What are four major events that affected texas relating to the civil war during the years 1861-1863?

February 1, 1861 – Meeting in Austin, a special convention passes the Texas Ordinance of Secession.  Within the month, Texas voters ratify the ordinance in a special election.

February 16, 1861 – General David E. Twiggs, commander of federal forces in Texas, surrenders the federal arsenal in San Antonio to secessionist volunteers led by the famed Texas Ranger Ben McCulloch, along with all additional army posts and property in Texas. Twiggs orders all 3000 Army troops stationed in Texas – mostly in defense of the Indian frontier – to march to the coast to be evacuated.

April 6-7, 1862 – Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee is first of the massive land battles of the Civil War. The 20,000 killed and wounded exceed the American casualties from the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War combined. Among the dead is Confederate commander Albert Sidney Johnston, famed veteran of the Texas army.

October 1862 – Fifty-three suspected Unionists are murdered by mob violence in North Texas in a series of incidents that becomes known as “The Great Hanging at Gainesville.”

January 1, 1863 – President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation.

January 1, 1863 – Under the command of General John B. Magruder, newly appointed Confederate commander of Texas, Confederate forces launch a surprise attack on Galveston and regain control of the city.

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