 1861 Union forces take fortifications on Cape Hatteras.

August 26, 1861 Battle of (Kessler’s) Cross Lanes. General John Floyd routs an Ohio regiment General Benjamin Butler leads a successful amphibious landing on Cape Hatteras. King Kamehameha IV proclaimed the neutrality of the Hawaiian Islands during the Civil War. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Seventh Ohio Regiment, while breakfasting at [...]

August 24, 1861 President Davis names James M. Mason as commissioner to Great Britain and John Slidell as commissioner to France. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Of?ces of the Bridgeport (Ct) Farmer and of the Cumberland (Md) Alleghanian (secession papers) destroyed by mobs. Mayor Berrett, of Washington, D. C., arrested on [...]

August 23, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 A large portion of the Cherokee Indians seceded and joined the Confederates. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

August 21, 1861 Second Wheeling Convention adjourns. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Wheeling Convention adjourned sine die. Skirmish at Cross Lanes, Va. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

August 20, 1861 The pro-Union Second Wheeling Convention calls for the creation of the state of Kanawha A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Skirmish at Hawk’s Nest, in the Kanawha Valley, Va.: 4,000 rebels attacked the barricades of the 11th Ohio Regiment, and were driven back with the loss of 50 killed. [...]

August 19, 1861 Henry Halleck promoted to Major General. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 U. S. Sec. of War issued an order calling upon governors of States to send immediately to Washington all regiments and parts of regiments within their respective jurisdictions. U. S. Sec. of State ordered that all persons [...]

August 18, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Gen. Wool took command of Fortress Monroe. Skirmishes at Charleston, Mo. Sentinel office at Easton, Pa., destroyed by a mob—cause, secession proclivities. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

August 17, 1861 George Thomas appointed brigadier general of volunteers, Army of the Cumberland.

August 16, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 President Lincoln declared by proclamation the States of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas in insurrection, and ordered all commercial intercourse between the North and seceded States to cease. Rebel camp at Fredericktown, Md., attacked, and 12 of the enemy taken prisoners. Several [...]

August 15, 1861 General George McClellan assumes command of the Army of the Potomac. The Department of Kentucky and the Department of the Cumberland are combined under General Robert Anderson. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 President Davis ordered all Northern men to leave the Confederacy within 40 days. A Chronological History [...]

August 14, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Martial law was declared in St. Louis by Major Gen. Fremont. Mutiny in the 79th New York Regiment at Washington. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

August 13, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Rebels driven from Grafton, Va, and the place occupied by Union troops—21 rebels killed. Skirmish at Matthias Point, Va. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

August 12, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Arrest of Hon. C. J. Faulkner, late U. S. Minister to France. Of?ce of the Bangor (Me) Democrat, a secession paper, entirely destroyed by a mob. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and [...]