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Period: to
The Civil War
Major key events during the American Civil War. -
Attack on Ft. Sumter
Lincoln decides to supply Ft. Sumter, but wants the South to fire the first shot. -
Bull Run (Manassas), 1st battle
Gen. McDowell leads 30,000 men against Gen Johnston's 22,000 Southen toops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go "On to Richmond." South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray. McDowell replaced by Gen. McClellan. -
Ft. Henry & Ft. Donelson
Gen. Grant captures two forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Confederates forced out of Kentucky and yield much of Tennessee -
Shiloh ( Pittsburgh Landing)
Grant overcomes Southen forces with heavy losses for each side: 13,000 Union casualites, 11,000 for South -
Monitor Vs. Merrimack
First ironclad battle in history ends in a draw as the Merrimack withdraws after daylong exchange of fire. Union blockade of South is maintained. -
New Orleans
Farragut seizes New Orleans for Union after boldy attacking Southern positon. 11 Southern ships sunk -
Start of Peninsular Campaign (Yorktown, Seven Days Battle, Fair Oaks)
After continual prodding by Lincoln, McClellan decides to attack Richmond via the South, He moves his arge army down the Potomac, marches on Richmond, and then assumes a defenisve position rater than pushing for voictory. Gen. Lee takes command of Southern troops. -
End of Peninsular Campaign
After continual prodding by Lincoln, McClellan decides to attack Richmond via the South. He moves his large army down the Potomac, marches on Richmond, and then assumes a defensive position rather than pushing for victory. Gen. Lee takes command of Southern troops. -
Bull Run (Manassas) 2nd battle
McClellan replaced by Gen. Pope. Lee and Gen. Stonewall Jackson defeat Union troops again at Manassas and Pope is replaced by McClellan -
Antietam
Heavily outnumbered, Lee's troops face McClellan in bloody fighting. Over 23,000 casualties (more than all previous American wars combined). Lee retreats to Virginia -
Emancipation Proclamation
With victory at Antietam, Lincoln announces that on 1/1/63, all slaves in the rebelling states would be free. Does not affect border states. Forces European nations to recognize that choosing sides in the Civil War is to take a stand on slavery