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Lincoln's Inauguration
On March 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln went to the Capitol. He would become the president of the United States. -
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Years
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Fort Sumter
The Confederates were upset that Major Robert Anderson had his troops in Fort Sumter. On April 11, 1861, the Confederates attacked the Union troops, but the troops didn’t fight back until 2 hours later. That was when the Civil War first began. -
Bull Run (First Manassas)
Abraham Lincoln sent his troops to fight against the Confederate Army in Virginia because his plan was to defeat the army so he could end the war quickly, but the troops lost against the Confederates. This was the first Major Battle. Some call it the battle of Bull Run and others call it First Manassas. -
Monitor vs Merrimac (Battle of Hampton Roads)
There were two American warships. The first one was called the Monitor and it was controlled by the Union. The second one was called the Merrimac, which was controlled by the Confederates. The Merrimac was renamed the Virginia. Both ships attacked one another near New York in the Hampton Roads. The Virginia sank, so the Monitor won. -
Antietam
Hooker's troops attacked Lee's troops which began the Battle of Antietam. The Union had a numerical advantage, but Stonewall Jackson’s forces held their ground. They didn’t surrender. Since many of the soldiers were injured, the Union attended their men, but the Confederates did not. Lee’s army was defeated because their army was not complete since their wounds were not attended. That was the victory that Abraham Lincoln needed before delivering the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Fredericksburg
General Burnside was in command of the Army of the Potomac. He sent people near Fredericksburg. Lee found out, so he spread out his army behind the town. The Union tried to fight against the Confederates, but the Confederates beat them. Several Generals were killed from both the Union and the Confederates. Burnside called off the Union and returned ending the campaign. Burnside tried to attack the Confederates again, but they failed. That was known as the “Mud March.” -
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln presented a document that granted freedom to slaves in most states issued after the battle of Antietam. This was made to end slavery after a Union victory. They had to fight to end slavery because the Southern states were trying to become independant, and they thought they didn't need to listen to Abraham Lincoln. -
Vicksburg
The Union’s army, lead by Grant, entered and trapped the Confederate army that was lead by Pemberton. On July 4, Pemberton's troops surrendered. Now, the Confederates were split in half. It boosted up Grant’s reputation. -
Gettysburg
This was fought between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of Potomac. It was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War which was turned into the Union favor. It took place in Gettysburg. People were killing each other for what they each thought were the right reasons. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
General Sherman had set his sight on Atlanta. The Confederates tried to slow down Sherman’s army. Sherman gained control of all the railroad lines funneling food and supplies to the city. This convinced John Hood that there was no hope for the South. Sherman got whatever he needed on his way to Columbia. He burned Columbia and then moved towards North Carolina. The Confederates realized that soon Petersburg would fall and so would all of the South’s final hopes. -
Petersburg
Grant wanted to enter Petersburg during the night, but some confederates interfered with that plan. After dark, Lee ordered the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. This was exactly what Grant wanted. Capturing Petersburg, would lead to the fall of Richmond. -
Lincoln Reelection
Many thought that it would be unlikely for Lincoln to be reelected. When the votes were counted, Lincoln had won 55% of the votes compared to McClellan's 21%. -
Fall of Richmond
In Virginia, the Union attacked Richmond by both water and land. They attacked from the river, and they set the city on fire leaving it in ruins. -
Appomattox Courthouse
Lee tried to reach his supplies at Lynchburg, but the Union caught him. His army was surrounded on three sides. Lee surrendered to the Union. -
Lincoln Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was shot by a man named John Wilkes Booth at the Ford Theatre in Washington D.C. because he was a confederate and felt as if the South was going to lose unless something drastic happened. He was the first president to be assassinated. He died on April 15, 1865.
