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Lincoln is elected
A new era of Republican leadership in Washington begins when Abraham Lincoln is elected President. With a divided Democratic party, Lincoln's unity in the Republican party proves victorious. -
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Civil War Events Before 1863
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First state leaves the Union
When Lincoln became President, Southerners felt they weren't being treated fairly. South Carolina became the 1st state to seceed from the Union and form its own government. The government became known as the Confederate States of America. -
Confederacy is formed
Delegates from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana met in Montgomery, Alabama to form the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederacy. -
Confederate Capitol Formed
As 4 more states left the Union, the Confederacy had 11 member states. The capitol of the CSA was moved to Richmond, Virginia, and major military, political, and economical decisions began to take place within the CSA. -
Fort Sumter Attacked
The fort stationed in South Carolina was given reinforcement supplies by President Lincoln. Because the fort belonged to the North, the South took the reinforcements as a confrontation. With that attitude, the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter. -
First Battle of Bull Run
General Irvin McDowell attacked the Confederate troops stationed at Manassas Junction, Virginia. Initially, he was successful until the Confederates brought reinforcements. The blow was ultimately a big shock to Washington and brought a greater attention to the Civil War. -
General George B. McClellan rises up in rank
Lincoln made the 1st of several changes of commanders of the Union army by appointing McClellan. General McClellan was good at organization and training of the Union troops. He lead the Union until March 1862. -
The Peninsular Campaign
This failed attempt to capture Richmond was a result of the incoporation of Confederate reinforcements after an initial defeat. The Union was not able to achieve its hopeful stifling of the Confederacy so the Union army was taken aback and General Lee was able to fortify the Confederate forts. -
Emancipation Proclamation delivered
On New Years Day. President Lincoln gave his famous proclamation of the freedom of slaves. The speech was the moral shifter of the Union's goal in fighting the war, but it did little to actually emancipate the slaves. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. President Lincoln marked this site as a national (Union and Confederacy) mourning site and gave his famous Gettysburg Address. -
General Grant becomes Commander of the US army
President Lincoln appointed General Ulysses S. Grant to become commander of the US army. Grant would eventually lead the Union to victory in the Civil War. Grant later become President. -
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Civil War Events After 1863
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Sherman captures Atlanta
Sherman commanded the Union army and attacked Atlanta. He completely destroyed the city and left the Confederates hopeless. -
Lincoln Reelected
Lincoln was reelected President and the Republican ruling of the Union continued. By retaining its leader, the Union was able to push its way to victory. -
Robert E. Lee
General Robert E. Lee becomes commander of the Confederate Army. Lee was a prominent leader, great military figure, and the best chance the Confederacy had to win. Soon after however, Lee joined General Grant to talk surrendering. -
Union captures Columbia, Charleston, South Carolina
In the capture of Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, the Union began it's cutting off of the Confederacy. President Lincoln wanted Union troops to cut off the CSA right down the middle. By capturing these cities, the Union army began to do that and provided a spark fro the defeat of the Confederacy a few months later. -
Free Slaves
The Confederacy initiated the requirement to slaves saying they could be free if they fought in the war. This was a huge step towards eventual emancipation. It was really used because the Confederacy needed more men to fight in the war. -
Lee Surrenders
General Lee surrenders to the Union army at the Appomattox Court House. Union soldiers practically surrounded Richmond and thus forced General Lee to surrender. This ended the Civil War. -
Lincoln Assassinated
President Lincoln was shot and killed by John Wilks Booth in Ford's Theater. VP Andrew Johnson became President. -
Battle of the Wilderness
Generals Grant and Lee took part in a series of bloody battles over the course of several days. These battles proved to be brutal. Both sides lost numerous men, and the Civil War had begun to define itself as a war that would be costly to both sides. -
Jefferson davis Captured
Jefferson Davis is captured and President Johnson declares the fighting between the two sides is officially over. The lone president of the CSA is captured. Shortly after, President Johnson developed his reconstruction plan for allowing the confederate states back in the Union.