Jefferson Davis

A riot broke out at West Point on 24–25 December 1826, caused by cadets becoming riotous after consuming whiskey-based eggnog.

A court of inquiry was assembled in January 1827 to investigate the riot, with some cadets facing simultaneous exams and inquiry.

The U.S. Congress appropriated $30,000 on March 3, 1855, for the U.S. Camel Corps experiment, following Davis's 1854 report.

Delegates in Tucson ratified the ordinance of secession for southern New Mexico Territory in March 1861, establishing a provisional government.

Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as provisional president in Montgomery on February 18, 1861, coinciding with the signing of the Provisional Constitution.

Mississippi became the second state to secede from the Union on January 9, 1861.

Florida seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861, in Tallahassee.

Alabama seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861, in Montgomery.

Georgia seceded from the Union on January 19, 1861, in Milledgeville.

Louisiana seceded from the Union on January 26, 1861, in Baton Rouge.

While seven Deep South states seceded, secession efforts failed in the other eight slave states by February 1861.

Texas seceded from the Union on February 1, 1861, in Austin.

The Provisional Confederate Congress met in Montgomery on February 4, and the CSA was formed on February 8, 1861.

Judah P. Benjamin was appointed Confederate Secretary of War in late 1861, while continuing to act as Attorney General until November 15, 1861.

George B. McClellan became general-in-chief of all Union armies on November 1, 1861, following Winfield Scott's retirement.

Presidential elections were held in the Confederate States on November 6, 1861, resulting in Jefferson Davis's election.

David Hunter replaced John C. Frémont in the Western Department; the department itself was discontinued on November 9, 1861.

The Confederate Congress admitted Missouri as the 12th Confederate state on November 28, 1861.

Kentucky was admitted to the Confederacy on December 10, 1861, recognizing its provisional government.

President Lincoln signed Public Resolution 82 on December 21, 1861, creating a Navy Medal of Honor.

Farragut's fleet forced passage past Confederate forts in April 1862, enabling the capture of New Orleans.

Union forces occupied New Orleans between April 25 and May 1, 1862, securing the Mississippi River.

Benjamin Butler governed New Orleans from May to December 1862, but was recalled due to controversial orders.

Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as president on February 22, 1862, for a six-year term.

Lee sent a resignation letter to Davis on August 8, 1863, following the defeat at Gettysburg.

Union troops compelled Confederate forces to retreat from Four Oaks, North Carolina, during the Battle of Bentonville.

Confederate forces briefly captured Fort Stedman before being repulsed, weakening their positions.

Union victory at Five Forks forced the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond.

Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.

Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to William Tecumseh Sherman at Bennett Place.

The steamboat Sultana exploded and sank in the Mississippi River, killing 1,164 people.

The Confederate Congress formally designated Robert E. Lee as General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States on January 23, 1865.

The Confederate Senate passed General Order 14 by a single vote, authorizing the enlistment of African American troops.

President Jefferson Davis signed General Order 14 into law, formalizing the authorization for African American enlistment.