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Secession of South Carolina
After the election of Republican President Abraham Lincoln in 1860, South Carolina severed itself from the Union. Fearing that, “Our enemies are about to take pocession of the government,” a vote for secession was taken place, with unanimous support from the state convention. -
The Secession Crisis
After the initial collapse of the Union, other Southern States quickly followed suit. While many States seceded early after, other Southern States such as Tennessee and Virginia attempted to make a comprimise with the North. However, after Lincoln vowed to prevent the expansion of slavery and strengthened the military, both states joined the Confederacy. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
In 1861, President Lincoln began to strengthen the military and reinforce Union forts in the South. One of these forts was Fort Sumter, located off the coast of South Carolina. After an unarmed supply ship was dispatched by the Union, the Confederacy bombarded and seized the fort. This victory for the Confederacy signifies the beginning of the American Civil War. -
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The American Civil War
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Battle of Bull Run
At the beginning of the conflict, the Union and the Northern people all believed they would destroy the Confederacy with a quick capture of the capital, Richmond. In July of 1861, General McDowell and General Beauregard’s armies met at Bull Run with Northern spectators watching to see a “picnic.” The Confederate forces stood strong, and drove the Union force back to Washington with a “rebel yell.” The Confederacy had demonstrated their strength and defeated the underestimating Union. -
Battle of Antietam
The single bloodiest day in US military history with 4,800 casualties from both sides. Even though General Lee’s army was outnumbered, he held out until Stonewall Jackson’s men reinforced him. The fighting between Lee’s and McClellan’s armies was brutal. Both sides losses were high, but it was Lincoln who claimed victory, even though McClellan had let Lee retreat to Virginia. McClellan was dismissed, and Lincoln was left worried about the possibility of a long and hard war ahead. -
Fall of the Mississippi
While the Union struggled in the east, Grant and his forces out West defeated the Confederates again and again along the Mississippi. With a victory at Shiloh, the capture of New Orleans, and finally the surrender of Vicksburg, Grant successfully won the Mississippi for the Union. This cut off multiple states from the Confederacy, and allowed Union forces to begin to advance into the Deep South from the West. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg occurred when Lee pushed his men into the North. The Union forces stayed between Lee and D.C. until they met in Gettysburg. For three days, Lee tried to defeat the Union, even managing to push them out of the city. But his fewer numbers and lack of reinforcements forced him to retreat back to the South. While this battle was brutal for both sides, it sparked a turning point in the war. From this point forward, the North began to inch closer to victory. -
General Sherman’s March
When the Union gained the Mississippi, they could have a better opportunity to attack the Deep South from the Western side. General Sherman did just that. He not only engaged the Confederate armies, but also used a “scorched earth” policy, destroying anything beneficial to the South on his march to the sea. When he reached the Atlantic Ocean, he turned North, continuing his path of destruction on his way to reinforce Grant in Virginia. -
Grant Appointed as Commander
Throughout the entire war, Generals had failed and frustrated Lincoln. They had lacked what he needed to win the war. So when Lincoln saw Grant dominate the Confederacy in the West, he appointed him as General of the Armies, the highest position in the U.S. military. The position had only ever been held before by George Washington. Grant took this position and proved he could get the job done by wearing down the Confederacy and ultimately winning the war. -
Confederate Surrender
In the spring of 1865, General Lee and his men were put under siege at Richmond. Under the relentless attacks by General Grant, they were defeated and the Union took the city. Lee retreated, hoping to join with another Confederate force and continue the war, but Grant pressed on until Lee realized there was nothing that could be done. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, bringing about the technical end of the Civil War almost 4 years after the fighting started.