- January 10
- Battle of Big Sandy River, Kentucky (Middle Creek). [1]
- Battle of Romney, West Virginia. [1]
- January 17
- (to January 22) Bombardment of Fort Henry, Tennessee, by USS Lexington. [1]
- January 18
- Confederate Territory of Arizona is formed. [1]
- January 19
- Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky (Fishing Creek, Logan's Crossroads). [1]
- January 22
- Confederate government raises premium for volunteers from $10 to $20. [1]
- January 26
- Lincoln issues General War Order #1, calling for a Union offensive; McClellan ignores order. [1]
- January 30
- The first American ironclad warship, the USS Monitor, is launched. [1] [5]
- February 6
- Naval Engagement at Tennessee River - USS Conestago versus CSS Appleton Belle. [1]
- Victory for General Ulysses S Grant in Tennessee, capturing Fort Henry, and ten days later Fort Donelson; Grant earns the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. [1]
- February 7
- Federal fleet attack on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. [1]
- February 8
- Battle of Roanoke Island, North Carolina, Federals gain control of Pamlico Sound. [1]
- February 12
- US President Abraham Lincoln signs legislation authorizing additional $10 million in demand notes. [477.74]
- February 13
- Siege of Fort Donelson, Tennessee. [1]
- February 14
- Galena, first US iron-clad warship for service at sea, launched, in Connecticut. [1]
- February 15
- Grant's major assault on Fort Donelson, Tennessee. [1]
- February 16
- Fort Donelson captured by General Grant (1,400 confederates surrender). [1]
- February 21
- Confederate Constitution and Presidency are declared permanent. [1]
- Texas Texas Rangers win Confederate victory at Battle of Val Verde, New Mexico. [1]
- February 25
- Paper currency (greenbacks) is introduced in the USA, as Congress passes the Legal Tender Act. US$150 million of United States Notes is authorized, of which $60 million is legal tender. [1] [447.16] [480.56] [578.33]
- February 26
- Battle of Woodburn, Kentucky. [1]
- March 3
- General Pope lays siege in front of New Madrid, Missouri. [1]
- March 5
- Union troops under Brigadier-General Wright occupy Fernandina, Florida. [1]
- March 6
- Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas (Elkhorn Tavern). [1]
- March 7
- Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, Day 2, Generals McCulloch and McIntosh killed. [1]
- March 8
- Battle of Elkhorn Tavern ends with Confederate withdrawal. [1]
- Confederate ironclad "Merrimack" launched. [1]
- Naval Engagement at Hampton Roads Virginia: CSS Virginia, Jamestown and Yorktown versus USS Cumberland, Congress and Monitor. [1]
- March 9
- "Monitor" (Union) and "Merrimack" (Rebel) battle in Hampton Roads. [1]
- March 11
- General Stonewall Jackson evacuates Winchester, Virginia. [1]
- Lincoln removes McClellen as general-in-chief and makes him head of Army of the Potomac. General Henry Halleck is named general-in-chief. [1]
- March 14
- Battle of New Bern, North Carolina: General Burnside conquers New Bern. [1]
- March 15
- General John Hunt Morgan begins four days of raids near Gallatin, Tennessee. [1]
- March 16
- Battle at Pound Gap, Kentucky: Confederates separate battles. [1]
- March 23
- Battle of Kernstown, Virginia - Jackson begins his Valley Campaign. [1]
- March 26
- Battle of La Glorieta Pass, New Mexico Territory (Apache Canyon, Pigeon's Ranch). [1]
- March 28
- Skirmish at Bealeton Station, Virginia. [1]
- March 31
- Civil War action at Island #10 on the Mississippi River. [1]
- April 1
- Shenandoah Valley campaign, Jackson's Battle of Woodstock, Virginia. [1]
- April 4
- Battle of Yorktown begins. [1]
- US begins Peninsular Campaign aimed at capturing Richmond. [1]
- April 5
- Siege of Yorktown, Virginia. [1]
- April 6
- Battle of Shiloh; Union defeats Confederacy in South-West Tennessee. [1]
- April 7
- Grant defeats Confederates at Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee; Island #10 falls. [1]
- April 11
- Rebels surrender Fort Pulaski, Georgia. [1]
- April 12
- James Andrews steals Confederate train (General) at Kennesaw, Georgia. [1]
- Union troops occupy Fort Pulaski, Georgia. [1]
- April 14
- Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee. [1]
- April 16
- Confederate President Jefferson Davis approves conscription act for white males between 18-35. [1]
- Slavery is officially banned in the District of Columbia. [1] [5]
- April 18
- Battles of Fort Jackson, Fort Saint Philip, and New Orleans, Louisiana. [1]
- April 21
- US Congress establishes the Denver Assay Office in Colorado. [1] [402.42]
- April 25
- Battle of New Orleans, Louisiana - US Admiral Farragut occupies New Orleans. [1]
- April 26
- US troops reclaim possession of the New Orleans Mint. [401.36] [488.36]
- April 29
- 100,000 federal troops prepare to march into Corinth, Mississippi. [1]
- April 30
- Swift Run Gap, West Virginia, skirmishes. [1]
- May 1
- Union Army captain David Farragut recaptures New Orleans. [1] [516.93]
- May 4
- Battle at Williamsburg, Virginia. [1]
- Yorktown, Virginia - McClellan halted his troop before town as it is full of armed torpedoes left by Confederate Brigadier General Gabrial Rains. [1]
- May 5
- Peninsular Campaign - Battle of Williamsburg, Virginia. [1]
- May 7
- Battle of West Point, Virginia (Eltham's Landing, Barnhamsville). [1]
- May 8
- Valley Campaign: Federals repulsed at Battle of McDowell, Virginia. [1]
- May 9
- Battle of Farmington, Mississippi. [1]
- Battle of Fort Pickens, Florida (Pensacola), evacuated by Confederates. [1]
- US Naval Academy relocated from Annapolis, Maryland, to Newport, Rhode Island. [1]
- May 10
- Battle of Plum Run Bend, Tennessee (Plum Point Bend). [1]
- May 11
- Confederates scuttle CSS Virginia off Norfolk, Virginia. [1]
- May 12
- Federal troops occupy Baton Rouge, Louisiana. [1]
- May 15
- Battle of Drewry's Bluff (Fort Darling), Virginia. [1]
- Battle of Princeton, West Virginia. [1]
- Confederate cruiser The Alabama runs aground near London. [1]
- May 17
- Battle of Princeton, West Virginia, ends; about 128 casualities. [1]
- May 23
- Battle at Front Royal, Virginia. [1]
- Valley Campaign - Stonewall Jackson takes Front Royal, Virginia. [1]
- May 25
- Battle of Winchester, Virginia. [1]
- May 27
- Battle of Hanover Court House, Virginia (Slash Church, Peake's Station). [1]
- May 30
- Battle of Booneville, Mississippi - captured General Beauregard evacuates Corinth, Mississippi. [1]
- Battle of Front Royal, Virginia. [1]
- May 31
- Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia (Fair Oaks); North defeats South. [1]
- June 1
- General Lee assumes command after Joe Johnston is injured at Seven Pines. [1]
- June 2
- General Robert E Lee takes command of the Confederate armies of East Virginia and North Carolina. [1]
- June 4
- Confederates evacuate Fort Pillow, Tennessee. [1]
- June 6
- General Turner Ashby is killed near Harrisonburg, Virginia. [1]
- Battle of Memphis - the city is surrendered. [1]
- June 8
- Valley Campaign - Battle of Cross Keys, Virginia. [1]
- June 9
- Battle of Port Republic, last of five battles in Jackson's Valley camp. [1]
- June 11
- The second Legal Tender Act authorizes an additional $150 million in legal tender notes. [413.50]
- June 15
- General JEB Stuart completes his "ride around McClellan". [1]
- June 19
- Slavery outlawed in US territories. [1]
- June 25
- Day one of the 7 Days begins with fighting at Oak Grove. [1]
- June 26
- Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Union repulse Confederacy in Virginia. [1]
- Day two of the 7 Days - Battle of Mechanicsville. [1]
- June 27
- Day three of the 7 Days - Battle of Gaines' Mill. [1]
- June 28
- Day four of the 7 Days - Battle of Savage's Station. [1]
- June 29
- Day five of the 7 Days - Battle of Savage's Station. [1]
- June 30
- Day six of the 7 Days - Battle of White Oak Swamp. [1]
- July 1
- Day 7 of the 7 Days - Battle of Malvern Hill. [1]
- July 9
- General John Hunt Morgan captures Tompkinsville, Kentucky. [1]
- July 11
- US Congress authorizes another US$150 million in United States Notes. [447.16]
- July 12
- US Congress authorizes the Medal of Honor, highest award for gallantry under fire. [1] [512.36]
- July 14
- Treasury Secretary Chase advises Congress monetize postage stamps for small change. [451.38]
- July 16
- David G Farragut becomes first rear admiral in US Navy. [1]
- July 17
- US Congress passes Postage Currency Act allowing all forms of government postage stamps to be exchanged by assistant treasurers for greenbacks for payments of less than $5, and outlaws all privately issued notes with value under $1. [413.82] [646.15]
- US army authorized to accept blacks as laborers. [1]
- July 24
- Boston inventor John Gault files patent for stamp-preserving brass case. [420.62]
- July 26
- Great Eastern departs New York for Liverpool with US$600,000 in specie aboard. [459.64]
- July 28
- Confederate forces defeated at Moore's Hill, Missouri. [1]
- August 6
- CSA ironclad "Arkansas" is badly damaged in Union attack. [1]
- August 9
- Prelude to second Manassas, Jackson is victorious at Battle of Cedar Mount, however General Charles S Winder is killed. [1]
- August 12
- General John Hunt Morgan and his raiders capture Gallatin, Texas. [1]
- John Gault receives a patent on encasing postage stamps under a mica window and in a circular brass backing, for use as currency. [413.84]
- August 14
- Abraham Lincoln receives first group of blacks to confer with US president. [1]
- August 21
- The US government begins printing postage currency, 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50-cent notes. [646.15]
- August 25
- Secretary of War authorizes General Rufus Saxton to arm 5,000 slaves. [1]
- August 29
- Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) begins. [1]
- August 30
- Battle of Altamont - Confederates beat Union forces in Tennessee. [1]
- Battle of second Manassas - Pope defeated by Lee - Battle of Richmond, Kentucky. [1]
- September 1
- Severe action at Chantilly, Virginia. [1]
- September 5
- General Lee crosses the Potomac and enters Maryland. [1]
- September 6
- Stonewall Jackson occupies Fredrick, Maryland. [1]
- September 9
- General Lee splits his army and sends Jackson to capture Harper's Ferry. [1]
- September 15
- Stonewall Jackson takes Harper's Ferry. [1]
- September 16
- General Bragg's army surrounds 4000 federals at Munfordville, Kentucky. [1]
- September 17
- Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) - bloodiest day of the US Civil War. [1] [437.80] [502.38] [549.72]
- September 19
- Battle of Luka, Mississippi. [1]
- September 22
- US President Abraham Lincoln issues an executive order, declaring freedom for all slaves in any state in the Confederacy that did not return to Union control by January 1, 1863. [1] [505.70]
- September 23
- Lincoln's Emancipation is published in Northern Newspapers. [1]
- September 24
- Confederate Congress adopts confederacy seal. [1]
- October 3
- Battle of Corinth, Mississippi. [1]
- October 4
- Battle of Corinth ends. [1]
- October 8
- Battle of Perryville, Kentucky - Confederate invasion halted. [1]
- October 12
- JEB Stuart completes his "second ride around McClellan". [1]
- Major General Earl Van Dorn assumes command of Confederate troops in Missisippi. [1]
- October 18
- Morgan's raiders capture the federal garrison at Lexington, Kentucky. [1]
- November 9
- General Grant issues orders to bar Jews from serving under him. [1]
- November 17
- Confederate Secretary of War George B Randolph resigns. [1]
- November 20
- Confederate army of Tennessee, organizes under General Braxton Bragg. [1]
- November 26
- The US government purchases the site for the future Denver Mint for $25,000. [455.28] [544.48]
- December 5
- Battle of Coffeeville, Mississippi. [1]
- December 7
- Battle of Hartsville, Tennessee. [1]
- Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. [1]
- December 12
- Battle of Dumfries, Virginia. [1]
- The two electrically detonated underwater torpedoes sink the USS Cairo ironclad battleship in the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg, Mississippi. [701.18,20]
- December 13
- Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Marye's Heights); South beats North. [1]
- December 17
- General Ulysses Grant issues order #11, expelling Jews from Tennessee. [1]
- December 18
- Battle at Lexington, Tennessee (Forrest's Second Raid). [1]
- December 19
- Skirmish at Jackson/Salem Church, Tennessee (80 casualties). [1]
- December 20
- Battle of Holly Spring, Mississippi. [1]
- Battle of Kelly's Ford, Virginia. [1]
- Brigadier-General Nathan B Forrest occupies Trenton, Kentucky. [1]
- Vicksburg campaign. [1]
- December 22
- Raid on Morgan's: Bardstown to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. [1]
- December 23
- Union General Ben "Beast" Butler is proclaimed a "felon, outlaw and common enemy of mankind" by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. [1]
- December 26
- Battle of Dumfries, Virginia. [1]
- December 27
- Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi (Chickasaw Bayou). [1]
- Battle of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. [1]
- December 29
- Battle of Chichasaw Bayou: Confederate armies defeat Union Army General Tecumseh Sherman with loss of 1700 men. [1] [701.18]
- December 31
- James Edward Rains, lawyer/Confederate Brigadier-General, dies in battle at age 29. [1]
- Joshua Woodrow Sill, US Union Brigadier-General, dies in battle at age 31. [1]
- Battle of Stone's River, Tennessee (Stone River, Murfreesboro). [1]
- US President Abraham Lincoln signs act admitting West Virginia to the Union. [1]
- Skirmish at Parker Cross Roads Tennessee. [1]
- Union ironclad ship Monitor sinks off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. [1]
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