Listing of all day-by-day events of the American Civil War related to the state of North Carolina.
The American Civil War crossed borders throughout many states as the nation was plunged into turmoil. Key battles were fought throughout the land with the most being recorded in the state of Virginia followed by the state of Tennessee. The war stretched into loosely established territories in the West as well and involved actions in international waters and support from foreign powers. In the end, the fractured country required decades of healing and its scars can still be seen today.
There are a total of (45)Civil War Events by State - North Carolina events in the CivilWarTimeline.net database. Entries are listed below by date-of-occurrence ascending (first-to-last). Other leading and trailing events are also included for perspective.
Day-by-Day Timeline of Events
January 2, 1861
North Carolinian forces take the Fayetteville arsenal as well as Fort Macon and the forts of Wilmington.
April 27, 1861
President Lincoln adds east coast ports in Virginia and North Carolina to the existing naval blockade action of the South.
May 20, 1861
North Carolina officially secedes from the Union.
August 29, 1861
Union forces take Fort Hatteras in North Carolina.
August 29, 1861
Union forces take Fort Clark in North Carolina.
August 29, 1861
The Hatteras Inlet of North Carolina is claimed by Union forces.
February 8, 1862
The Union Navy is victorious over Confederate forces at Roanoke Island in North Carolina.
February 10, 1862
Confederate forces of the "Mosquito Fleet" fall to elements of the Union Navy near Elizabeth City, North Carolina as part of the Battle of Elizabeth City. The Mosquito Fleet was originally in service to the state and later passed to the Confederate Navy.
March 14, 1862
The Battle of New Bern is had in Craven County, North Carolina. 11,000 Union soldiers are supported by fourteen gunboats against a Confederate Army showcasing 4,000 troops and single cavalry regiment. The result is a Union victory with minimal losses on both sides.
March 14, 1862
New Bern, North Carolina falls to a combined Union land-naval force led by General Ambrose Burnside.
April 14, 1862
A combined Union army-navy force takes New Bern, North Carolina.
April 19, 1862
A combined Union army-navy force takes Camden, North Carolina.
April 25, 1862
Fort Macon (Beaufort Harbor) along the North Carolina coast falls to Union forces.
April 26, 1862
Confederate elements at Fort Macon surrender.
September 6, 1862
Confederate and Union ground forces clash at Washington, North Carolina.
January 30, 1863
Union land forces, aided by the Navy, cut-off enemy supply lines running from North Carolina into Richmond, Virginia.
March 31, 1863
Union warships stop a Confederate advance on Washington, North Carolina.
April 2, 1863
USS Alligator sinks while being towed near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
July 15, 1863
The Department of Virginia and North Carolina is created by the Union.
February 1, 1864
From the period of February 1st to the 3rd, Confederate forces unsuccessfully attempt to retake New Bern, North Carolina from Union defenders.
February 2, 1864
USS Underwriter is claimed and destroyed by Confederate warships in the Neuse River (North Carolina).
March 4, 1864
CSS Don, a Confederate Navy blockade runner, is run down and captured by USS Pequot near Beaufort, North Carolina.
March 20, 1864
General George Stoneman undertakes a three-day cavalry raiding campaign into Virginia and North Carolina from a Union base in Tennessee.
April 19, 1864
USS Southfield falls victim to an attack by CSS Albemarle near Plymouth, North Carolina. Southfield is sunk in the act. This loss drives Union naval forces away.
April 20, 1864
Plymouth, North Carolina falls to the Confederates.
May 25, 1864
CSS Albemarle survives a Union torpedo attack at Albemarle Sound in North Carolina waters.
August 6, 1864
The Confederate raider CSS Tallahassee departs Wilmington, North Carolina.
November 23, 1864
Union forces at Fort Fisher in North Carolina fail to unseat Confederate defenders through explosives.
December 12, 1864
Union forces undertake a new offensive to capture the Confederate-held position at Fort Fisher, North Carolina. The offensive will last until the 27th.
December 25, 1864
Again, defenders at Fort Fisher (Wilmington, North Carolina) survive another Union attempt to take their position. This time the Union enacts a combined land and sea attack to no avail.
December 27, 1864
Defenders at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, are successful in their defense against a Union offensive to retake the position.
February 1, 1865
A new march by General Sherman sees his army proceed north into South Carolina and then North Carolina.
February 11, 1865
The Battle of Wilmington (North Carolina) begins between 12,000 Union and 6,000 Confederate troops. Generals Schofield and Porter lead the Union against General Bragg of the Confederacy. Fighting would last until February 22nd.
February 22, 1865
The Battle of Wilmington ends with the Union capture of Wilmington itself.
March 10, 1865
The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads is recorded on this date. Fighting takes place near Fayetteville in North Carolina and is an inconclusive engagement.
March 14, 1865
Union forces under the direction of General Sheridan take Fayatteville, North Carolina.
March 16, 1865
The Battle of Averasborough takes place in North Carolina. It is an inconclusive engagement between the forces of General Sherman and General Hardee.
March 19, 1865
The Battle of Bentonville takes place in Bentonville, North Carolina. It is a Union victory for General Sherman over General Johnston. Strength is 60,000 to 21,900 with losses reaching 1,527 to 2,606, respectively. Fighting goes into the 21st.
April 13, 1865
Confederate General Johnston calls for an armistice.
April 13, 1865
Raleigh, North Carolina is taken by Union forces under General Philip Sheridan.
April 18, 1865
Durham Station, North Carolina is the site of a Confederate army surrender. Union General William Sherman presides as he accepts the surrender of General Joseph Johnston and his forces.
April 19, 1865
Confederate President Davis, now in Charlotte (North Carolina) is informed of President Lincoln's assassination and death.
April 26, 1865
The army under Confederate General Johnston is formally surrendered to Union authorities.
April 26, 1865
Charlotte, North Carolina is the site of the final meeting of the Confederate congress.
April 26, 1865
The Army of Tennessee formally surrenders to Union authorities. This takes place at Greensboro, North Carolina.
