Civil War Timeline

Confederate States of America is Formed

Nov 5, 1860

The 7 states met in Montgomery Alabama to create the CSA, which later on turns into 11 states. Presdient is Jefferson Davis of Mississippi.

Election of Lincoln

Nov 6, 1860

Republican Abraham Lincoln is elected, and this stirs up even more contraversy over the already disputed issue of slavery as he is a republican, which implies anti slavery

South Carolina Secedes

Dec 20, 1860

South carolina is the first of many to secede, followed by texas, and florida, and a total of 7 states.

Lincoln is sworn in

Apr 4, 1861

Fort Sumter

Apr 20, 1861

Goverment property in seceeded states, south attacked, and union did not fight back only defend. South captured.

Robert E Lee Resigns

Apr 20, 1861

Unable to fight against his home, he rejects the offer to fight for the union, and instead commands the navy for virgina and the confederates

Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

Union is defeated at bull run ( south of washington). And the union run back to washington once again.

Trent Incident

Nov 1, 1861

Two confederate soldiers on a british vessel (trent) were stopped by union navy in the caribbean, as they were on their way to europe for support. Britain objected this, but because neither sides wanted more war, things just sizzled out.

Merrimac

Mar 8, 1862

Confederate ship sinks two wooden union ships. Changes warfare forever, causes union to start building ironclad ships also, which boosts their chances for winning the war.

Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

Confederate surprise attack on unprepared union troops at shiloh ( on tennessee river). Heavy losses on both sides.

Seven Days Battle

Jun 25, 1862

Near richmond virginia Confederates led by Robert E Lee, and Union led by George B McClellan . Confederates won again, and the army of potomac retreated to washington.

Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Confederate armies stopped at Antietam, Maryland, 26 000 mean are dead and confederates withdraws

Emancipation Proclamation

Sep 22, 1862

Ordered by Abraham Lincoln, freed all slaves in the southering states except those bordering the union. This was no use as the news never reached the slaves.

Assuming Command

Nov 7, 1862

McClellan is replaced with Ambros E Burnside, because of McClellan's incompetence of reaction time (antietam followup)

Fredericksburg

Dec 13, 1862

Union suffers defeat in virginia, with 12 653 union losses, and a mere 5 309 for the confederates

Final Emancipation

Jan 1, 1863

All slaves are freed in hopes for enlistment of black soldiers. The war becomes more and more about the abolition of slavery.

Joseph Hooker

Jan 25, 1863

Joseph Hooker replaces Burnside

Drafting

Mar 3, 1863

Affects all male citizens, except those who pay $300, which is unfair as "the blood of a poorman has the same worth of that of a wealthy one"

Battle of Chancellorsville, death of a general

May 1, 1863

Union army defeated by small confederate forces in virgina, because of lee's tactics. Confederate general Stonewall Jackson is wounded mortally. Heavy losses on both sides. Jackson dies 6 days later

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

General E lee, lead invasion into the north. Largest battle ever fought in North America, 160 000 soldiers. Went on for 3 days, Lee launced assault, aka picketts charge, and fewer than half returned, and Lee a third of his total war force. The union winning now had control over the entire mississipi

Gettysburg Adress

Nov 19, 1863

President delievers a 2 minute speech on gettysburg battle ground, dedicating it to the dead soldiers.

Chattangooga

Nov 23, 1863

The confederate take over at Chattanooga ends, as union forces under grant earn deeat of confederate forces under Braxton Bragg.

Cold Harbor

Jun 3, 1864

Mistake by Grant results in 7000 deaths at Cold Harbor Virginia. Soldiers knew of prevailing faith.

McClellan Runs

Aug 29, 1864

George B Mclellan attempts to run against Abraham Lincoln.

March to the Sea

Nov 15, 1864

After destruction of Atlanta warehouses and railroads, sherman begins the march to the sea.

Lincolns Second Inaugural Address

Mar 4, 1865

Taking an oath for the second time, he did not point fingers for the war, instead about an entire nations responsibility.

Lee Surrenders

Apr 9, 1865

General Robert E Lee surrenders to Ulysses S Grant at Appomattox Court house virginia. Grant allows soldiers to keep horses and mules out of respect to lee.

Presidential Assasination

Apr 14, 1865

President lincoln is shot at ford's theatre by John Wilkes Booth in hopes for avengence for southern loss.

John Wilkes Booth is killed

Apr 26, 1865

After being pursued, John Wilkes Booth is killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia.

Thirteenth Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

The Thirteenth Amendment is ratified and passed by congress. Slavery is abolished.