Existing comment:
1861:
April 12-13: Confederates Bombard Fort Sumter, South Carolina:
Federal control of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor became a critical point of contention between the North and the South. The Confederates demanded the fort's surrender; President Lincoln vowed not to give up Federal property in the South. Despite negotiations, the Confederates opened fire on the fort at 4:30am on April 12. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. The Civil War had begun.
April 15: Lincoln Calls for 75,000 Militia |