1861

The United States Congress passed the first national income tax calling for 3% on incomes over $800.00.  The bill also provided for new and stiffer tariffs.

Federal reconnaissance from Ironton to Centreville, Missouri.  Skirmish at Dug Springs, Missouri.

Fort Stanton, New Mexico Territory, is abandoned by Federal forces.

1862

Skirmish at Jonesborough, Arkansas.

Skirmish on Totten’s Plantation, in Coahoma County, Mississippi.  Skirmish at the extinct town of Austin in Tunica County, Mississippi.

Skirmish along Clear Creek, in the vicinity of Taberville, Missouri.

Federal reconnaissance from Harrison’s Landing and the Union reoccupation of Malvern Hill, Virginia.  Skirmish at Orange Courthouse, West Virginia.

Beginning of seven days of Federal operation in the vicinity of Wyoming Courthouse, West Virginia.  Beginning of four days of Federal operations between Meadow Bluff and the Greenbrier River, West Virginia.

1863

Confederate scout from Pocahontas Arkansas, to Patterson, Missouri.

Skirmish at Stumptown, Missouri

Skirmish at Cummings’ Point, South Carolina.

Skirmish at Newtown, Virginia.

1864

There was a build-up of Federal Naval strength off the mouth of Mobile Bay, Alabama

Federal naval expedition to McIntosh County, Georgia.

Federal reconnaissance from Berwick to Pattersonville, Louisiana.

Skirmish at New Haven, Kentucky.

Skirmish at Hancock and Old Town, Maryland.

Skirmishing along Norris Creek ,in the vicinity of Holden, Missouri.

Skirmish at Murphy, North Carolina.

Skirmish at Green Springs Run, West Virginia.

1865  

The captain and crew of the C.S.S. Shenandoah, still prowling the waters of the Pacific in search of Yankee whaling ships, is finally informed by a British vessel that the South has lost the war.

The Shenandoah was the last major Confederate cruiser to set sail. Launched as a British vessel in September 1863, it was purchased by the Confederates and commissioned in October 1864. The 230-foot-long craft was armed with eight large guns and a crew of 73 sailors. Commanded by Captain James I. Waddell, the Shenandoah steered toward the Pacific and targeted Yankee whaling ships. Waddell enjoyed great success, taking six ships in the South Pacific before slipping into Melbourne, Australia, for repairs in January 1865.

Within a month, the Shenandoah was back on the loose, wreaking havoc in the waters around Alaska. The Rebel ship captured 32 additional Union vessels, most of which were burned. The damage was estimated at $1.6 million, a staggering figure in such a short period of time. Although the crew heard rumors that the Confederate armies had surrendered, Waddell continued to fight. He finally accepted an English captain's report on August 2, 1865. The Shenandoah pulled off another remarkable feat by sailing from the northern Pacific all the way to Liverpool, England, without stopping at any ports. Arriving on November 6, Waddell surrendered his ship to British officials.

References:

The Civil War Day by Day, Philip Katcher.
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865, by E. B. Long with Barbara Long.
The Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War Per the Official Records of the War of Rebellion, by Ronald A Mosocco.
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/battles_trans.htm  
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do
http://www.on-this-day.com/cgi-bin/otd/uscivilwarotd/uscivilwarotd.pl