April 12th in the American Civil War?

April 12, 2009 in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, Did you know? | Tags: American Civil War, Andrews, Andrews Raiders, Ap, Appomattox Courthouse, Fort Pillow, Fort Sumter, Great Loco, Great Locomotive Chase, James J. Andrews

What happened on this day during the Civil War – April 12th?

April 12th/13th, 1861 – The American Civil War officially begins when rebels in Charleston fire on the U.S. Fort Sumter in the harbor. Fire is returned from the Federals. There are no war-casualties. The fort is surrendered on the 13th.
April 12th, 1862 – Union raiders, led by James Andrews, steal a locomotive in Big Shanty, Georgia, and attempt to take it to Chattanooga. The great Civil War locomotive chase ensues.
April 12th, 1863 – Gen Hooker informs Lincoln he wishes to flank Robert E. Lee and capture Richmond, Virginia.
April 12th, 1864 – Confederate cavalryman, General Nathan Bedford Forrest captures Fort Pillow (TN) on the Mississippi River. Surrendered U.S. Colored Troops are massacred, sending shock waves throughout the country.
April 12th, 1865 – April 12 – Confederate forces make official surrender of arms at Appomattox.

For a complete timeline of the American Civil War, click here.

Click on a day to see that post

About CWG

The Civil War Gazette (CWG) is published by Kraig McNutt, Director of The Center for the Study of the American Civil War. The CWG was first launched on to the World-wide Web in 1995.

The Civil War Gazette allows the first-hand participants - both common soldier and civilian - to tell the story of their experience of the Civil War from their perspective; through letters, diaries, newspapers articles, and other authentic first-hand accounts.

Many items posted to The Civil War Gazette often corresponds to the exact day the item was originally written during the Civil War. Think of The Civil War Gazette as the daily newspaper for all-things Civil War with accounts from those who experienced this great war as participants.

What can one find on the CWG?

Many original letters from soldiers, their loved ones, and excerpts from diaries and journals.

Excerpts and selections from period newspapers and popular print resources.

Poems and literary excerpts, many authored by the soldiers themselves.

Excerpts from original documents and Official Reports.

Authentic pictures. photos, drawings, sketches and artwork of Civil War soldiers, camps, battlefields, buildings, etc.

Book reviews, web site reviews, reviews of software, multimedia, pop culture resources like movies, documentaries and even music.

No comments yet

Comments feed for this article