Timeline of the book Night John. By tspezze Period: Jan 1, 1860 to Jan 1, 1866 Civil War Timespan Jan 2, 1861 The South secedes from the North Apr 3, 1861 the attack on Fort Sumter left four more states to join the Confederacy. Apr 9, 1861 Civil war began with shots fired at Fort Sumter Jun 28, 1861 Four slave states stay in the Union. Delware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri. Jan 2, 1862 President Lincoln issued a war order authorizing the Union to launch a unified aggressive action against the Confederacy. Apr 3, 1862 Flag officer David Farragut lead an assault up the Mississippi. Apr 1, 1864 There was a rich harvest for photographers in Rappohannock. May 1, 1864 General Grant continued to attack Lee. Jun 1, 1864 Grant again attacked Confederate forces at Cold Harbor. Apr 1, 1865 Remaining Confederate troops were defeated by the end of April . Apr 9, 1865 General Lee's troops were surrounded and they agreed to surrender. Apr 14, 1865 President lincold was watching a performance, and was shot by John Wilkes booth.