From Lincoln’s Election to War By MrsGrenier Period: Feb 1, 1861 to Apr 30, 1861 Road to Civil War Feb 4, 1861 Provisional Congress of Confederate States Meets Provisional Congress of Confederate States Meets Feb 9, 1861 Confederacy elects Jefferson Davis presidents Feb 22, 1861 in a speech, lincoln states ``there is no need for bloodshed or war'' Feb 27, 1861 Davis appoints three people to try "peaceful negotiations of differences" Mar 4, 1861 Lincoln's Inauguration Lincoln calls the South ''insurrectionary.'' Mar 13, 1861 lincoln refuses to recognize confederate comissioners Apr 12, 1861 Confederate cannons fire on Fort Sumter Apr 14, 1861 Union Surrenders at Fort Sumter