March 31, 1861

The General Council of the Choctaw Nation resolves to side with the South. Despite this resolution, various Choctaw individuals and groups joined each side of the conflict.

March 30, 1861

The Mississippi State Convention, at Jackson, ratified the Constitution of the Confederate States, by a vote of 78 to 7.

March 29, 1861

Lincoln orders plans for a relief expedition to sail to South Carolina's Fort Sumter, which was still in the hands of Union forces despite repeated demands by the Confederacy that it be turned over.

March 28, 1861

Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, sent a message to the convention of that state, informing it that six hundred men would be required to garrison the forts in Charleston Harbor.

March 27, 1861

From The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee:
"Southerners Attention! All citizens who are in favor of Secession and a union with the Confederate States are invited to assemble at the corner of Main and Madison streets, today at 2 o'clock p.m. to form a procession, in order to take part in escorting the Mississippi troops to the Memphis and Charleston depot. All true and loyal sons of the South are invited to be present to assist in paying honor to the brave soldiers of our glorious sister state."

March 26, 1861

General Beauregard, commanding rebel forces in Charleston and Major Anderson, commanding Federal forces at Fort Sumter, exchange letters to clear up some of the foggy particulars concerning handling over of the fort.

March 25, 1861

Lincoln conducts final talks with members of his cabinet for upcoming discussions of national policy with foreign powers.

March 24, 1861

William Lloyd Garrison publishes an editorial in New York Herald stating"for the first time in the history of the country, abolitionism pure and simple has found an honorable recognition at the hands of the administration."

March 23, 1861

Georgia's secession continued its work adopting ordinances organizing Congressional districts, providing side-arms to militia leaders, and continued work on re-writing the state constitution.

March 22, 1861

General Braxton Bragg prohibits all vessels from furnishings supplies to war vessels off Pensacola or to Fort Pickens, under penalty of forfeiture to the Confederation.

March 21, 1861

A.H. Stephens, Vice-President of the "Confederate States" of the South, delivers a speech at Savannah, Georgia, intended to be a vindication of the new features in the constitution, which has been adopted for their government.

March 20, 1861

Resolutions defending slavery are passed by a convention of the people of Arkansas.

March 19, 1861

Missouri Convention rejects secession.

March 18, 1861

Lincoln writes memorandum on "some consideration in favor of withdrawing the troops from Fort Sumter."

March 17, 1861

Federal troops from Camp Hudson in Texas leave for service in the Civil War.

March 16, 1861

Georgia ratifies Confederate Constitution.

March 15, 1861

Charleston Courier reports that the fortifications around Charleston Harbor are nearly complete.

March 14, 1861

Lincoln plans with Gustavus Fox to resupply Fort Sumter, though some Cabinet members were mixed or against it.

U.S. Senators debate about what to do with seats left vacant by their Southern colleagues.

March 13, 1861

Jefferson Davis signs a bill authorizing slaves to be used as soldiers for the Confederacy.

March 12, 1861

The London News of to-day publishes a strong protest against recognition of the Southern Confederacy by the British Government.

March 11, 1861

The Clinch Rifles, a militia unit in Augusta, Georgia, report on the presentation of a new Confederate flag.

March 10, 1861

Confederate Congress at Montgomery adopts the Constitution unanimously.

March 9, 1861

Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard writes from Charleston, South Carolina to the Hon. L.P. Walker, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Alabama "reporting the circumstances connected with the accidental shooting of a loaded gun toward Fort Sumter on the 8th instant."

March 8, 1861

The Confederate Commissioners, using California Sen William Gwin as an intermediary, send a memo to Secretary of State Seward, proposing to delay action against Fort Sumter for 20 days in return for a promise that the existing military position would be preserved.

March 7, 1861

General Braxton Bragg is assigned to command Confederate troops in the vicinity of Pensacola, Florida.

March 6, 1861

The new Confederate Congress authorizes the use of 100,000 volunteer soldiers for twelve months.

March 5, 1861

U.S. Senate confirms Lincoln's Cabinet nominations.

March 4, 1861

Abraham Lincoln takes the Oath of Office as sixteenth President of the United States.

March 3, 1861

General Winfield Scott says of seceded states," Wayward sisters, depart in peace."

March 2, 1861

U. S. Congress passes a proposed 13th Amendment stating that the Congress will not abolish or interfere with slavery where it exists.

March 1, 1861

P.G.T. Beauregard appointed as Brigadier General of Confederate States of America

February 28, 1861

Confederate States of America bonds are first printed.

February 27, 1861

The Peace Convention submits to the United States Senate a plan of adjustment involved in seven amendments to the Constitution of the United States.