April 1861

Friday 12:

American Civil War: The war begins with Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina

Saturday 13:

American Civil War: Fort Sumter surrenders

Sunday 14:

At the start of the American Civil War, the battle of Fort Sumter ended after the Confederates under Beuaregard bombarded the fort with 4,000 shells. The first causualty of the Civil War died when his cannon backfired.

Wednesday 17:

American Civil War: Virginia secedes from the Union.

Friday 19:

American Civil War: A pro-Secession mob in Baltimore, Maryland, attacks United States Army troops marching through the city.

Saturday 20:

American Civil War: Robert E. Lee resigns his commission in the United States Army in order to command the forces of the state of Virginia.

Saturday 27:

President Abraham Lincoln suspends the writ of habeas corpus.

Monday 29:

American Civil War: Maryland's House of Delegates votes not to secede from the Union