Fort Sumter and the Opening Campaigns (April–July 1861)

1. Confederates demand Fort Sumter’s evacuation

   Apr 10, 1861Labels: Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor

   • NPS Sumter

2. Bombardment of Fort Sumter begins

   Apr 12, 1861Labels: Confederate batteries, Fort Sumter

   • NPS Sumter
   • History of War

3. Fort Sumter surrenders after 34-hour bombardment

   Apr 13, 1861Labels: Major Robert, Fort Sumter

   • NPS Sumter
   • History of War

4. Lincoln calls for 75,000 militia volunteers

   Apr 15, 1861Labels: Abraham Lincoln, U S

   • NPS Sumter

5. Virginia passes its Ordinance of Secession

   Apr 17, 1861Labels: Virginia, Ordinance of

   • EncyclopediaVA

6. Lincoln proclaims a blockade of Southern ports

   Apr 19, 1861Labels: Union blockade, Abraham Lincoln

   • State Dept
   • AP News

7. Baltimore riot disrupts Union troop movement

   Apr 19, 1861Labels: Baltimore, Union troops

   • NPS none

8. Lincoln extends blockade to Virginia and North Carolina

   Apr 27, 1861Labels: Blockade extension, Virginia coast

   • State Dept

9. Winfield Scott outlines the “Anaconda Plan”

   May 1, 1861Labels: Winfield Scott, Anaconda Plan

   • Britannica
   • State Dept

10. Union wins at Philippi in western Virginia

    Jun 3, 1861Labels: Philippi, Western Virginia

    • Philippi Wiki

11. McDowell marches from Washington toward Manassas

    Jul 16, 1861Labels: Irvin McDowell, Manassas campaign

    • NPS Manassas

12. Skirmish at Blackburn’s Ford tests Confederate line

    Jul 18, 1861Labels: Blackburn's Ford, Bull Run

    • Britannica

13. Johnston’s army moves by rail to Manassas

    Jul 19, 1861Labels: Joseph E, Manassas Gap

    • EncyclopediaVA

14. First Battle of Bull Run ends in Union rout

    Jul 21, 1861Labels: First Battle, Manassas

    • Britannica
    • NPS Manassas

15. Congress defines limited war aims (Crittenden–Johnson Resolution)

    Jul 25, 1861Labels: Crittenden Johnson, U S

    • CJ Resolution

16. After Bull Run, both sides prepare for a longer war

    Jul 31, 1861Labels: Post Bull, Union reorganization

    • Britannica