10 Events that led to Lee's surrender

John Brown and the raid on Harper's Ferry

Oct 2, 1859

John Brown tries, unsuccessfully, to incite a slave rebellion. His actions further polarized Southern and Northerners sentiment.

Capture of Yorktown

Apr 12, 1861

First success of Union Army under McClellan

Merrimac v. Monitor

Mar 9, 1862

First major naval battle between North and South

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Fought to a draw. A stepping stone toward Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

One of the bloodiest battles of the war. Union victory. A turning point of the war. The furthest north that the Southern Army advanced.

Shermans March

Period: Sep 2, 1864 to Apr 2, 1865

Confederate Capital evacuated.

Lee surrenders to Grant

Apr 9, 1865

at Appomatox Courthouse, thus ending the Civil War.