Maryland

January 5, 1861.   Fort Washington:   This old fort about 20 miles from the District of Columbia is garrisoned by a small force to protect Washington from possible southern attack up the Potomac River. ^{Long 22}

April 19, 1861.   Baltimore, MD:   Civilians sympathetic to the Confederacy attack Union troops of the 6th Mass. Regiment marching through the city from one train depot to another on their way from Massachusetts, through New York to Washington.   Nine civilians and four soldiers are killed.   As a result, Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, general-in-chief of Union forces, ordersNew England troops to move via New York to Philadelphia to Perryville, MD, via railroad and then to Annapolis by ship on the Chesapeake Bay, and then to Washington via railroad, after repairing the railroad tracks, bridges and telegraph lines severed by Maryland secessionists.   In that way, they avoid the mobs of Baltimore. ^{Bowman 52}   The rioting continues until Lincoln suspends the writ of habeas corpus on April 27 in the area from Philadelphia to Washington to secure troop movements.

April 29, 1861.   Annapolis:   The Maryland House of Delegates votes against secession 53 to 13. ^{Long 67}

May 13, 1861.   Baltimore:   Brig. Gen. Benjamin Franklin Butler moves federal troops into the city without government authorization, believing that further pro-southern riots may occur.   He finds arms, supplies and munitions manufacturing destined for Confederate forces.   He seizes Federal Hill, which commands the city, fortifies it with fifty heavy guns, and Baltimore is henceforth under Union control. His move is resented locally, but approved generally in the Union. ^{Long 74}

June 10, 1861.   Baltimore:   Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Prentiss Banks assumes command of the Department of Annapolis, comprising the state of Maryland, to secure its loyalty to the Union. ^{CMH n.p.}