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Election
There were 4 candidates running: John Bell, Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and John Breckenridge. Lincoln was running for the Republican party and he won. He was a great leader and ended up serving two terms, until he was assassinated. -
South Carolina Secedes
After Lincoln wins the election, South Carolina secedes. This was ultimatley the start of the downward spiril that the united States went into. A few other southern states later joined South Carolina and seceded also. -
Seceding
President Lincoln issues a public declaration that an insurrection exists and calls for 75,000 militia to stop the rebellion. As a result of this call for volunteers, four additional southern states secede from the Union in the following weeks. Lincoln will respond on May 3 with an additional call for 43,000+ volunteers to serve for three years, expanding the size of the Regular Army. -
First Battle
Union marched against the Confederate army, which was drawn up behind Bull Run. The Union attacked the Confederate left flank and fighting raged throughout the day as Confederate forces were driven back to Henry Hill and eventually reinforcements extended and broke the Union right flank. It marked the beginning of the Civil War. -
Naval Battle
Naval battle of great historical significance. Merrimack vs. Monitor were iron clad ships. They were the first naval ships to have iron sheets be put on the side of them. It protected the ships from the cannons destroying them. Brought in new naval power. -
Antietam
Union mounted a series of assaults against Confederate forces near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Confederate counterattacked but the Union was more powerful but they kept fighting. Ended in a draw -
Fredericksburg
Union attacked Confederates in Virginia and the Confederates turned back the Union assault with heavy casualties. Confederates won the battle. It ended the campaign against the Confederate Capitol of Richmond. -
Brandy Station
The Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia. Union cavalry forces cross the Rapidan River to attack General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry and discover that Lee's men are moving west toward the Shenandoah Valley. The largest cavalry battle of the Civil War, it also marks the beginning of the Gettysburg Campaign. Meanwhile, the Union assault on Vicksburg, Mississippi has become a siege of the city where soldiers and civilians alike suffer. -
Gettysburg
Confederates drove Union defenders through Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill. Lee struck the flanks of the union line resulting in severe fighting. Robert E. Lee failed to defeat the Union army. -
Chattanooga
Union forces break the Confederate siege of the city in successive attacks. The most notable event is the storming of Lookout Mountain on November 24 and Battle of Missionary Ridge the following day. The decisive Union victory sends the Confederate Army south into Georgia where General Bragg reorganizes his forces before resigning from command on November 30. -
Union Capture
Union occupied Mississippi. Union forces under William T. Sherman enter the city of Meridian, Mississippi after a successful month of campaigning through the central part of the state. The capture of this important southern town, well known for its industry and storage capabilities, severely hampers the efforts of Confederate commanders to sustain their armies in the deep south, Georgia and west of the Mississippi River. -
First Submarine Attack
First successful submarine attack of the Civil War. The CSS H.L. Hunley, a seven-man submergible craft, attacked the USS Houstonic outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Struck by the submarine's torpedo, the Housatonic broke apart and sank, taking all but five of her crew with her. Likewise, the Hunley was also lost and never heard from again until discovered in 1995 at the spot where it sank after the attack. -
Capture of Fort Pillow
After a raid through Tennessee, Confederate cavalry attacked and overwhelmed the Union at Fort Pillow. Among those on the fort were African American troops, many of whom were murdered by Forrest's angered troopers after they had surrendered. The affair was investigated and though charges of an atrocity were denied by Confederate authorities, the events at Fort Pillow cast a pall over Forrest's reputation and remained an emotional issue throughout the remainder of the war and after. -
Battle of Monocray
Confederates quietly moved north into Maryland to draw the Union away. They made excellent progress until they reached Frederick, Maryland, where a force of 6,000 Federal troops were arrayed to delay their advance. Though the battle was a Union defeat, it was also touted as "the battle that saved Washington" . It succeeded in holding back Early's march until troops could be sent to the capital's defense. -
Burning of Atlanta
The Union burnt down the city of Atlanta. This was a major loss for the Conferates becasue they lost a lot of theit supplies that were stored in Atlanta. Atlanta was a major city and it actually caused a lot of deaths. Some of the people in the town were burnt ton along with the city. -
13th Amendment
Congress proposed the 13th Amendement, outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude everywhere in the United States. This was a huge milestone in the United states because there was finally a law on slavery and not being allowed to own slaves. It ultimately pushed for a greater change in the Unite States. -
Second Term
Lincoln was inagurated for his second term as president. Andrew John was eleceted to be his vice-president. He pledged "malice towards none, and charity for all." -
Appromattox Court House
The confederates were surrounded by the Union after the Union completely cut off all of the Confederates supplies. General Lee had no choice but to surrender his troops. This was the end of the Civil War. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Not too long after the Civil War ended, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at the Fords Theater. He was a great leader who made a great change in the United States. His accompliments made him to be a very respectful person who is still viewed very highly today. -
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis, who was the Presidet of the confederacy, was captured. He had plans to move south and continue the slavery issue at a differnent time. The Union troops took him hostage and he was't able to follow through with his plan.