15th April 1861: President Abraham Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to suppress the growing insurrection in the southern states

Lincoln’s call for volunteers was part of his effort to maintain the authority of the federal government after several southern states seceded from the Union.

1st February 1861: Texas declares its secession from the United States after a convention votes overwhelmingly in favour

Elected representatives assembled in Austin on January 28, 1861, and four days later on 1 February the convention voted 166 to 8 in favour of secession. The decision was confirmed through a state-wide referendum on 23 February.