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South Carolia secedes on Dec 20, 1860. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisianna and Texas follow to form the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis is elected president.
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The war begins when confederates fire on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861.
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The Union's ironclad ship, the Monitor and the Confederate's ironclad shop, the Merrimack duel at Hampton roads. The battle was inconclusive in the end
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President Lincoln removes General George McClellan from head commander of the Union army. McClellan remained in command of the Potomac army.
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The Union army under the command of McClellan halts the Confederate attack on Washington in the Battle of Antietam.
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Ulysses S. Grant is named the commander of the Union army in early March of 1864.
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General Robert E. Lee (Confederate commander) surrenders to general Ulysess S. Grant (Union commander) at Appomattox.