President Lincoln issues an order of amnesty for men absent without leave from the Union Army. They must report by April 1st or they will be considered deserters
The National Museum of American History opens a watch owned by President Abraham Lincoln and discovers a message written by watchmaker Jonathan Dillon dated April 13, 1861 stating "Fort Sumpter was attacked by the rebels. Thank God we have a government."
After withdrawing from New Madrid Confederates control Island No. 10, blocking shipping on the Mississippi. Over 5,000 Confederate soldiers on the island surrender to Major General John Pope on April 8.