More to Explore
People and Groups
Themes
This Day in History
Feb 10
Civil War
Davis learns he is Confederate president, 1861
On this day in 1861, Jefferson Davis, a former U.S. senator from Mississippi who served as U.S. secretary of war in the 1850s, receives word he has…
Recommended Articles
-
Sarah Edmonds
(born December 1841, probably York county, New Brunswick [Canada]—died September 5, 1898, La Porte, Texas, U.S.) American soldier who fought, disguised as a man, in the Civil War.
-
Fort Sumter
historic site preserving Fort Sumter, location of the first engagement of the American Civil War (April 12, 1861). The fort is situated on a man-made island at the entrance to the harbour of Charleston, South Carolina, U.
-
William Buel Franklin
(born Feb. 27, 1823, York, Pa., U.S.—died March 8, 1903, Hartford, Conn.) Union general during the American Civil War (1861–65) who was particularly active in the early years of fighting around Washington, D.
-
Irvin McDowell
(born Oct. 15, 1818, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.—died May 4, 1885, San Francisco) U.S. Federal army officer who, after serving through the Mexican War, was promoted to brigadier general in 1861 and put in command of the Department of Northeastern Virginia.
Site of three successive forts built (1851, 1861, 1863–68) by the U.S. Army near Watrous in northern New Mexico, about 60 miles (95 km) northeast of Santa Fe. The fort, at a junction of two branches of the Santa Fe Trail, protected settlers on the trail and was an important supply depot. The first fort was established by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin V. Sumner in 1851. An earthen fort was built nearby in 1861 to hold back an invasion by Confederate troops during the American Civil War. The third version of the fort took five years to complete and was the largest in the Southwest. It was abandoned in 1891 and fell into ruin.
The 720-acre (291-hectare) site was designated a national monument in 1954. There is a self-guided trail through the ruins, and the visitors' centre displays historical exhibits. Wagon wheel ruts on the Santa Fe trail are still visible.
Copyright © 1994-2011 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. For more information visit Britannica.com.
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
Shop HISTORY
-
Civil War: Rebellion to Reconstruction DVD Set
Experience the turbulent events that ignited the bloodiest, most divisive war this country has known.
$111.99
-
The American Civil War DVD Set
Experience for yourself the historical and personal impact of the Civil War.
$99.95
-
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign upClassroom Study Guides
-
Vietnam in HD Teacher's Guide (PDF)
Classroom companion for the new HISTORY series Vietnam in HD.
-
10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America: Antietam (PDF)
Teacher's Guide to the program dramatically exploring the events, meaning, and significance of the watershed battle at Antietam.
