Compiled by Jim Hachtel, President
Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable
April 21,1861-Professor Thomas Jackson, formerly a US Army Major, brought his Virginia Military Academy (VMI) Cadets to Richmond to train and drill recruits
April 21,1861-Union forces under General Benjamin Butler occupy Annapolis, MD
April 21,1861-Maryland Governor Thomas Hicks demands he removal of 'Northern Troops' from his State
April 22,1861-Robert E. Lee leaves his home, Arlington House to go to Richmond. He never returns
April 22,1861-US Army Lt. Joseph Wheeler resigns his US Army Commission
April 23,1861-Robert E. Lee is placed in charge of all Virginia Military forces as a Major General
April 24,1861-The "USS Niagara", just returned from Japan, is sent to Charleston Harbor as part of the blockade
April 24,1861-Robert E. Lee agrees to a Virginia Militia alliance with the Confederate States
April 26,1861-Confederate Troops seize Ft. Smith, Arkansas
April 27,1861-The port blockade is extended to North Carolina and Virginia ports (see April 19,1861 entry)
April 27,1861-Professor Thomas Jackson is named a Colonial in the Confederate Army & occupies Harper's Ferry, relieving the Virginia Militia
April 29,1861-Maryland's Government votes to remain in the Union
April 29,1861-In Montgomery, Alabama the Confederate Provisional Government meets to organize what they later called The Confederate States of America. This conference lasted until May 21,1861. At this point, eight southern states had seceded.
The Civil War era now enters a relatively slow period with few note-worthy events. The next installment of "This Week in the Civil War" will take up on May 3,1861 and may cover more than one week. Mostly military and government positioning as the first battle isn't until July (Manassas or First Bull Run on July 16,1861)
