President Davis prepares for war (100,000 men to be raised)

.

March, 1861

Abm. Lincoln, inaugurated president at Washington, says, "the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy" . 4 March, Southern commissioners not received by the president at Washington 12 March, Gen. Winfield Scott, in a letter to president Lincoln, sets before him four courses: either, I., to surrender to slavery half the territory acquired or to be acquired; II., to blockade all revolted ports; III., to say to seceding states, "Wayward sisters, go in peace!" or IV., to conquer the south, which would require 300,000 men and afterwards a resident army [the letter became public Oct. 1862] March, Great excitement at the operation of the new Morill tariff, which begins 1 April, The war begins: Major Anderson refuses to surrender Fort Sumter, Charleston, when summoned, 11 April; it is taken by the secessionists, after a bloodless conflict 13 April, President Lincoln summons the congress to meet on 4 July; issues a proclamation, calling on the states to furnish a contingent of 75,000 men, &c. 15 April, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and other states zealously respond, with vigorous preparations for war; Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri, decidedly refuse, asserting the proposed coercion to be wicked, illegal, and unconstitutional April, The mob in Baltimore, Maryland, attack some Massachusetts regiments on their way to Washington; several persons killed in the conflict, 19 April, President Davis issues letters of marque, 17 April; president Lincoln proclaims the blockade of the ports of seceding states 19 April, U.S. Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, fired by command, and 15,000 stand of arms destroyed, 18 April; 9 ships of war and naval stores in the navy yard, Norfolk, Va., burnt to prevent them falling into the hands of the southern confederates, who occupy the place 21 April, Virginia (except West Virginia) secedes by ordinance (the 8th state) 25 April, Lincoln calls for 42,034 volunteers for three years, 3 May, and informs foreign powers of his intention to maintain the union by war 4 May, The confederates under Beauregard and Johnston, in Virginia, threaten Washington, defended by the federals under generals Winfield Scott and George McClellan May, The British queen commands her subjects to be neutral in the ensuing war 13 May, The federals enter Virginia; Beauregard calls on the Virginians to rise and expel them I June, Formal secession of Arkansas, 6 May; North Carolina, 20 May; Tennessee (9th, roth, and 11th), 8 June, Several British vessels seized while endeavouring to break the blockade; the southern privateer Savannah captured June, Neutrality announced by the French emperor, 10 June, Fast-day in confederate states 13 June. Missouri.-Gen. Lyon raises a federal army, and defeats the state troops, 17 June; the federals successful at Carthage, 5 July: Fremont takes command in West Missouri, 26 July; federals victorious at Athens, 5 Aug.; at Wilson's Creek (gen. Lyon killed), 10 Aug.; Fremont proclaims martial law, and freedom to slaves or rebels, 31 Aug.; Lexington surrenders to confederates, 20 Sept. Fremont blamed, retires; succeeded by Hunter 2 Νον. Virginia-Federals defeated at Big Bethell, 10 June; occupy Harper's Ferry, evacuated by the confederates, 16 June; col. Pegrim and 600 confederates surrender at Beverley 13 July, [Very many skirmishes, with various results.] McClellan defeats confederates at Rich Mountain, 11 July; Paterson permits the junction of the confederates under Johnston and Beauregard near Manassas, 15 July; who are repulsed at Blackburn's Ford, near Centreville 18 July, Battle of Bull Run (which see) or Manassas, Vir

20 Aug. Federal gen. Butler takes Fort Hatteras, N. Carolina (700 prisoners and 1000 stand of arms), 29 Aug. Fast-day in federal states 26 Sept., Garibaldi declines command in the federal army, Sept. Battle of Ball's Bluff; federals defeated and gen. Baker killed, near Leesburg, Virginia; hundreds drowned 21 Oct. The federals and confederates enter Kentucky; the governor protests; many skirmishes,

.

Sept.-Dec. Resignation of lieut.-gen. Scott, 31 Oct.; George McClellan made commander-in-chief of the federal army I Nov. The federal general Sherman takes Port Royal forts, S. Carolina 7, 8 Nov. Capt. Wilkes, of federal war steamer San Jacinto, boards the Royal British mail packet Trent, and carries off Messrs. Mason and Slidell, confederate commissioners, and their secretaries, 8 Nov., and conveys them to Boston 19 Nov. Great rejoicings in the northern states at the capture of Mason and Slidell Nov. McClellan reviews 70,000 men. 20 Nov. Capt. Pegram, of confederate steamer Nashville, burns the federal ship Harvey Birch, 19 Nov., and brings the crew on to Southampton . 21 Nov. A secession ordinance passed by a party in Missouri, 2 Nov.; the same in Kentucky 30 Nov. Dissensions increase between the republicans (abolitionists) and the democrats in New York, &c.

Jefferson Davis elected president of confederate states for six years

Νον. 99

30 Nov. President Lincoln states that the federal armies comprise 660,971 men

2 Dec.

Meeting of congress, which votes thanks to capt. Wilkes, 2 Dec.; the foreign envoys at Washington protest against his act. 3 Dec. The federals commence sinking hulks filled with stones to block up Charleston harbour (S. Carolina)[much indignation in England]. 21 Dec. Banks at New York, &c., suspend cash payments, 30 Dec.

A firm despatch from the British government arrives, 18 Dec. 1861; Mason, &c., surrendered, sail for Europe I Jan. 1862 Phelps' fruitless expedition to Ship Island, Mississippi Sound 3 Dec. 1861-Jan. Confederate general Zollicoffer defeated by Thomas and slain at Mill Springs or Somerset, Kentucky, 19 Jan. Tennessee.The federals (Grant) take Fort Henry, 6 Feb.; Fort Donnelson, with 15,000 prisoners, 16 Feb.; and Nashville 23 Feb. Confederates defeated at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, 6, 7, 8 March, Confederate iron-plated ship Merrimac destroys federal vessels Cumberland and Congress in Hampton roads, 8 March; is repulsed by federal ironclad floating battery Monitor 9 March, McClellan and his army (100,000) cross the Potomac and find the confederate camp at Bull Run evacuated 10 March, McClellan resigns general command, and assumes that of the army of the Potomac only; Fremont that of the Mountain department; and Halleck that of the Mississippi 11 March, Burnside's expedition sails, 11 Jan.; takes Roanoke, N. Carolina, 7, 8 Feb.; Newbern 14 March, Capt. Wilson (British) boldly rescues his vessel,

UNITED STATES.

Address to the women of America on slavery, adopted by the duchess of Sutherland and other ladies (signed afterwards by 576,000 Englishwomen)

Gen. Franklin Pierce, 14th president

Affair of Koszta at Smyrna (see Koszta)
Crystal palace opens at New York
Duel between M. Soulé (American
Madrid) and M. Turgot

Great fire at New York-Great Republic
stroyed

Astor Library, New York, opened

.

4

William Walker proclaims the republic of Sonora divided into two states-Sonora and Lower California

18 Jan. American steamer Black Warrior seized at Cuba, 28 Feb. April, The Spanish government remitted the fine, but considered the seizure legal Commercial treaty concluded between Japan and United States by commodore Perry (sent there 23 March, for the purpose). Reciprocity treaty between Great Britain and United States (respecting Newfoundland fishery, 7 June, international trade, &c.) concluded Captain Hollins in American sloop Cyane, bombards 13 July, San Juan de Nicaragua

Negotiation for the annexation of the Sandwich Islands.

Oct.

John C. Fremont nominated the "Republican" candidate for the presidency

Battle in Kansas; the slavers (under capt. Reid)

defeat Brown and the abolitionists

17 Jult,

30 Aug.

4 Nov.

Frank12 Dec.

James Buchanan, elected 15th president The Resolute presented to queen Victoria (see lin)

lish at the Chinese engagement on the river Peiho, saying, "Blood is thicker than water," 25 June, 1859 Gen. Ward, the United States envoy, goes to Pekin, July, but does not see the emperor. Gen. Harney sends troops to San Juan Island, near Ito protect the American Vancouver's Island, settlers;" moderation of the British, who have a naval force at hand; governor Douglas also sends 27 July, troops 16 Oct.

Insurrection at Harper's Ferry
[John Brown, called captain Brown and old Brown,
was a prominent leader in the violent conflicts in
Kansas, during the agitation respecting the ques-
He was a
tion of its becoming a slave state.
monomaniac on the slavery question, and con-
tended that all means for annihilating slavery were
justifiable. He gathered together a band of despe-
rate characters, who so much annoyed Missouri
and other slave states, that a reward was offered
for his head. He had arranged for the successful
issue of the insurrection above mentioned, so far
as to devise a provisional government and a new
constitution. On 16 Oct, he and his band, aided
by a mob, seized the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, a
town on the borders of Virginia and Maryland,
stopped the railway trains, and cut the telegraph
wires; a conflict with the military ensued, when
many of the insurgents were killed. Temporary
panic in southern states.]

Gen. Harney superseded by gen. Scott at San Juan,
who makes conciliatory overtures; accepted by
governor Douglas.

Death of Washington Irving

John Brown captured and tried: executed

The national democratic convention meet at Baltimore; a large number of delegates secede; the remainder nominate Stephen Douglas as presi dent: the seceders nominate John Breckinridge, 18 June, 23 June, The Great Eastern arrives at New York The prince of Wales arrives at Detroit in the United States, 20 Sept.; visits Washington, 3 Oct.; Philadelphia, 9 Oct.; New York, 11 Oct.; Bos20 Oct ton, 17 Oct.; embarks at Portland Abraham Lincoln, the republican candidate, elected 16th president (see Southern Confederacy), 6 Nov. [303 electors are appointed to vote for a president; 152 to be a majority. The numbers were, for A. Lincoln, 180; John C. Breckinridge, 72; John Bell, 39; Stephen A. Douglas, 12.]

Intense excitement at Charleston, South Carolina, and in other southern states.

on

Tranquillity restored in Utah

Dispute respecting right of search, settled

Great rejoicing at the completion of the telegraph (see Electric Telegraph)

"

Vicksburg, Mississippi, fortified. Kansas admitted a state

4 Jan.

12 Jan. 21 Jan Secession (by convention) of Mississippi, 8 Jan; Alabama, Florida, 11 Jan.; Georgia, 19 Jan.; Louisiana, 26 Jan.; Texas (by legislature), 1 Feb.

Jefferson Davis, elected by the six seceding states, 8 Feb.; is inaugurated president of the "southern confederacy," at Montgomery, Alabama, 18 Feb New (Morrill) tariff bill passed (nearly prohibits . 2 March, commerce with England)

Emily St. Pierre, a merchantman, from the federals 21 March, 1862 [She was sailing from Calcutta to New Brunswick, and while attempting to inquire whether a blockade existed, was captured off Charleston bar by a federal ship of war. Her captain, and his cook and steward, were permitted to remain on board on her voyage to Philadelphia. On 21 March, Wilson with his two associates succeeded, by stratagem and courage, in recovering the command of the vessel, overcoming two U.S. officers and 13 sailors, and brought her into Liverpool. The owners of the ship gave him 2000 guineas, and the Liverpool merchants presented him with a magnificent testimonial of their admiration of his gallantry. The British government refused to restore the vessel when claimed by the Americans.]

Confederates defeated at Winchester
23 March,
General Burnside occupies Beaufort and Fort Macon
1 April,
Slavery abolished in district of Columbia, 4 April,
McClellan advances into Virginia, with the view of
taking Richmond; he besieges York town, held
by 30,000 confederates
5 April,
Correspondents of English newspapers excluded
from federal army.
5 April,
Great battles of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing, near
Corinth, Tennessee; confederates victorious, but
lose their able gen. Albert Johnstone; they retire
6, 7 April,
Treaty between Great Britain and the United
States for the suppression of the slave trade,
7 April,
Federals take Fort Pulaska on the Savannah, 11
April; and New Orleans
25-28 April,
Yorktown evacuated by confederates
3 May,
The Seward-Lyous treaty between Great Britain
and the United States, for suppression of the
slave trade, signed 7 April; ratified 20 May,
Confederates repulsed at Williamsburg, 5 May; their
naval depôt at Norfolk, Virginia, surrenders, 10
May; they burn the Merrimac
11 May,
Commodore Farragut with a flotilla ascends the
Mississippi.
May,
Little Rock, Arkansas, taken by federals. May,
Stonewall Jackson defeats Banks at Winchester,
18 May,
McClellan takes Hanover court-house
27 May,
Skirmishes in Virginia; success varying May,
Severe battles of Fair Oaks, before Richmond
(indecisive)
31 May, 1 June,
Beauregard and the confederates retreat from
Corinth, Tennessee, 30 May; pursued by Halleck
and the federals

Memphis, on the Mississippi, taken
Federals defeated near Charleston

"

June,

6 June, 16 June,

Federal forces under Fremont, Banks, and McDowell, placed under Pope; Fremont resigns, 27 June, Federals suffer through several severe engagements in Virginia 25-30 June, General Butler excites great indignation by his military rigour at New Orleans May and June, United States debt estimated at 100,000,000l. June, Seven days' conflict on the Chickahominy before Richmond; the confederate gen. Lee compels McClellan to abandon the siege and retreat 17 miles, taking up a position at Harrison's Landing, on James's river 25 June-1 July, The tariff still further raised. July, Many conflicts in Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee, through confederate guerilla parties June and July, Lincoln visits and encourages the army of McClellan, and calls for 300,000 volunteers July, Lincoln's assent to a bill confiscating the property and emancipating the slaves of all rebels in arms after 60 days 17 July, Halleck supersedes McClellan as commander-in-chief 26 July,

Slow volunteering; many emigrations to Canada and Europe; habeas corpus suspended; the president ordains a draft if the volunteers are not ready by 15 Aug.

Public debt of United States estimated at 1,222,000,000 dollars

Pope takes command in Virginia.

July,

I July,

14 July,

Pope's troops ravage Virginia; Banks, his subordinate, defeated at Cedar Mountain by gen. Thus, "Stonewall" Jackson 9 Ang. [According to some accounts he obtained the naine by promising Beauregard, at the battle of Bull Run, that his brigade should stand like a “stone wall;" others say that Beauregard gave the name himself.]

McClellan retreats from Harrison's Landing (said to have lost 70,000 men, killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters) 16 Aug. The federals surprised, and Pope loses his baggage, 25 Aug Jackson turns the flank of Pope's army, and attacks him at Groveton, 29 Aug.; and when reinforced by Lee, defeats him and McDowell at Bull Run, 30 Aug.; Pope retreats to Centreville 1 Sept. The remains of Pope's army flee behind the lines of Washington, 2 Sept.; he is removed to the north-west to act against the Indian insurrection 3 Sept. McDowell superseded; charged with treachery, he claims a trial Sept. McClellan appointed commander-in-chief, saves Washington, and marches against the confederates under Lee, who have crossed the Potomac and entered Maryland 5. 6 Sept. Severe conflicts at South Mountain Gap (or Middletown), 14-16 Sept.; confederates, after a great fight near Antietam Creek and Sharpsburg road, retreat 17 Sept Harper's Ferry surrendered to Jackson, 15 Sept.; he crosses Potomac and joins Lee's army 17 Sept. Federal cause declining in the west; they lose Lexington, Aug.; and Munsfordville Thanksgiving-day in southern states, Rosencrans defeats the confederates

Confederates re-enter Virginia laden with stores 22 Sept Lincoln proclaims freedom to the slaves in the confederate states, on 1 Jan. 1863, if the states have not returned to the union 22 Sept. Secret convention of 16 governors of states at Altoona, Pennsylvania, approve Lincoln's policy 24 Sept. Draught of 40,000 men ordered in New York state by 15 Oct. Sept. Lincoln suspends habeas corpus writ, and authorises severe measures against disloyal persons 25-27 Sept. Desperate but indecisive conflicts near Corinth, Tennessee, 3-5 Oct. ; and at Perrysville, Kentucky 8, 9 Oct. Confederate gen. Stuart crosses Upper Potomac, and enters Pennsylvania; enters Chambersburg and other places, carrying off horses, ammunition, &c.; rides round the federal army, and returns to his camp 10, 13 Oct. Gold at 29 premium at New York Oct. Great democratic meeting at New York, condemning the president's policy 12 Oct.

At New Orleans Butler compels all persons who refuse to take the oath of allegiance to send in their names and register their property to the provost marshal 12 Oct. McClellan's head-quarters at Harper's Ferry 17 Oct. Raid of confederate gen. Morgan in Kentucky; he carries off 80 federal waggons of ammunition, &c. 18 Oct. Ten confederate prisoners at Palmyra shot by order of gen. McNeil in consequence of the disappearance of Abraham Allsman 18 Oct. Rosencrans supersedes Buell in the west, 30 Oct. M. Drouyn de Lhuys, on behalf of the French government, proposes joint mediation in the American conflict to Great Britain and Russia, 30 Oct.; declined by Gortschakoff, 8 Nov.: by earl Russell 13 Nov The confederate steamer Alabama, capt. Semmes, captures many U.S. vessels, and excites much alarm at New York Oct-Dec. Elections for next congress; great majority for the

democratic (opposition) candidates in New York and several other states 4 Nov. 1862 McClellan, while advancing towards Richmond, is superseded by gen. Burnside, 5 Nov., who advances towards Richmond 7 Nov. President Davis threatens reprisals if general McNeil is not surrendered (see 18 Oct.) 17 Nov. Burnside summons Fredericksburg to surrender; confederate gen. Lee with about 80,000 men near

22 Nov. Νον.

100,000 federal soldiers on the sick list Great honour shown to McClellan; he is proposed as the next president Nov. The federal government orders release of disaffected persons in prisons 25 Nov. Annual session of U.S. congress; the president recommends compensated emancipation of all slaves in the loyal states before the year 1900 1 Dec. Battle of Fredericksburg (which see); Burnside crosses the Rappahannock, 10 Dec.; bombards Fredericksburg, 11 Dec.; a series of desperate attacks on the confederates; Burnside totally defeated, 13 Dec.; recrosses the river 15 Dec. Engagements in Tennessee with varying results, Dec. Discovery of frauds on the U.S. army financial accounts: public dissatisfaction with the government; secretaries Chase and Seward resign, but resume office

Dec. Battles near Murfreesboro,' or Stone River, between Rosencrans and the federals and Braxton Bragg and the confederates: begin 29 Dec.; severe but indecisive, 31 Dec.; battle continued, 1 Jan.; Bragg defeated, retreats ["There have been about 2000 battles and skirmishes since the commencement of the war.”—American Almanack.]

2 Jan. 1863

26 Jan.

President Lincoln proclaims the freedom of slaves in the rebel states, except in parts held by the U. S. army 2 Jan. Burnside superseded by Joseph Hooker in command of army of the Potomac The French government's offer of mediation, 9 Jan. declined 6 Feb. The George Griswold, a vessel containing provisions and other relief for the distressed cotton workers in Lancashire, arrives 9 Feb. A conscription bill (for men between 18 and 45) passed 25 Feb. The congress authorises the suspension of the habeas corpus act, 3 March; and establishes a National Academy of Sciences at Washington 4 March, Confederate loan for 3,000,000l. well taken up in Europe March, Charleston, South Carolina, attacked by monitors and gunboats; the Keokuk, a monitor, sunk 7 April, Battle of Chancellorsville (which see); the federals under Hooker cross the Rappahannock, 28 April; defeated (gen. Stonewall Jackson is mortally wounded), 2-4 May; Hooker recrosses the Rappahannock 5 May, Stonewall Jackson dies 10 May, Grant's successful campaign in Tennessee; he defeats the confederates under Joseph Johnstone at Jackson, 14 May; and under Pemberton at Champion Hills, 16 May; and invests Vicksburg, Mississippi, which is strongly fortified, 18 May, a dreadful assault on it repelled 22 May, Great peace meeting at Norfolk 5 June, Confederate invasion under Lee; invade Maryland and Pennsylvania, and take various towns 14 June, et seq. The federal gen. Hooker superseded by George H. Meade 27 June, Meade advances against Lee; great battle of Gettysburg, indecisive; but the confederates evacuate Pennsylvania and Maryland 1-3 July, Vicksburg bombarded, 3 July surrendered by Pemberton to Grant and Porter 4 July, Port Hudson, a confederate fortress on the Mississippi, surrenders 8 July, Fierce riots at New York against the conscription; many negroes murdered, and much property destroyed 13-16 July, The Sioux defeated, 7 Aug. gen. Pope reports that Aug.

the Indian war is ended

:

New York rioters tried and convicted, 12 Aug. ; conscription going on peaceably 21 Aug. 1863 Siege of Charleston; defended by Beauregardattacks with varied success, July; Fort Sumter bombarded and destroyed (and so-called Greek fire employed); attacks on the ruins repulsed 21, 22 Aug. Knoxville occupied by Burnside 10 Sept. A Russian squadron warmly received at New York Sept. and Oct. Battles of Chickamauga, Tennessee; Rosencrans defeated by Bragg. 19, 20 Sept. Mason, the confederate commissioner in England, protests against the mode of his reception, and quits 22 Sept. Confederates defeated at Blue-Springs, Tennessee 10 Oct.

19 Oct.

Rosencrans' command of the federal army in Tennessee superseded by Grant, and Thomas, and Sherman The steam rams El Tousson and El Monassir, built by Mr. Laird at Birkenhead, and suspected to be for the confederates, are placed under charge of a government vessel in the Mersey

""

:

Meade captures a part of Lee's army on the N. side of the Rappahannock

Lincoln calls for 300,000 volunteers
17 Oct.
British consuls dismissed from the southern states
Oct. ""

31 Oct.

· 7 Nov. The chief justices Lowrie, Woodward, and Thompson declare that the Conscription act is unconstitutional 12 Nov. Longstreet defeats Burnside, and compels him to retire into Knoxville 14-17 Nov. Sherman and Thomas defeat Bragg at Chattanooga

23, 24 Nov. Longstreets attack on Knoxville, defended by Burnside, fails, and he retreats into Virginia 29 Nov. and Dec. The confederate general Bragg superseded__by Hardee 2 Dec. Lincoln's message to congress warlike; he proffers amnesty to all except heads of governments &c., 4 Dec. : Davis's message, firm, but acknowledging reverses 7 Dec. Gen. Joseph Johnston takes command of the confederate army in Georgia 27 Dec. President Lincoln orders a draft of 500,000 men in 3 years 1 Feb. 1864 Federal expedition into Florida; defeated at

Olustee

Halleck

.

20 Feb. Failure of attack of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren on Richmond 27 Feb.-4 March, Ulysses Grant made commander-in-chief, succeeding 12 March, Confederate raids into the Western states March, Sherman's expedition against Mobile, 2 March; defeated by Kirby-Smith 5 April, James E. Stuart, the celebrated confederate cavalry officer, killed 11 May, Campaign in Virginia; the army of the Potomac crosses the Rapidan; advance of Lee (now supported by Longstreet), 2 May; severe battle in the "Wilderness" (near Chancellorsville), indecisive, 5,6 May; battle of Spottsylvania; the federals remain on the field; much carnage 10-12 May, Sherman (in Georgia) beats the confederates at Resacca, 14 May, and at Dallas 28 May, Fugitive slave act repealed by the house of representatives 13 June, After a succession of attacks on both sides, Grant compels Lee to retire gradually, and by a flank movement marches to the other side of Richmond, and faces Petersburg, 15 June; where, having taken the first intrenchments after desperate assaults, he is repulsed with considerable loss 18 June, The confederate steamer Alabama (capt. Semmes) attacked and sunk by the U.S. corvette Kearsage (capt. Winslow) near Cherbourg, France, 19 June, Mr. Chase, secretary to the U.S. treasury, resigns; succeeded by Mr. Fessenden July, Part of Lee's army invades Maryland, July; defeats Wallace near Monocracy river, 9 July; threatens Baltimore and Washington, and retreats 12, 13 July, Sherman's 3 battles at Atlanta (Georgia), 20, 22 July; victory remains with the federals 28 July,