IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE REBELLION For a Chronology of Battles, see page 280. 1859. Oct. 16. John Brown and fifteen white men and five negroes seize the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and kill four of the inhabitants. Oct. 17. The militia and Federal troops besiege Brown and his men in the armory. Oct. 18. The armory captured by Colonel R. E. Lee (now General). Twelve of Brown's men killed. Brown and four men taken prisoners. Nov. 30. South Carolina Legislature offer resolutions, that she is ready to enter with other States into the formation of a Southern Confederacy. Dec. 2. John Brown and two negroes hung at Charlestown, Va. 1860. April 23. The Democratic National Convention assemble at Charleston, S. C., and adjourn to meet at Baltimore, June 18. The Southern Delegates secede, and meet at same time and place. May 9. The Constitutional Union Convention meet at Baltimore, and nominate John Bell for President, and Edward Everett for Vice-President. May 18. The Republican Convention at Chicago nominate Abraham Lincoln for President, and Hannibal Hamlin for Vice-President. June 23. The National Democratic Convention at Baltimore nominate Douglas and Fitzpatrick. The Seceders nominate Breckinridge and Lane. Dec. 5. The U. S. Treasury suspends specie payment. "21. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, withdraws from the U. S. Senate. "29. Secretary Dix's despatch to New Orleans, "If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." Feb. 1. Texas Ordinance of Secession passed. 9. Jefferson Davis and A. H. Stephens elected President and Vice-President of the Southern Confederacy by the Convention at Montgomery, Ala. April 12. Bombardment of Fort Sumter-the first gun fired of the Rebellion-" nobody hurt." 15. President Lincoln calls for 75,000 three months' volunteers. 16. The Confederate Government calls for 32,000 men. April 16. Virginia “Ordinance of Secession" passed in secret " " session. 16. N. Y. Legislature appropriates $3,000,000 for war purposes. 17. Jefferson Davis grants letters of marque. 19. Sixth Massachusetts Regiment mobbed in Baltimore while en route to Washington. 44 19. President Lincoln orders the blockade of Southern ports. 26. Governor Brown, of Georgia, by proclamation, prohibits the payment of all debts to Northern creditors till the end of hostilities. May 6. Arkansas "Ordinance of Secession" passed. "24. Colonel Ellsworth shot at Alexandria, Va. "30. Secretary Cameron declares slaves contraband of war. June 3. Hon. S. A. Douglas died at Chicago. His dying mes sage to his son was, "Tell them to obey the laws, and support the Constitution of the U. S." "8. The Sanitary Commission authorized and appointed by the Government. "24. Tennessee secedes by a vote of 104,913 for, and 32,134 against. July 8. $5,000,000 loaned the Government in five hours by N. Y. merchants. "10. President Lincoln calls for 500,000 volunteers. Aug. 14. All Union men notified by Jefferson Davis to leave the Confederate States in forty days. "16. The President issues a proclamation confiscating rebel property. Nov. 8. Captain Wilkes, of the U. S. steamer San Jacinto. captures Mason and Slidell, rebel emissaries, on board the English steamer Trent. Nov. 19. The First "Stone Fleet" sailed for the South from Connecticut and Massachusetts. 20. Kentucky, in State Convention, adopts an Ordinance of Secession. Dec. 4. John C. Breckinridge expelled from the U. S. Senate. "20. The main channel of Charleston Harbor obstructed by sinking sixteen vessels of the "Stone Fleet." 26. The Cabinet Council at Washington decide to give up Mason and Slidell. 28. New York banks suspend specie payments. 1862. Feb. 1. The President authorized by Act of Congress to take possession of all the railway and telegraphic lines when required for military purposes. "L 14. Commodore Foote receives his death-wound in an engagement at Fort Donelson. March 8. The first Iron-Clad Naval Engagement between the Monitor and Merrimac. Aug. 9. Recruiting brisk, and drafting in several Statestravelling restricted by order of Government to prevent fugitives escaping. Sept. 22. The President issues his Emancipation Proclamation to take effect January 1, 1863. "24. The President suspends the writ of Habeas Corpus. 1863. Feb. 16. The Senate pass the Conscription Bill, and on the 25th the House pass the same. July 13. Great Draft Riot in New York-continues four days. The Colored Orphan Asylum and a number of buildings burned. Twenty-five of the militia and police killed of wounded, and 150 of the rioters. 1864. June 5. Fremont and Cochrane nominated for President and Vice-President, but subsequently resign. "8. The Baltimore Convention nominate Lincoln and Johnsor for President and Vice-President. "19. The Pirate Alabama sunk by the Kearsarge off the coast of France. Nov. 8. Lincoln and Johnson elected President and VicePresident. "25. Hotels in New York burned by Southern incendiaries. 1865. Jan. 31. General R. E. Lee appointed Commander-in-Chief of Rebel forces by Jefferson Davis. Feb. 4. Failure of the Peace Negotiations with Rebel Commis sioners. Gold in Richmond 4,400. March 11. The President orders the disfranchisement of nonreporting deserters. April 3. Evacuation of Richmond. Jefferson Davis at Danville, Va., a fugitive. "4. President Lincoln holds a levee in Jefferson Davis' house. "7. Grant urges Lee to surrender, to save further effusion of blood. "9. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. "10. Great rejoicing all over the country. "13. Grant advises the draft to be stopped and recruiting to cease. |