1861

	5	Mob destroys the printing office of Die Union in Galveston.
	10	Florida secedes from the Union.
	11	Alabama secedes from the Union.
	19	Confederate territory of Arizona formed.
	21	Texas legislature convenes in Austin to debate secession.
	26	Louisiana secedes from the Union.
	28	Texas secedes from the Union.

	1	Ordinance of Secession adopted by Secession Convention.
	2	Committee on Public Safety directed to seize all federal property in Texas
	9	Governor Sam Houston orders elections held to ratify the Secession Ordinance.  Jefferson Davis elected provisional President of the Confederate States of America.
	16	Robert E Lee arrives in San Antonio from Fort Mason en route to Washington. Rebel troops hold his baggage until he swears allegiance to the Confederacy. Lee never recovers the luggage.
	18	General David E. Twiggs surrenders US military posts in Texas to the Texas Confederates.
	20	Texans vote to ratify the Secession Ordinance.
	22	US Navy attacks Aransas Pass.

	2 5 16	Texas formally secedes from the United States. Secession convention passes ordinance uniting Texas with the CSA. Governor Sam Houston refuses to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States of America.
	18	Secession Convention replaces Sam Houston as governor with Lt. Governor Edward Clark.
	26	Secession Convention ratifies the constitution of the Confederate States of American, than adjourns.

	12	Confederate forces bombard Fort Sumter, SC.
	13	Fort Sumter surrenders to Confederate forces.
	17	Star of the West captured off the coast near Indianola by Texas volunteers under the command of Colonel Earl Van Dorn, CSA. Virginia secedes from the Union.
	19	US begins blockade of Texas ports.
	21	Colonel Earl Van Dorn assumes military command of Texas.

	22	Juan Cortina drove back to Mexico in the Battle of Carrizo.
	6	Arkansas and Tennessee secede from the Union.
	20	North Carolina secedes from the Union. Kentucky declares neutrality.

	2	USS Carolina blockades Galveston.
	8	Brigadier General H.H. Sibly ordered to expel US forces from New Mexico.
	21	Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run), VA.
	27	Texas Confederate troops capture Fort Fillmore near Mesilla, NM.

10

Battle of Wilson's Creek (Oak Hill).

9

Terry's Rangers mustered into service at Houston.

	1	Great Hanging at Gainesville.
	21	Battle of Ball's Bluff (Leesburg) VA.
	24	Western Union completes first trans-continental telegraph line.

28

Missouri admitted to the Confederacy despite never seceding from the Union.