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Lincoln's Election
President Abraham Lincoln, elected President in 1860, was the first Republican to win Presidency. Although no ballots were casted for him in 10 of the 15 slave states, his victory was due to the North and West. -
South Carolina's Secetion
Upon Lincoln's election, the South Acted first, calling a secetion to leave the union, and forming a new nation called the Confederate States of America. Four months later, six other states seceded. They were Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. Later Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee joined them. -
Battle of Bull Run
The battle of Bull Run was the first major land battles in Virginia. The Union marched from Washington against the Confederate army, launched seeral assaults on the Confederatess. But the attackers repeatedly were driven back. During this time, general Thomas J. Jackson earned the nickname "Stonewall." -
Battle of Shiloh
40,000 Confederate soldiers poured out nearby woods to strike out Unions troops. The overpowering Confederate offensive drove the unprepared Federal forces from their camps and threatened to overwhelm Ulysses S. Grant’s entire command. The two day battle at Shiloh produced more than 23,000 casualties and was the bloodiest battle in American history at its time. -
Battle of Vicksburg
Throughout May 18- July 4 1863 the battle of Vicksburg took place. Grant's men surrounded VIcksburg and prevented supplies from reaching it. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. This was one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this war took place throughtout July 1-3, 1863. The battle involved the highest number of casualties of the entire Civil American War. The Northern army lost 90,000 men meanwhile Southern army lost 75,000. The battle of Gettysburg was the greatest battle of the war, proving to be the "turning point" of the Civil War. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysbrg Address was was a speech given by President Abraham Lincoln himself, one fine afternoon at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg. -
Sherman's March
From November 15 to December 21, 1864, under Union General William T. Sherman led some 60,000 soldiers on a 285-mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. The purpose of this “March to the Sea” was to frighten Georgia’s civilian population into abandoning the Confederates. -
Lee Surrenders
Lee's army, after the fall of Richmond and Petersburg, had been attempting to escape to the West. As he retreated westward, Lee came to the realization that it was useless to continue the fight. He met with General Grant and surrendered. Confederates in other Southern states surrendered as well. The Civil War was over and the Union was saved. -
Lincoln's Assassination
President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wikes Booth, in a Ford's Theatre, five days after General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War.
