Jefferson Davis signs a bill into law creating the first national military draft in American history.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Jefferson Davis signs a bill into law creating the first national military draft in American history.
Jefferson Davis submits a special message to the Confederate Congress urging members to approve military conscription.
Joseph E. Johnston issues orders to withdraw his Confederate army from its Manassas Junction-Centreville line southward to the Rappahannock River, almost halfway to the Confederate capital at Richmond.
Joseph E. Johnston concludes that his Confederate army must abandon its positions along the Centreville-Manassas line in northern Virginia.
Jefferson Davis takes the oath of office to become the first official president of the Confederate States of America.
Jefferson Davis arranges to send a troublesome general away from the Confederate seat of government at Richmond.