The first shot in the Civil War was fired upon the steamer “Star of the
West” off Charleston Harbor, S. C., on Jan. 9, 1861. However, this was
more than three months before the war officially started.
The Civil War started with the bombardment of Fort Sumter, S. C., at
4:30 A. M., April 12, 1861.
The first Southern blood was shed on the streets of Baltimore, Md., on
April 19, 1861.
The First Confederate Congress was formed in Montgomery, Ala., on Feb.
4, 1861.
Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was elected President of the
Confederacy on Feb. 9, 1861. Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia was
elected Vice-President. The inauguration was on Feb. 18, 1861.
President Lincoln freed the slaves on Sept. 22, 1862.
The Gatling gun was patented Nov. 4, 1862.
The First Colored Regiment was formed Jan. 25, 1863.
South Carolina was the first state to secede; North Carolina was the
last. South Carolina seceded from the Union on Dec. 20, 1860. The other
states followed in this order: Florida on Jan. 7, 1861; Mississippi on
Jan. 9, 1861; Alabama on Jan. 11, 1861; Georgia on Jan. 19, 1861;
Louisiana on Jan. 26, 1861; Texas on Feb. 1, 1861; Virginia on April 17,
1861; Tennessee on May 6, 1861; Arkansas on May 18, 1861, and North
Carolina on May 21, 1861.
There were more battles fought in Virginia than in any other state. It
is reported that more than 400 battles and actions were fought there.
The second largest number was fought in Tennessee.
The most eventful “holiday” in the Civil War was July 4, 1863. On this
particular date the Tullahoma Campaign ended; the Union army was
victorious at Gettysburg and Vicksburg fell.
Pickett’s famous charge at Gettysburg was the most colorful event of the
Civil War.
Ohio furnished almost one-third of the Union troops at the battles of
Chickamauga and Chattanooga.
General Robert E. Lee was once offered the command of all the Union
forces in the United States, but he declined the offer.
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, one of the South’s ablest commanders,
resigned the Colonelcy of the 2nd U. S. Cavalry to enter the service of
the Confederacy. Gen. Johnston was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.
There were approximately 87,000 men who hired their fighting done. This
number, whom were drafted, paid commutation and were exempted from
service.
There were almost an even 100,000 of the U. S. Colored Troops whom were
recruited from the Confederate States.
About 250 of the Regular U. S. Volunteers were ex-Confederate soldiers.
All of the Confederate States had troops in the Union Army. The data
below will furnish proof of this statement:
Alabama—1 Regiment Heavy Artillery; 2 Regiments of Cavalry; 1 Co. of
Cavalry; 2 Regiments of Infantry.
Arkansas—2 Batteries of Light Artillery; 4 Regiments of Cavalry; 1 Co.
of Cavalry; 1 Infantry Battalion; 1 Co. of Infantry; 9 Regiments
of Infantry.
Florida—1 Battery of Light Artillery; 3 Regiments of Cavalry; 1 Co. of
Infantry.
Georgia—1 Infantry Battalion.
Louisiana—1 Regiment of Heavy Artillery; 1 Battery of Light Artillery; 4
Regiments of Light Artillery; 1 Co. of Cavalry; 3 Regiments of
Cavalry; 18 Regiments of Infantry.
Mississippi—2 Regiments of Heavy Artillery; 2 Regiments of Cavalry; 2
Cos. of Cavalry; 9 Regiments of Infantry.
North Carolina—1 Regiment of Heavy Artillery; 7 Regiments of Infantry.
South Carolina—5 Regiments of Infantry (all Colored).
Texas—1 Battalion of Cavalry; 2 Regiments of Cavalry; 3 Cos. of
Infantry.
Virginia—1 Battalion of Cavalry; 1 Regiment of Infantry; 1 Co. of
Infantry.
There were four states which were considered “divided” states, namely:
Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Maryland. Tennessee furnished more
Confederate troops than Union troops. The others furnished more Union
troops than Confederates.
The highest regimental number of the Civil War was furnished by the
State of Pennsylvania, being the 215th. Ohio was second with 197: New
York third with 193, while Illinois and Indiana tied for fourth place
with 156 each.
West Point Academy was founded on March 16, 1802.
The U. S. Naval Academy opened October 10, 1845.
The Mexican War started on March 28, 1846.
The most daring and useless episode of the Civil War was performed by
Andrews and his raiders when they stole the engine “General.” This feat,
if it had been carried out in detail, would only have been temporary.
The tearing up of railroad bridges and the destruction of communication
lines was almost daily routine at one place or another. This historic
engine is now on display at the Union railroad station, Ninth and Broad
Streets, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Chattanooga National Cemetery is the oldest National Cemetery in the
United States. There are soldiers buried in this cemetery as a result of
every war the United States has ever participated in, beginning with the
Revolutionary War.
There are no Confederate soldiers buried in any National Cemetery. They
are buried in Confederate cemeteries or elsewhere. Two such cemeteries
are located in, and near Chattanooga. One is located on E. Third Street,
adjoining the Jewish Cemetery. The other is located on U. S. Highways
No. 11 and 64 at Silverdale, about 10 miles northeast of Chattanooga.
Practically all of the Union and Confederate soldiers who were killed at
Chickamauga were buried on that battlefield for a period of about three
months. The troops were buried in separate trenches. Then they were
removed. The Union soldiers were re-buried in the National Cemetery in
Chattanooga. The Confederates were taken to Marietta, Georgia, where
they were reburied in the Confederate Cemetery.
[Illustration: General Wilder’s Monument, Chickamauga Battlefield]
[Illustration: View of Lover’s Leap, Rock City Gardens, atop Lookout
Mountain]
The last battle of the Civil War was fought near Palo Alto, Texas, on
May 13, 1865, more than a month after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.
Col. Barrett commanded the Union troops; Gen. Slaughter the Confederate.
This battle resulted in a Confederate victory.