1860

Nov. 6: Abraham Lincoln elected President of the United States.

1861

Feb. 28: Dallas County voters approve secession. Texas leaves the Union, joins the newly-formed Confederate States of America.

April 14: The Civil War begins.

May 6: Breckinridge area residents organize "a company for the protection of our county and homes," called the "Breckenridge Home Guard." The company consists of 60 volunteers, who choose A. A. Thomas as their captain.

1865

April 9: Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General U. S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The Civil War is over.

June 19: Slavery in Texas comes to an end.

December 6: Slavery throughout the entire United States comes to an end with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution..

1867

May 26: A cyclone hits Breckinridge and nearby farms, destroying property and killing or injuring several people.