WHAT ALL HAPPENED MAY TO DECEMBER 1861
Find out what all happened May to December 1861

The United States Army abolishes flogging. (5. August 1861)

American Civil War: Battle of Belmont: In Belmont, Missouri, Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant overrun a Confederate camp but are forced to retreat when Confederate reinforcements arrive. (7. November 1861)

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce is founded, in Hong Kong. (29. May 1861)

American Civil War: Battle of Ball's Bluff – Union forces under Colonel Edward Baker are defeated by Confederate troops in the second major battle of the war. Baker, a close friend of Abraham Lincoln, is killed in the fighting. (21. October 1861)

American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjamin secretary of war. (21. November 1861)

American Civil War: United States Navy squadron captures forts at Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina. (29. August 1861)

American Civil War: Richmond, Virginia is named the capital of the Confederate States of America. (8. May 1861)

American Civil War: Citing failing health, Union General Winfield Scott resigns as Commander of the United States Army. (31. October 1861)

American Civil War: The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War is established by the U.S. Congress. (9. December 1861)

American Civil War: The state of Kentucky proclaims its neutrality, which will last until September 3 when Confederate forces enter the state. Meanwhile, the State of North Carolina secedes from the Union. (20. May 1861)

American Civil War: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan as the commander of the Union Army, replacing General Winfield Scott. (1. November 1861)

The first documented football match in Canada is played at University College, University of Toronto. (9. November 1861)

The Great Comet of 1861 is discovered by John Tebbutt of Windsor, New South Wales, Australia. (13. May 1861)

American Civil War: Secession ordinance is filed by Kentucky's Confederate government. (20. November 1861)

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln suspends the writ of habeas corpus in Washington, D.C., for all military-related cases. (23. October 1861)

The Toronto Stock Exchange is created. (25. October 1861)

American Civil War: The Trent Affair: Confederate diplomatic envoys James M. Mason and John Slidell are freed by the United States government, thus heading off a possible war between the United States and United Kingdom. (26. December 1861)

American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US $800; rescinded in 1872). (5. August 1861)

The Pony Express officially ceases operations. (26. October 1861)

American Civil War: Forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant bloodlessly capture Paducah, Kentucky, which gives the Union control of the mouth of the Tennessee River. (6. September 1861)