This Day in the Civil War  Thursday May 9 1861  In the initial
wave of martial enthusiasm that swept both North and South,
volunteers were enlisted in great numbers, but for very short
terms. It was assumed that very few battles would be needed to
either quash the rebellion or ensure Confederate independence
(depending on your viewpoint and preference). Wiser heads began
to prevail, and today President Davis quietly signed a measure
providing that all future enlistments would be “for the duration
of the war” rather than a prescribed period of time.  Friday May
9 1862  The Confederacy was forced today to abandon the defense
of Norfolk, Va., including the navy base there and the navy and
army supply depots. Although there was no battle, the loss of
the Norfolk yards was a heavy blow to the South. It was not only
essential for the defense of southern Virginia and North
Carolina, it was the home port of the pioneering ironclad CSS
Merrimack. Retreating forces attempted to destroy what they
could not carry, but mu