20 Civil War Events

Lincoln Elected

Sep 6, 1860

Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as President of the United States.

South Carolina Secedes

Oct 20, 1860

South Carolina became the first southern state to secede from the Union. This ushers in a wave of secession that ultimately culminate in the creation of the Confederacy.

Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The Confederate general Thomas Jonathan Jackson earns his nickname, Stonewall Jackson.

Surrender of Fort Donelson

Feb 16, 1862

General Ulysses S. Grant earns his nickname: Unconditional Surrender after his first major victory.

First Ironclad Battle

Mar 9, 1862

The first ever modern naval battle occurs between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia.

Confederate Inauguration

Mar 22, 1862

Jefferson Davis is sworn in as President of the Confederate States of America.

First Battle of Winchester

May 25, 1862

General Stonewall Jackson drives Union forces from Winchester, completing his 1862 Valley Campaign.

7 Days' Battles

Jun 1, 1862

General Robert E. Lee attacks McClellan's Army of the Potomac in a series of inconclusive battles.

The Emancipation Proclomation

Jan 1, 1863

President Lincoln issues a proclamation freeing all Southern slaves, but not Northern ones. A major step forward in ending slavery in the US.

Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia

May 4, 1863

Lee wins his greatest victory but it is dampened by the mortal wounding and later the death of Stonewall Jackson.

Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Jun 3, 1863

This battle concludes with crushing Lee's hopes of a successful invasion of the North and ends the South's hopes of ever invading the North again.

Siege of Vicksburg

Jun 18, 1863

The siege of Vicksburg ends in a Union victory after general Ulysses Grant takes the city and thereby cuts the Confederacy in two.

Battle for Chattanooga

Nov 25, 1863

Union forces break a siege and released their surrounded army which sends the Confederate Army south into Georgia.

Proclomation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

Dec 8, 1863

President Lincoln makes a speech promising a pardon for those who are taking part in the rebellion.

Capture of Meridian

Feb 14, 1864

The Union captures Meridian Mississippi, William T. Sherman leads the attack and this severely hampers supply and distribution for the Southern armies.

Ulysses Grant Appointment to Lieutenant-General

Mar 2, 1864

Ulysses S. Grant is appointed to be Lieutenant-General of the Union, and therefore has command over all Union armies.

Atlanta Campaign

May 7, 1864

General Sherman begins his advance into Georgia to take Atlanta and then march to Savannah.

Battle of the Crater

Jul 30, 1864

This was a massive explosion that opened the Confederate lines but due to poor coordination one of the best opportunities of the war was missed.

Sherman Completes his March

Dec 10, 1864

General Sherman arrives in Savannah and takes Fort McAllister, severing the Carolinas from the rest of the Confederacy.

Fall of Richmond

Apr 2, 1865

General Lee retreats from the Confederate capital of Richmond, taken by Union troops. He would formally surrender one week later, beginning the peace negotiations.