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The secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of six more states -- Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas -- and the threat of secession by four more -- Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America.
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Lincoln said he had no plans to end slavery in those states where it already existed, but he also said he would not accept secession.
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Civil War began with shots fired on the fort. Fort Sumter eventually was surrendered to South Carolina.
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In the first naval engagement between ironclad ships, the Monitor fought the Virginia to a draw, but not before the Virginia had sunk two wooden Union warships off Norfolk, Virginia.
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Declaring that all slaves in areas still in rebellion were, in the eyes of the federal government, free.
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Sherman stormed Fort McAllister on and captured Savannah itself eight days later.
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President Lincoln was watching a performance of "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C., he was shot by John Wilkes Booth.
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General Lee and General Grant met at Appomattox Courthouse, and agreed on the terms of surrender.