June 17, 1861 Battle of Vienna, Virginia. Nathaniel Lyons captures Boonville Battle of Booneville, Mo.: rebels under Price and Jackson routed by Gen. Lyon. Wheeling Convention approves the “Declaration of Rights” which characterizes the government in Richmond, which seceded from the union, as illegitimate and illegal. The document also calls for the reorganization of the [...]
June 15, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Privateer “Savannah” arrived at New York a prize of the U. S. brig “Perry.” Gen. Lyon occupied Jefferson City, Mo. Gen. Price retreated to Booneville. Harper’s Ferry occupied by the Union forces. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard [...]
June 14, 1861 General Joseph Johnston begins to withdraw from Harpers Ferry by blowing up the 800-foot B&O trestle over the Potomac River Skirmish, Seneca Mills, Md. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Rebels evacuated and burned Harper’s Ferry, destroyed the railroad bridge, and took the armory machinery to Richmond. Another street [...]
June 13, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Fast day in the Confederate States, in accordance with the President’s proclamation. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
June 11, 1861 First session of the Second Wheeling Convention A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Col. Wallace surprised and routed a rebel force of 800 at Romney, Va. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
June 10, 1861 Battle of Big Bethel: Confederate troops under John B. Magruder defeat a much larger Union force led by General Ebenezer W. Pierce in Virginia. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Battle of Big Bethel, Va.—Union force repulsed. Major-Gen. Banks assumed command of the Department of Annapolis. A Chronological History [...]
June 8, 1861 Virginia turns its state militia over to the Confederate States of America By a vote of 108,339 to 47,233, Tennessee decides to secede from the United States A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 North Carolina State Convention ratified the C. S. Constitution. Gen. Patterson’s advance moved from Chambersburg toward [...]
June 6, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 The “Harriet Lane” engaged the Pig Point (Potomac) batteries. Captain Ball’s rebel cavalry, captured at Alexandria, sworn, and let go. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
June 4, 1861 Delegates to the Second Wheeling Convention are selected.
June 3, 1861 Stephen A. Douglas dies from typhoid fever, Chicago, IL Battle of Philippi (also called the Philippi Races): Union forces rout Confederate troops in Barbour County, Virginia, now West Virginia. First land engagement of the Civil War between American and Confederate forces A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Battle of [...]
June 1, 1861 The Battle of Fairfax Court House is fought. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Postal arrangements of Confederate States went into operation; United States post system suspended. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
May 31, 1861 P. G. T. Beauregard ordered to assume command of the Alexandria Line. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Rebel batteries at Acquia Creek, Va., silenced by Union gun-boats after an action lasting two hours. Cavalry skirmish at Fairfax Court House, Wa. A Chronological History of the Civil War in [...]
May 30, 1861 At a convention in Knoxville, a group of Unionists denounce Tennessee’s secessionist actions. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Grafton and Williamsport, Va., evacuated by the rebels. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
May 29, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 President Davis reached Richmond, the new seat of the Confederate Government. Federals advanced toward Harper’s Ferry; rebels retired toward Martinsburg, Va. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
May 28, 1861 Robert Anderson assumes command of the Department of Kentucky. Confederates seize the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Point of Rocks to Cumberland A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Gen. Butler advanced his forces to Newport News. Savannah blockaded. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard [...]
May 27, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 About 100 slaves escaped from their masters and took refuge in Fortress Monroe. General Butler declared them contraband of war and legitimate prizes. Mobile blockaded. Brigadier-General McDowell took command at Washington. Border States Convention assembled at Frankfort, Ky. Kentucky and Missouri only were [...]
May 26, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 New Orleans blockaded by the sloop of war “Brooklyn.” Alexandria placed under martial law. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
May 25, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Bridges on the Alexandria and Loudon Railroad destroyed by Union troops. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
May 24, 1861 Col. Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth of the 11th New York Fire Zouaves is killed in the Marshall House Inn in Alexandria, Virginia, after he and his men removed a Confederate flag. He is generally regarded as the first officer killed while on duty in the American Civil War. Sterling Price refuses to disband [...]
May 23, 1861 Virginia ratifies the Secessionist Convention referendum by a vote of 132,201 to 37,451 John Floyd commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army Thomas Jackson strikes the B&O Railroad, capturing 56 locomotives
May 22, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Ship Island fortifications destroyed to keep them from the rebels. Flag-raising at the Post-office, Washington. Speeches of the President and cabinet officers. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
May 21, 1861 Missouri declares its neutrality in the Civil War Confederate Congress votes to move its capital from Montgomery to Richmond. Sterling Price signs an agreement with William Harney, essentially handing Missouri over to federal forces. Confederate Congress votes to move its capital from Montgomery to Richmond. A Chronological History of the Civil War [...]
May 20, 1861 The state of Kentucky proclaims its neutrality, which will last until September 3 when Confederate forces enter the state. Delegates to the North Carolina Secession Convention passes Ordinance of Secession A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 North Carolina State Convention met at Raleigh and passed unanimously an ordinance of [...]
May 19, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Rebels at Harper’s Ferry reinforced. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
May 18, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Rebel batteries at Sewell’s Point, Va., dislodged. This was the first offensive operation of the Government against the rebels. Arkansas admitted as a State of the Confederate States of America. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, [...]