Cival War Timeline By vbernardini Period: Nov 1, 1860 to Apr 14, 1865 Civil War Timeline Nov 6, 1860 Lincoln Elected Feb 18, 1861 Davis inaugurated as provisional president of Confederacy Mar 4, 1861 Lincoln inaugurated Apr 12, 1861 Confederates fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate States of America born on June 3, 1808, Jan 1, 1863 the proclamation went into effect