Confederates strengthen their defense line across Kentucky, as William T. Sherman gives his Federal superiors a gloomy report of affairs in the state.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Confederates strengthen their defense line across Kentucky, as William T. Sherman gives his Federal superiors a gloomy report of affairs in the state.
Confederates form a defense line across Kentucky while Federals open recruitment efforts, thereby ensuring that turmoil in the state will continue.
The Unionist Kentucky legislature demands that Confederates leave the state, but Leonidas Polk refuses unless the Federals do the same.
The recruitment of Federal troops in Kentucky threatens the state’s delicate neutrality.
Major Robert Anderson’s Federal garrison formally surrenders and evacuates Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The war has begun.
The bombardment of Fort Sumter ends when Major Robert Anderson agrees to surrender his Federal garrison and evacuate.