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Lincoln Elected
Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States -
South Caroline Secedes
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the United States of America. -
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States Secede
Mississippi (January 9), Florida (January 10), Alabama (January 11), Georgia (January 19), Louisiana (January 26), and Texas (February 1) secede over a months time. -
Confederate States of America Formed
The Confederate States of America are formed with Jefferson Davis as president. -
Fort Sumter Attacked
Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina is attacked by Confederate troops. This marks the start of the Civil War. -
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Final States Secede
Virginia (April 17), Arkansas (May 6), North Carolina (May 20), and Tennessee (June 8) leave the Union to align with the Confederate States of America. -
Blockade Against Southern Ports
President Lincoln issues a blockade against Southern ports. This limits the South's ability to get supplies for the war effort. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Confederates under the command of Stonewall Jackson defeat the Union in the First Battle of Bull Run. -
Battle of the Merrimac and the Monitor
The ironclad Confederate Merrimac and the Union Monitor battle to a draw. Wooden ships are no longer useful, which changes naval warfare forever. -
Battle of Shlioh
Under the command of Ulysses S. Grant the Union loses to the Confederate troops. 13,000 Union troops and 10,000 Confederate troops are killed or wounded, more than the total number of losses in all previous American wars combined. -
Union takes New Orleans
17 Union ships move up the Mississippi River to take New Orleans, the greatest shipping port in the South. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Confederate Generals Stonewall Jackson and James Longstreet defeat the Union again at Bull Run. -
Battle of Antietam
Described as "the bloodiest day in U.S. military history, the Union stops the Confederates at Antietam. 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia defeats the Union at Fredericksburg in Virginia. Union losses are twice that of Confederate losses. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the Imancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves from the territories held by the Confederacy. He encouraged freed slaves to join the Union army. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Union army is easily defeated by the much smaller Confederate army lead by General Lee. The four day battle showcased Lees advanced military tactics. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is known as the turning point of the Civil War. The three day battle marks the first on Northern soil where the Union defeats Lee's confederate troops. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Union defeats the Confederates to claim the last Southern stronghold on the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Confederates defeat the Union Army of the Cumberland leaving them stranded in Tennessee. -
Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg AddressPresident Lincoln delivers his Gettyburg Address at the dedication ceremony of the National Cemetary in Gettysburg, PA. -
Battle of Chattanooga
The Union avenges their defeat at Chickamauga by defeating Confederate troops at Chattanooga. -
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Coordinated Union Attack
The Union army of 120,00 puts together a planned attack on the Confederate army of 64,000 with the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor. -
Union Captures Atlanta
Atlanta is captured by the Union army under the command of General Sherman. -
Lincoln Reelected
President Lincoln is reelected carrying 55% of the popular vote 212 of the 233 electoral votes. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
General Sherman begins his March to the Sea. His goal is to take Savannah, Georgia, which he does on December 21, 1864. -
13th Amendment Approved
The 13th Amendment, which abolishes slavery, is approved but it must be ratified by the states before it can be passed into law. -
Confederate Capital Captured
The Union army captures the Confederate capital of Richmond after Lee evacuates. -
Lee Surrenders
Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. -
Lincoln Shot
President Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth, who is upset with the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House. He dies the next day on April 15, 1865. -
Confederates Surrender
Confederate Genernal Joseph Johnston surrenders to Union General William Sherman in North Carolina. -
End of the Civil War
President Johnson declares the end of the Civil War with the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. -
13th Amendment Ratified.
Slavery is abolished in the United States of America with the ratification of the 13th Amendment.
