Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
William Nelson’s Federals win a minor victory in eastern Kentucky but fail in their ultimate goal of destroying the enemy.
Captain Charles Wilkes of the U.S.S. San Jacinto halts the neutral British steamship R.M.S. Trent on the open sea and seizes two Confederate envoys under dubious circumstances.
After struggling through a horrific storm on the Atlantic, the Federal naval squadron attacks and captures a vital Confederate port.
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federal army narrowly escapes destruction in southwestern Missouri but gains important battle experience.
Elections take place throughout the Confederacy to replace the provisional national government with a permanent one.
A massive Federal armada begins arriving off Port Royal, S.C., with plans to bombard the forts guarding the port into submission.