April 1861:
With the firing on Ft. Sumter and its surrender, Lincoln issues a call of 75,000 volunteers to surpress the rebellion. Likewise, President Breckinridge increases his original call of 50,000 men to 100,000 men.
Late April-Early May 1861:
Angered by Lincoln's call for 75,000 men to raise against their sister states, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and last but not least, Virginia leave the union and join the Confederacy. The border states of Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland remain in the north. Kentucky will latter proclaim neutrality.
May 1861:
Men on the north and south flock to the recruiting stations. In fact, so many men try to enlist in the north that recruiting stations have to close shop because they can't take any more. This will not be a problem latter on in the war. By mid May somewhere between 50-100,000 men have voluntered for the norht and some 45-75,000 men have volunteered for the south. The main problem facing both Lincoln and Breckinridge is that many of these men are scatted across their respective countries. Meanwhile, after careful consideration, Breckinridge decides to move the capital to Atlanta, GA.