The first shot in the Civil War was fired upon the steamer “Star of the West” off Charleston Harbor, S. C., on Jan. 9, 1861. However, this was more than three months before the war officially started. The Civil War started with the bombardment of Fort Sumter, S. C., at 4:30 A. M., April 12, 1861. The first Southern blood was shed on the streets of Baltimore, Md., on April 19, 1861. The First Confederate Congress was formed in Montgomery, Ala., on Feb. 4, 1861. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was elected President of the Confederacy on Feb. 9, 1861. Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia was elected Vice-President. The inauguration was on Feb. 18, 1861. President Lincoln freed the slaves on Sept. 22, 1862. The Gatling gun was patented Nov. 4, 1862. The First Colored Regiment was formed Jan. 25, 1863. South Carolina was the first state to secede; North Carolina was the last. South Carolina seceded from the Union on Dec. 20, 1860. The other states followed in this order: Florida on Jan. 7, 1861; Mississippi on Jan. 9, 1861; Alabama on Jan. 11, 1861; Georgia on Jan. 19, 1861; Louisiana on Jan. 26, 1861; Texas on Feb. 1, 1861; Virginia on April 17, 1861; Tennessee on May 6, 1861; Arkansas on May 18, 1861, and North Carolina on May 21, 1861. There were more battles fought in Virginia than in any other state. It is reported that more than 400 battles and actions were fought there. The second largest number was fought in Tennessee. The most eventful “holiday” in the Civil War was July 4, 1863. On this particular date the Tullahoma Campaign ended; the Union army was victorious at Gettysburg and Vicksburg fell. Pickett’s famous charge at Gettysburg was the most colorful event of the Civil War. Ohio furnished almost one-third of the Union troops at the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. General Robert E. Lee was once offered the command of all the Union forces in the United States, but he declined the offer. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, one of the South’s ablest commanders, resigned the Colonelcy of the 2nd U. S. Cavalry to enter the service of the Confederacy. Gen. Johnston was killed at the Battle of Shiloh. There were approximately 87,000 men who hired their fighting done. This number, whom were drafted, paid commutation and were exempted from service. There were almost an even 100,000 of the U. S. Colored Troops whom were recruited from the Confederate States. About 250 of the Regular U. S. Volunteers were ex-Confederate soldiers. All of the Confederate States had troops in the Union Army. The data below will furnish proof of this statement: Alabama—1 Regiment Heavy Artillery; 2 Regiments of Cavalry; 1 Co. of Cavalry; 2 Regiments of Infantry. Arkansas—2 Batteries of Light Artillery; 4 Regiments of Cavalry; 1 Co. of Cavalry; 1 Infantry Battalion; 1 Co. of Infantry; 9 Regiments of Infantry. Florida—1 Battery of Light Artillery; 3 Regiments of Cavalry; 1 Co. of Infantry. Georgia—1 Infantry Battalion.