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"29-John B. Floyd, U. S. Sec. of War, resigns. Joseph Holt, of Ky.,

appointed.

"31-South Carolina sends Commissioners to Slave States to arrange the organization of a Southern Confederacy.

1861.

Jan. 2-Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, takes possession of Ft. Macon. Georgia troops seize Fts. Pulaski and Jackson, and U. S. Arsenal, at Savannah.

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4-Gov. Moore, of Ala., seizes Ft. Morgan, and U. S. Arsenal at Mobile.

Fast Day by proclamation of President.

7-State Conventions of Alabama and Mississippi, and State Legisla tures of Virginia and Tennessee assemble.

8-Jacob Thompson, U. S. Sec. of Interior, resigns. Fts. Johnson and Caswell, North Carolina, seized by State authorities.

9-U. S. steamer, Star of the West, fired on in Charleston Harbor and driven away.

Mississippi Convention adopt Secession Ordinance. Vote 84 to 15. "10-Florida Convention secedes by vote of 62 to 7. Florida authorities seize Ft. McRae.

"11-Alabama secedes by vote in Convention of 61 to 39. P. F. Thomas, U. S. Sec. of Treasury, resigns. John A. Dix appointed. The Governor of Mississippi siezes Forts Philip and Jackson, on the Mississippi river; Forts Pike and Macomb, on Lake Pontchartrain; and U. S. Arsenal at Baton Rouge.

13-Florida takes possession of Pensacola Navy Yard and Ft. Barrancas. Lieut. Slemmer, in command of Ft. Pickens, ordered by Com. Armstrong to deliver the Fort to Florida, refuses, and preserves that important post to the government of the Union. 16-Legislature of Arkansas calls a Convention. Col. Hayne, of South Carolina, demands of the President the surrender of Ft. Sumter, and is refused. Missouri Legislature order a convention to consider secession.

66 18-The Legislature of Virginia appropriate $1,000,000 for the defense of the State.

19-Georgia adopts Secession Ordinance by vote of 208 to 89.

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Jefferson Davis resigns his seat in the U. S. Senate.

"23-Georgia members of Congress resign.

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29-Kansas, the thirty-fourth State, admitted into the Union.

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30-North Carolina Legislature submits the question of calling a Con

vention to the people.

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Revenue cutters Cass, at Mobile, and McClelland, at New Orleans, surrendered to Southern authorities.

Feb. 1-Texas Convention passes Secession Ordinance, to be submitted to the people. Vote, 166 to 7. Louisiana government seize the U. S. Mint and Custom House, at New Orleans.

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4-Peace Convention of Delegates from eighteen States, assembles at Washington; ex-President Tyler presides.

Delegates from seceded States meet at Montgomery, Ala., to organize a Confederate Government.

John Slidell and Judah P. Benjamin, U. S. Senators from Louisiana, resign their seats.

9-Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stevens elected provisional President and Vice-President of Confederate States, for one year. 13-Electoral vote counted. Abraham Lincoln received 180 votes; S. A. Douglas, 12; J. C. Breckenridge, 72; John Bell, 39. Majority required to elect, 157.

18-Ft. Kearney, Kansas, seized by Southern forces.

23-Gen. Twiggs, U. S. commander in Texas, delivered his army prisoners of war, and U. S. property valued at $1,200,000 to Confederate authorities.

28-Territorial Government organized in Colorado.

Mar. 1-Gen. Twiggs expelled from the army. Peace Congress adjourned. 2-Territorial government organized in Dacotah and Nevada.

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Revenue cutter Dodge surrendered to the South, at Galveston,
Texas.

4-Abraham Lincoln inaugurated 14th regular President of the
United States.

The people of Texas having voted for the Secession Ordinance by 40,000 majority, the Convention declared the State out of the Union5-Gen. Beauregard takes command of Southern forces, at Charleston. 6-Ft. Brown, on the Rio Grande, surrenders to Confederate troops.

Federal troops evacuated the fort and sailed for Key West, Florida
Confederate Senate confirm nominations of President Davis to his
Cabinet, viz.: R. Toombs, of Geo., Sec. of State; C. S. Memminger,
of South Carolina, Sec. of Treasury; L. P. Walker, of Ala., Sec. of
War; S. R. Mallory, of Fla., Sec. of Navy; J. H. Reagan, of Texas,
Postmaster Gen.; J. P. Benjamin, of La., Attorney General.

11-The Constitution of Confederate States adopted in convention at
Montgomery, Ala.; afterwards ratified by the several States.
28-Vote of Louisiana on secession-20,448 for, 17,926 against-made
public.

30-Mississippi Convention ratifies the Confederate Constitution, by
78 to 70.

Apr. 3-South Carolina Convention ratifies Confederate Constitution, by

114 to 6.

Apr. 4-Virginia Convention refuse to present a Secession Ordinance to the people, by a vote of 89 to 45.

7-Intercourse between Ft. Sumter and Charleston stopped by order of Gen. Beauregard.

CHAPTER XXIV.

FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR.

Each side hesitated to strike the first blow; but the South, being best prepared, and to end a suspense that threatened to be hurtful to their cause, opened the conflict by the bombardment of Ft. Sumter. Each now hastened preparations with vigor. Yet so long had been the intimate, friendly relations, that neither could believe in a long, deadly struggle. More than three months passed, during which frequent skirmishes occurred; but the leaders avoided bringing on a general battle. The Southern forces advanced toward Washington, but stopped short of an attack, sending out small bodies to make trial efforts, and get possession of important points.

The battle of Bull Run was the first great, serious combat. The brilliant bravery of Southern troops would have been overcome but for an opportune reinforcement at the decisive moment. The leaders did not feel it safe to pursue the vanquished Federals to Washington. There was a large reserve force there. Thus, if they won a battle they lost the object soughtthe capture of the national Capital—and the Union forces, though defeated, gained the most important point-the protection of Washington.

Both sides now recognized the magnitude of the undertaking; the indomitable resolution of their opponents; and the need of thoroughly disciplining their troops, of organizing all branches of the military and naval service, and gathering stores, and distributing forces in accordance with the plan proposed by each.

This period continued until Feb., 1862. The U. S. Navy was increased from 42 vessels at the beginning of the war to about 300 at the close of this preparatory period. These blockaded the South and served for transport and attack. Two series of operations were planned by the U. S. government for the land forces: one in the Mississippi Valley and one in Virginia. In the meantime the Confederate leaders saw that it was impossible to invade the North as they had proposed without long preparation and large armies. They organized with speed but were thrown on the defensive. 1861.

Apr. 7-Steamer Atlantic, with troops and supplies for Ft. Sumter, sailed from New York.

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8-The Federal Government notified South Carolina that provisions would be sent to Maj. Anderson, by force, if necessary.

U. S. State Department refused to recognize the Commissioners from the Confederate States.

* 11-Troops are gathered in Washington, and oath of allegiance administered. Confederate Commissioners leave Washington.

Gen. Beauregard demands the surrender of Ft. Sumter. Maj.
Anderson refuses.

BOMBARDMENT OF FT. SUMTER.

Batteries

12-This was the real commencement of the Civil War.
were constructed on Morris and Sullivan islands, and Cumming's
Point. The Confederate forces employ Ft. Moultrie, and a floating
battery, in addition, against Ft. Sumter.

The South Carolina Legislature appropriate $500,000 to arm the
State.

Ft. Pickens is reinforced by the U. S. government.

"14-Fort Sumter was reduced to a mass of ruins, its fire silenced, and Maj. Anderson capitulated with the honors of war, and evacuated the fort, sailing for New York.

Gov. Yates, of Illinois, called an extra session of Legislature to meet April 22.

"15-The President issues a proclamation commanding all in arms against the government to disperse in 20 days; calling also for 75,000 volunteers to defend Washington; and the New York Leg. islature authorizes the raising of $3,000,000 for their equipment and support.

The President calls an extra session of Congress, for July 4. 16-The governors of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri refuse to furnish troops, under the President's proclamation. The Confederate government calls for 32,000 men.

17-The Virginia Convention, in secret session, adopt a Secession Ordinance, to be submitted to the people in May. The vote was 60 to 53.

Virginia forces sent to seize U. S. Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and
Gosport Navy Yard, at Portsmouth.

All the military power of the State of Virginia placed under the
control of President Davis.

Jefferson Davis issues a proclamation offering Letters of Marque and Reprisal to privateers against Federal commerce.

18-U. S. Arsenal at Harper's Ferry destroyed by Federal troops, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy.

Col. Coke, with 400 of 25th Penn. regiment, arrives in Washington for its defense.

"19-U. S. steamer Star of the West seized at Indianola, Texas.

Massachusetts troops on the way to Washington, attacked by a mob in Baltimore. Troops fired on the mob. Blood shed on both sides.

President issues a proclamation declaring the coast from North
Carolina to Texas in a state of blockade.

Military department of Washington covering Maryland, Delaware,
and Pennsylvania, put under command of Gen. Patterson.

City Council of Philadelphia appropriate $1,000,000 to equip volunteers, and support their families.

20-Governor of North Carolina seizes U. S. Branch Mint, at Charlotte. Bridges and railroads in Maryland destroyed by Secessionists, to prevent passage of troops to Washington.

U. S. Navy Yard, at Gosport, and property worth $25,000,000, destroyed by the Federals in charge, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. Eight vessels of war were destroyed, and one, the Cumberland, was towed out.

Massachusetts troops arrive at Fortress Monroe.

Gov. Curtin calls special meeting of Penn. Legislature, for
April 30th.

"21-Federal government takes possession of Philadelphia and Baltimore railroad.

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Senator Andrew Johnson mobbed at Lynchburg, Va. 22-U. S. Arsenals in North Carolina and Arkansas seized.

24-Fort Smith Arkansas, seized. Cairo, Ill., occupied by Union

troops.

Maj. Sibley surrenders 450 U. S. troops to Col. Van Dorn, in Texas. 26-Gov. Brown, of Geo., forbids payment of debts to Northern people. 27-A steamer at Cairo, loaded with military stores for the South, seized.

Blockade extended to ports of Virginia and North Carolina.

"6 29-The Maryland House of Delegates votes against secession, 63 to 13. Governors Harris of Tennessee and Moore of Louisiana seize government property.

May 1-The Legislature of N. C. and Tenn. prepare for formal secession. 3-President Lincoln calls for 82,714 additional troops.

Fourteen companies of Kentucky troops offer themselves to the government, though the Governor had refused a levy.

แ 4-Gen. McClellan takes command of the department of the Ohio. 6-Virginia admitted into the Confederacy. Tennessee and Arkansas pass Ordinances of Secession.

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10-Gen. R. E. Lee takes command of Southern troops in Virginia. 13-Convention called at Wheeling to organize a new State.

14-Vessels with stores and property for the South seized at Baltimore. 15-Massachsetts offers U. S. Government $7,000,000 to carry on the war. 16-Gen. Scott orders the fortification of Arlington Heights. 17-Confederates commence fortifying Harpers Ferry.

18-Gen. Butler takes command of Department of Virginia.

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