Historical Marker

Civil War Memorial

Historical marker location:
Manhattan, Kansas
( Memorial is on Sunset Avenue, 0.1 miles north of Poyntz Avenue, on the left when traveling north.)
Marker installed: 1917

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Audiobooks about the history of Kansas.
Amelia Earhart, the famous aviator, was born in Atchison, Kansas in 1897.
Kansas random facts
Riley County, Kansas, located in the northeastern part of the state, has a rich history that spans back thousands of years. The land was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Kansa, Pawnee, and Osage people, who relied on the Flint Hills' natural resources for their livelihoods. European settlement began in the early 1800s when traders and explorers ventured into the region.

In 1853, the United States government created Riley County as part of the Kansas Territory. The county was named after General Bennett Riley, who served as a military governor in the area during the Mexican-American War. The discovery of limestone in the Flint Hills drove early industry and attracted settlers to the region.

Riley County played a pivotal role during the American Civil War. The county was divided between those supporting the Confederacy and those supporting the Union, leading to conflict and tensions between neighbors. Several military engagements took place in the area, including the Battle of Middle Creek and the Burning of the Courthouse in Manhattan.

As the 20th century dawned, Riley County experienced growth and development. Manhattan, the county seat and largest city, became home to Kansas State Agricultural College (now Kansas State University) in 1863, which stimulated growth and helped shape the county's future as an education and research center. Today, Riley County is a vibrant community known for its strong agricultural heritage, education institutions, and military ties, with Fort Riley, one of the largest military bases in the United States, located in the county.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Riley County, Kansas.

  • 1855: Riley County established as one of the original 33 counties in the Kansas Territory
  • 1857: Manhattan, the county seat, officially incorporated
  • 1858: Kansas State Agricultural College, now known as Kansas State University, is founded in Manhattan
  • 1861-1865: Riley County residents actively participate in the American Civil War
  • 1864: "Wild Bill" Hickok, notorious Wild West lawman, becomes a constable in Riley County
  • 1922: The famous Claflin Drug Store shooting, involving prohibition agents, takes place in Manhattan
  • 1930s: Riley County, like the rest of the United States, is deeply affected by the Great Depression
  • 1951: Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army installation, is reactivated after World War II
  • 1986: Tuttle Creek Dam is completed, creating Tuttle Creek Lake and offering recreational opportunities in the county