apr 12, 1861 - Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumpter when Lincoln admin directs an attempted food resupply

Description:

-decision to seize fort made by Jefferson Davis and other government members of the Confederate states.
-fire-eaters Edmund Ruffin shot the first cannon on the 12th
-14th- union yields
-april 15- Lincoln called militiamen into federal service for 90 days (northerners reply with enthusiasm, even Stephen douglas joined the action)

Added to timeline:

Date: