Civil War Annotated Timeline

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

This battle took place in South Carolina and was the first battle of the Civil War. The Confederacy led by Pierre Beauregard defeated the Union led by Robert Anderson. This three day battle ended on April 14, 1861.

Battle of Bull Run (1)

Jul 21, 1861

This battle took place in Virgina. The Confederacy led by Pierre Beauregard defeated the Union. Leading the Union was Irvin McDowell. This led to the Confederacy to reorganize.

Battle of Hampton Roads

Mar 8, 1862

This battle took place in Virginia. John Worden led the Union in a victory against the Confederacy, commanded by Franklin Buchanan. This two day battle ended on March 9, 1862 and was the most important naval battle during the Civil War.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

This battle took place in Tennessee. Ulysses S. Grant led the Union to victory against Pierre Beauregard who took Albert S. Johnston's spot as commander of the Confederacy after he died in battle. The Union took control of the Tennessee River after the two day battle that ended on April 7, 1861.

Battle of Bull Run (2)

Aug 29, 1862

This battle took place in Virginia. The Confederacy led by Robert E. Lee defeated the Union led by McClellan in a two day battle that ended on August 30, 1862.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

This battle took place in Maryland. This battle was considered a military draw because they had about the same number of deaths and damage on both sides, and no one really gained anything from this battle. The Union was led by McClellan and the Confederacy was led by Robert E. Lee. It was the bloodiest day in our nations history.

Battle of Fredricksburg

Dec 13, 1862

This battle took place in Virginia. The Confderacy led by Robert E. Lee defeated the Union army led by Burnside. It was important because they stopped the Union from advancing.

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

The Emancipation Proclamation stated that all Slaves in the Confederate states are freed. Lincoln proposed this but couldn't free the slaves in the border line states because he couldn't do it under the Constitution.

Siege of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

This siege took place in Mississippi. The Union led by Ulysses Grant defeated the Confederacy led by Pemberton. This long siege ended on July 4, 1863. The Union took control of the Confederacy's last stronghold in Mississippi.

Battle of Chancellorsville

May 24, 1863

This battle took place in Virginia. Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy defeated Hooker leading the Union. This was known as Robert E. Lee's perfect battle.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

This battle took place in Pennsylvania. The Union led by George Mead defeated the Confederacy commanded by Robert E. Lee. The Confederacy suffered many deaths during this battle. This three day battle ended on July 3, 1863.

Siege of Atlanta

Jul 16, 1864

This battle took place in Georgia. The Union led by Sherman defeated the Confederacy led by Hood. The Union captured the heart of the South in the long siege that ended on September 2, 1864.

Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 9, 1865

General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant after realizing his defeat. This ended the bloodiest war in our nation's history.

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Apr 14, 1865

On that fateful night John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincol in the back of the head at Fords Theater and jumped off the balcony where he broke his fibula and escaped. John Wilkes Booth was later found and arrested.

Ratification of the 13th Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

The ratification of the 13th amendment freed all slaves and said that every race in America are free. It was passed through Congress on January 31, 1865, but not ratified by the states untill December 6, 1865.