War by Year · 1861–1865
Follow the American Civil War year by year. Each year can link into curated collections of photographs, maps, documents, and themed exhibits inside the Civil War Vault.
Year Overview
1861 · Secession & Opening Shots
The Union fractures as Southern states secede and the first shots are fired. From Fort Sumter to First Bull Run, 1861 sets the stage for a long and brutal conflict.
- Secession ordinances, political speeches, and early war proclamations
- Illustrations and photographs of mobilization and early battles
- Ideal for “war begins” lecture modules and classroom units
