WHAT HAPPENED IN 1861.
Look what happened the 1861.

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

American Civil War: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom issues a "proclamation of neutrality" which recognizes the breakaway states as having belligerent rights. (13. May 1861)

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

Pakistan’s (then a part of British India) first railway line opens, from Karachi to Kotri. (13. May 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: Union troops occupy Alexandria, Virginia. (24. May 1861)

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

American Civil War, Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1861): the first land battle of the American Civil War after the Battle of Fort Sumter, producing the first Confederate combat casualty. (1. June 1861)

American Civil War: Battle of Philippi (also called the Philippi Races) – Union forces rout Confederate troops in Barbour County, Virginia, now West Virginia, in first land battle of the War. (3. June 1861)

American Civil War: Tennessee secedes from the Union. (8. June 1861)

American Civil War: Battle of Big Bethel - Confederate troops under John B. Magruder defeat a much larger Union force led by General Ebenezer W. Pierce in Virginia. (10. June 1861)

Battle of Vienna, Virginia in the American Civil War. (17. June 1861)

American Civil War: at the order of President Abraham Lincoln, Union troops begin a 25 mile march into Virginia for what will become the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major land battle of the war. (16. July 1861)

American Civil War: First Battle of Bull Run – at Manassas Junction, Virginia, the first major battle of the war begins and ends in a victory for the Confederate army. (21. July 1861)

American Civil War: The United States Congress passes the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution, stating that the war is being fought to preserve the Union and not to end slavery. (25. July 1861)

American Civil War: George B. McClellan assumes command of the Army of the Potomac following a disastrous Union defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run. (26. July 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 United States Army abolishes flogging. (5. August 1861)

The United Kingdom annexes Lagos, Nigeria. (6. August 1861)

American Civil War: Battle of Wilson's Creek – the war enters Missouri when a band of raw Confederate troops defeat Union forces in the southwestern part of the state. (10. August 1861)