When was the americian Civil War?

Most people would agree that good dates for the Civil War are April 12, 1861 when Ft Sumter was fired upon to April 9, 1865 when RE Lee surrendered the ANV at Appomattox. Arguments for earlier beginning dates back to 1860 could also be made. Similarly other end dates are also possible, including April 12,1865 when the now General Robert Anderson raised the flag over Ft Sumter exactly 4 years after he was fired upon by PGT Beauregard. Fighting continued after both these dates. On November 6, 1865, the CSS Shenandoah under Captain WadDELL surrendered. This was the last Confederate flag struck by an active military unit.