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Civil War Timeline
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Senator Davis Speaks for Slavery
Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis presents resolutions as to why slavery should be allowed in the territories and reasons as to why the nation should protect slaveholders. -
Cooper Union Address
Lincoln gives the Cooper Union Address, in which he spoke about the Federal Government banning slavery in new territories. This was Lincoln's most influential speech and many people believe it won him the presidency. -
The Pony Express
The Pony Express begins in Saint Louis, Missouri and ends in Sacremento, California. It had 119 stations that were each 12 miles apart. They made it possible for more letters to be delivered in a more timely manner. -
Constitutional Union Party
The former members of the American and Whig parties meet in Baltimore and form the Constitutional Union Party, They elect John Bell to be their candidate for president and Edward Everett as candidate for vice president. -
Bedell Writes to Lincoln
Grace Bedell, an 11 year old girl, writes Lincoln. In her letter she tells him that a beard would make his face look better because it is so thin. Lincoln immediatly decides to let his whiskers grow out. -
Lincoln is Elected
Lincoln is elected the 16th president. This is a major win for the North because he is going to abolish slavery. -
Southern Secession
Seven senators and twenty-three representatives issue a manifesto urging southern secession. It also recommends forming a Souther Confederacy. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union as a direct result of Lincoln becoming president. The south did not want their way of life changed and they knew that Lincoln would abolish slavery. -
South Carolina Congressmen Resigns
The South Carolina Congressmen resign due to secession. However, their names remain on the roll because the Union still does not agknowledge secession. -
Declaration of the Immediate Causes
South Carolina issues their "Declaration of the Immediate Causes." Which Induce and Justify the Seccession of South Carolina from the Federal Union". -
Confederate States are Formed
The Confederate States of America is formed with Jefferson Davis, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer, as president. -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes President
Lincoln is officially sworn in as the 16th President of the United States -
Shots Fired at Fort Sumter
At 4:30 AM, confederates under Gen. Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. -
Lincoln Prepares
President Lincoln issues a Proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen, and summoning a special session of Congress for July 4. -
Virginia secedes the union
Virginia secedes from the Union, followed within five weeks by Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, forming an eleven state Confederacy with a population of 9 million, including nearly 4 million slaves. -
Blockade Against Southern Ports
President Abraham Lincoln issues a Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports. -
Robert E. Lee Resigns
Robert E. Lee resigns his commission in the United States army. "I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." -
Bull Run
The Union Army under Gen. Irvin McDowell suffers a defeat at Bull Run 25 miles west of Washington -
Lincoln Replaces McDowell
President Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan as Commander of the Department of the Potomac, replacing McDowell. -
Lincoln's Speech
Lincoln, in a speech to Congress, states the war is..."a People's contest...a struggle for maintaining in the world, that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate the condition of men..." The Congress authorizes a call for 500,000 men. -
Lincoln Advances
President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1 calling for all United States naval and land forces to begin a general advance by February 22. -
Victory for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant
Victory for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in Tennessee, capturing Fort Henry, and ten days later Fort Donelson. Grant earns the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. -
Confederates Surprise Attack on Shiloh
Confederate surprise attack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared troops at Shiloh on the Tennessee River results in a bitter struggle with 13,000 Union killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates, more men than in all previous American wars combined. -
Union Ships Advance
17 Union ships under the command of Flag Officer David Farragut move up the Mississippi River then take New Orleans, the South's greatest seaport. -
The Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army attacks McClellan's troops in front of Richmond and almost defeats them. -
The Seven Days Battle
The Seven Days Battles as Lee attacks McClellan near Richmond, resulting in very heavy losses for both armies. McClellan then begins a withdrawal back toward Washington. Young Georgia Private Edwin Jennison was killed in the Seven Days Battles at Malvern Hill. -
Second Battle of the Bull Run
75,000 Federals under Gen. John Pope are defeated by 55,000 Confederates under Gen. Once again the Union Army retreats to Washington. -
Bloodiest Day in U.S. Military History
Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland by McClellan and numerically superior Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. Lee then withdraws to Virginia. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves. -
The Army of Potomac Takes a Loss
Army of the Potomac under Gen. Burnside suffers a defeat at Fredericksburg in Virginia with a loss of 12,653 men -
The Final Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves Confederates territories and emphasizes the enlisting of black soldiers in the Union Army. -
New Draft Rules
The U.S. Congress enacts a draft, affecting male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exempts those who pay $300 or provide a substitute. -
Battle at Chancellorsville
The Union Army under Gen. Hooker is decisively defeated by Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia. Union losses are 17,000 killed, wounded and missing out of 130,000. The Confederates, 13, 000 out of 60,000. -
Souths Seconds Invasion
Gen. Lee with 75,000 Confederates launches his second invasion of the North, heading into Pennsylvania. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The South is defeated at the battle of Gettysburg. -
Confederates Split In Two
Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, surrenders to Gen. Grant and the Army of the West after a six week pause. With the Union now in control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy is effectively split in two, cut off from its western allies. -
Draft Riots Get Out Of Control
Anti-draft riots in New York City include arson and the murder of blacks by poor immigrant whites. At least 120 persons, including children, are killed and $2 million in damage caused -
Tragedy Strikes Lawrence, Kansas
At Lawrence, Kansas, Confederate William C. Quantrill and 450 pro-slavery followers raid the town and butcher 182 boys and men. -
Confederate Victory at Chickamauga
A Confederate victory by Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee at Chickamauga leaves the Union Army of the Cumberland trapped in Chattanooga. -
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers a two minute Gettysburg Address at a ceremony dedicating the Battlefield as a National Cemetery. -
Grant Advances Towards Lee
In Virginia, Grant with an Army of 120,000 advances toward Richmond to Lee's Army of 64,000, beginning a war -
Cold Harbor Tragedy
A big mistake by Grant results in 7,000 Union deaths in twenty minutes during an attack for Rebels at Cold Harbor in Virginia. -
The Union "Dictator"
The Union misses an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off the Confederate rail lines. As a result, a nine month blockade of Petersburg begins.The 13-inch Union mortar "Dictator" mounted on a railroad flatcar at Petersburg. -
Gen. John B. Hood Takes Over
At Atlanta, Sherman's forces battle the Rebels now under the command of Gen. John B. Hood, who replaced Johnston. -
George B. McClellan is Elected
Democrats nominate George B. McClellan for president to run against Republican and former president, Abraham Lincoln. -
Union Victory in Shenandoah
A Union victory by Cavalry Gen. Philip H. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley over Jubal troops. -
Lincoln Re-Elected
Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president, defeating George B. McClellan. Lincoln carries all except three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes. -
The Beginning of Sherman's March to the Sea
After destroying Atlanta's warehouses and railroad facilities, Sherman, with 62,000 men begins a March to the Sea. -
Federals Crush The Rebels
Rebel Army of 23,000 is defeated at Nashville by 55,000 Federals including Negro troops under Gen. George H. Thomas. -
The End of Sherman's March To The Sea
Sherman reaches Savannah in Georgia leaving a 300 mile long path of destruction 60 miles wide all the way from Atlanta. -
13th Amendment Approved
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery. The amendment is then submitted to the states for ratification. -
Peace Conference
A peace conference occurs as President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at Hampton Roads in Virginia, but the meeting ends in failure, the war will continue. -
Petersburg Attack
The last offensive for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia begins with an attack on the center of Grant's forces at Petersburg. -
Richmond and Petersburg Evactuated
Grant's forces break through Lee's lines at Petersburg. Lee evacuates Petersburg. The Confederate Capital, Richmond, is evacuated. -
Lee Surrenders
Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. -
Washington Celebrates
All over Washington, celebrations break out due to Lee's surrender -
Lincoln is Shot
At Ford's Theater, at 10:13 PM, during the third act of the play, President Lincoln gets shot in the head. He dies at 7:22 AM -
Lincoln's Shooter is Killed
John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia. -
Confederates Surrender
Remaining Confederate forces surrender. The Nation is reunited as the Civil War ends. Over 620,000 Americans died in the war and 50,000 survivors return home as amputees. -
Slavery Officially Abolished
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, is finally ratified. Slavery is abolished. -
The Liberator
The last issue of the Liberator is published. The newspaper has now becomes unnecessary because the slaves have been freed. -
Jesse James
A bank robbery takes place in Liberty, Missouri. This was carried out by Jesse James and his gang, although no one is quite sure where Jesse James fits into this event. -
ASPCA
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is founded in New York by Henry Bergh. -
The Nickel
Congress approves the minting of a five cent piece, know as the nickel. This eliminates the half dime. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment is ratified, giving civil rights to all freed African Americans -
Tennessee in the Union
Tennessee becomes the first state to be readmitted into the union -
General of the Army
Congress passes the legislation making General of the Army a rank. Ulysses S. Grant is the first to hold that title. -
Atlantic Cable
The Atlantic Cable is established allowing transatlantic telegraph communication for the first time. -
Train Robbery
The first train robbery takes place. The Reno brothers get away with $13,000. -
Jesse and Gang
Jesse James and his gang robs a bank in Lexington, Missouri. They get away with $2,000. -
The Right to Vote
African American males are given the right to vote in Washington D.C. Congress over came President Johnson's veto to give the African Americans this right. -
First Reconstruction Act
The first reconstruction act sets up five military districts in the South, each under the control of a military commander. The Army Appropriations Act is passed, lessening Johnsons' control on the army. The final act passed is The Tenure Office Act which states that Johnson cannot remove cabinet members without the Senate's consent. -
Savannah Bank Robbery
Jesse James robs a bank in Savannah,Missouri. The attempt failed with one casualty. -
Ride Ins
African Americans stage a ride on streetcars in New Orleans to protest segregation. -
Purchase of Alaska
President Andrew Johnson announces the purchase of Alaska. This would be the second to last state added to the United States of America. -
Third Reconstruction Act
Johnson vetoes the third reconstruction act which spells out election procedures in the South and reasserts congressional control over the Reconstruction. Congress overrides Johnsons' veto, -
Johnston Suspends Stanton
Johnson suspends Stanton as Secretary of War after the two clash over reconstruction plans. Johnson places Ulysses S. Grant in the position. -
Alaska is Formally Acquired
The United States officially takes possesion of Alaska from Russia. $7.2 million is paid for it. -
Impeachment
Congress looks into impeaching Johnson for his lack of effectiveness and unwillingness to follow through with reconstruction. -
Grange
Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry. Today this order is known as the farmers organization Grange.
