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Civil War Firsts
The American Civil War has been termed the first modern war. Along with this distinction, came many other firsts, both military and non-military. Here are a few:
The first to die in the war is Private Daniel Hough. He died after the surrender of Ft Sumter, when gun powder accidentally exploded.
The first prisoner of war was Union Naval Lt John Worden. He was arrested traveling from Florida to Washington DC by Conf Gen Braxton Bragg.
Union Col Elmer Ellsworth, of the 11 New York Zouaves, was shot to death attempting to remove a Confederate flag from a Hotel in Alexandria VA. He was the first officer killed in the line of duty.
The first land battle was the Battle of Philippi. The purpose of this battle was to keep the B&O Railroad running from Baltimore, Maryland to Cincinnati, Ohio, and show support for the Virginians in the western part of the state.
The first general to die is Conf Gen Robert Garnett. He is shot at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford in western Virginia. This are would eventually be come the Union state of West Virginia
.
The first tethered reconnaissance balloon to ascend from a naval ship, was off the coast of Virginia. It was surveying Hampton Roads.
The first naval action of the war was in Pensacola Harbor.
Oregon Senator Edward Baker, field commander, becomes the first (and only) sitting senator to die in battle.
The first medal of Medal of Honor was created by President Lincoln to be presented to sailors or marines.
The USS Monitor was the first ship to have a turret gun.
The first all-black regiment is formed in Union-controlled New Orleans from "free Negroes."
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States, but the first to enter where the terms slave and free no longer mattered
The motto "In God We Trust" approved for US coinage in 1864.
The first income tax was initiated to finance the Civil War.
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