Civil War By Torresr Period: Jul 21, 1861 to Jul 25, 1861 War's first major battle erupts Manassas Period: Jul 25, 1861 to Jul 26, 1861 Maj. Gen McClellan appointed first commander of the Union force Period: Aug 10, 1861 to Aug 30, 1861 Battle of Wilson's Creek (Oak Hill) Period: Aug 30, 1861 to Sep 3, 1861 John Charle Freemont issues unofficial Emancipation Proclamation in Missouri Period: Oct 21, 1861 to Oct 24, 1861 Battle of Balls Bluff Period: Dec 8, 1861 to Dec 9, 1861 CSS Sumter Seizes Northern merchant ship Period: Jan 19, 1862 to Jan 22, 1862 Battle of Mill Spring Period: Mar 7, 1862 to Mar 8, 1862 Battle of Pea Ridge Period: Mar 23, 1862 to Mar 24, 1862 Battle of First Kernstown Period: Mar 28, 1862 to Apr 4, 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass