December 27, 1860.

The first Federal property to fall into South Carolina’s hands was the U.S. revenue cutter William Aiken, turned over to secessionists by its commander, Capt. N. l. Coste, who did not resign from his commission, violated his oath of office. The crew left the ship and went North.

Castle Pickney was seized by South Carolina militia and a problem arose: were the two Federal soldiers captured in the fort to be considered prisoners of war? If so, it would imply there was, in fact, a war. Following a lengthy discussion, the one Federal officer was allowed to go to Fort Sumter while a sergeant and his family were given safe conduct to remain in their quarters at the fort. What was significant was that the secessionists now held a U.S. fort for the first time. Union officer Abner Doubleday called it “…the first overt act of the Secessionists against the Sovereignty of the United States.”

Fort Moultrie is taken by South Carolina militia.

December 28, 1860.

A detachment of South Carolina militia enters and takes control of Fort Johnson. Three out of four Federal forts have been seized and are now under the control of South Carolina militia troops.

January 3, 1861.

The War Department canceled plans to ship guns from Pittsburgh to the forts in the South. Former Secretary of War Floyd, who resigned and went South, had been shipping weapons and large guns South for the past several months to help build up the Southern arsenals.

January 4, 1861.

Even though it had not yet seceded from the Union, Alabama troops seized the U.S. arsenal at Mt. Vernon, Alabama.

January 5, 1861.

Even though it STILL has not yet seceded from the Union, Alabama seizes Fort Morgan and Gaines, protecting the harbor at Mobile.

January 6, 1861.

Even though it has not yet seceded from the Union, Florida troops seized the Federal arsenal at Apalachicola.

January 7, 1861.

Still not having yet separated from the Union, Florida troops seized Fort Marion at St. Augustine.

January 8, 1861.

At Fort Barrancas, guarding the entrance to Pensacola Harbor, Federal troops fired on a raiding party of about twenty men, who then fled.

January 9, 1861.

On this day, Senators Judah P. Benjamin and John Slidell of Louisiana telegraphed Gov. Moore of that state, which had not yet seceded from the Union, that Federal gunboats were secretly bringing supplies to the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Here are a pair of men who were secretly betraying a government to which they still swore their allegiance. Gov. Moore ordered Braxton Bragg and 500 troops to seize the forts and the United States arsenal at Baton Rouge.

The Star of the West attempted to resupply Fort Sumter, but was fired upon by a masked battery from Morris Island and then by guns from Fort Moultrie, in spite of the fact two U.S. flags were flown. The ship was repeatedly fired on, forcing it to turn and steam away.

January 10, 1861.

Gen. Bragg and the militia seize the U.S. forts and arsenals in Louisiana.

January 12, 1861.

Capt. James Armstrong, commander of the Warrington Navy Yard at Pensacola, Florida, is captured and regarded as a prisoner of war, and …placed on his parole of honor…not to bear arms against the State of Florida.

January 13, 1861.

Several men are seen near Fort Pickens in the night and were fired upon. These unknown men retired from the area of the fort.

January 21, 1861.

Mississippi troops seize Fort Massachusetts off the coast, in the Gulf. Ship Island is also taken.

January 24, 1861.

Georgia troops occupy the U.S. arsenal at Augusta.

January 24, 1861.

At Savannah, Georgia, Fort Jackson and the Oglethorpe Barracks are seized by state troops.

January 29, 1861.

Louisiana state troops take possession of Fort Macomb, outside New Orleans. The revenue cutter Robert McClelland was surrendered to Louisiana state authorities by Capt. Breshwood, despite orders not to do so by the Secretary of the Treasury.

January 31, 1861.

In New Orleans, the U.S. Branch Mint was seized by state troops along with the revenue schooner Washington.

February 8, 1861.

Before it had seceded from the Union, Arkansas troops seize the Little Rock U.S. arsenal.

February 12, 1861.

Confederate officials in Montgomery took charge of matters related to the occupation of Federal property within the seceded states and all other military matters. On that date, they “Resolved in the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That this government takes under its charge the questions and difficulties now existing between the several states of this Confederacy and the government of the United States of America, relative to the occupation of forts, arsenals, navy-yards, and other public establishments…”

February 15, 1861.

The Confederate Congress passes a second resolution “That it is the sense of this Congress that immediate steps should be taken to obtain possession of Forts Sumter and Pickens…either by negotiations or force, as early as practicable, and that the President is hereby authorized to make all necessary military preparations…”

February 16, 1861.

Before it had seceded from the Union, Texas militia in San Antonio seize the U.S. military compound, barracks and arsenal.

February 19, 1861.

In New Orleans, the U.S. Paymaster’s office was seized by state troops.

March 2, 1861.

Texas, now out of the Union, seized the U.S. revenue schooner Henry Dodge at Galveston.

March 6, 1861.

The Confederate Congress authorizes an army of 100,000 volunteers for twelve months.

March 15, 1861.

The State of Louisiana transferred over $536,000 in money taken from the U.S. Mint in New Orleans to the Confederate government.

March 18, 1861.

In the Florida panhandle, Gen. Braxton Bragg refused to permit further supply of Fort Pickens.

March 20, 1861.

Texas troops seize three more Federal forts. At Mobile, a Federal supply ship, the U.S. sloop Isabella, was seized before it could sail with supplies to Pensacola.

April 3, 1861.

In the South, a battery placed on Morris Island in Charleston harbor fired at the Federal schooner Rhoda H. Shannon.

April 12, 1861.

At 4:30AM, Fort Sumter was fired upon by Southern forces.

Source: The Beginning And The End, by Dayton Pryor