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Period: to
Civil War
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Davis in Favor of Secession
Jefferson Davis comes out in favor of secession for the first time. -
Lincoln Speaks at Cooper Institute
After being photographed by Matthew Brady, Abraham Lincoln speaks at the Cooper Institute in New York City. -
Democratic Convention
The Democratic Party holds its convention in Charleston, SC. When the pro-slavery platform is rejected, delegates from 8 southern states leave. The remaining delegates adjourn after being unable to agree on a candidate. -
Constitutional Union Party
Former members of the American and Whig parties meet in Baltimore, MD, to form the Constitutional Union party. Delegates nominate John Bell of Tennessee for president and Edward Everett of Massachusetts for vice-president. -
Leading Contenders of Presidency
William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase and Abraham Lincoln of Illinois are the leading contenders from a field of 12 candidates. Lincoln wins on the third ballot. Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, an outspoken, long-time abolitionist is chosen for vice-president. -
National Democratic Convention
Southern delegates hold a National Democratic convention in Richmond. Party leaders urge a "wait and see" approach. -
Lincoln is Elected President
Abraham Lincoln is elected President, with Hannibal Hamlin as his Vice President. -
Manifesto Urging Secession
Seven senators and 23 representatives from the southern states issue a manifesto urging secession and the organization of a Southern Confederacy. -
Crittenden Compromise
Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky proposes the Critttenden Compromise: It consists of six constitutional amendments and four resolutions that make major concessions to southern concerns: -
South Caroline Secedes
As a consequence of Lincoln’s election, a special convention of the South Carolina legislature votes to secede from the Union. -
Star of the West
Star of the West, an unarmed merchant vessel secretly carrying federal troops and supplies to Fort Sumter, is fired upon by South Carolina artillery at the entrance to Charleston harbor. -
Kansas Admitted as a State
Kansas is admitted as a state with a constitution prohibiting slavery. -
President of the Confederate States of America
Delegates from six seceded states meet in Montgomery, Alabama, to form a government and elect Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate States of America. -
16th President
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the sixteenth President of the United States. -
Fort Sumter Surrenders
Fort Sumter is bombarded and surrenders to South Carolina troops led by P. G. T. Beauregard. -
State of Insurrection
Lincoln declares a state of insurrection and calls for 75,000 volunteers to enlist for three months of service. -
Blockade
Lincoln orders a blockade of all Confederate ports. -
Lee Resigns
Colonel Robert E. Lee resigns his commission in the United States Army. -
Richmond
Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy. -
First Battle of Manassas
Confederate forces win a victory at the First Battle of Manassas. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earns the nickname “Stonewall” for his tenacity in the battle. -
Union Capture Fort Henry
General Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Henry, Tennessee. Ten days later he accepts the “unconditional and immediate surrender” of Fort Donelson. These victories open up the state of Tennessee for Union advancement. -
Conscription
Conscription is adopted in the Confederacy. -
Capture of New Orleanes
Federal fleet commander David G. Farragut captures New Orleans. -
Battle of McDowell
Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley campaign begins successfully with a victory at the Battle of McDowell in Virginia. -
The Prayer of Twenty Millions
Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune publishes The Prayer of Twenty Millions, a plea for Lincoln to liberate slaves in the Union. -
Second Battle of Manassas
The South is again victorious at the Second Battle of Manassas. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam, Maryland, exacts heavy losses on both sides. -
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. -
McClellan Relieved of His Dutys
General McClellan receives Lincoln’s order relieving him of command of the Army of the Potomac. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Lee wins the Battle of Fredericksburg decisively. -
Issue of Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, which declares that slaves in the seceded states are now free. -
Federal Draft Act
President Lincoln signs a federal draft act. -
Stonewall Jackson Dies
Lee hands the Army of the Potomac another serious loss at the Battle of Chancellorsville. “Stonewall” Jackson is wounded during the battle. He will develop pneumonia and die on May 10. -
Brandy Station, Virgina
Confederate cavalry under Jeb Stuart clash with the Union mounts of Alfred Pleasonton in an all day battle at Brandy Station, Virginia. Some 18,000 troopers—approximately nine thousand on either side—take part, making this the largest cavalry battle on American soil. In the end, Stuart will hold the field. Yet this battle signals the rise and future domination of Union cavalry in the eastern theater. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is fought in Pennsylvania. General George G. Meade compromises his victory by allowing Lee to retreat South across the Potomac. -
Vicksburg
After a long siege, Confederates surrender Vicksburg to Ulysses S. Grant, thus securing the Mississippi River for the Union. -
Riots in NYC
Violent riots erupt in New York City in protest of the draft. -
Chickamauga
Confederates under General Braxton Bragg win a great tactical victory at Chickamauga, Georgia. Union General George H. Thomas wins the nickname "Rock of Chickamauga" for his stubborn defense of his position. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivers his Gettysburg Address, in which he reiterates the nation’s fundamental principle that all men are created equal. -
Chattanooga
After three days of battle, the Union victory at Chattanooga, Tennessee, opens the way for Union advancement into the heart of the Confederacy. -
Grant Given Authority
Newly commissioned to the rank of lieutenant general, Ulysses S. Grant is given official authority to command all of the armies of the United States. -
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia is the first of a bloody series of month-long engagements between Grant and Lee. -
Court House and Yellow Tavern
Battles at Spotsylvania Court House and Yellow Tavern impede Grant’s drive for Richmond. Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart is killed at Yellow Tavern, May 11. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor results in heavy Union casualties. Grant prepares for a ten month siege of Petersburg. -
Repeal of fugitive slave laws
Lincoln signs a bill repealing the fugitive slave laws. -
Attack on Washington D.C.
Confederate forces under Jubal Early probe and fire upon the northern defenses of Washington, D.C., throwing the Capital into a state of high alert. -
Battle of Mobile Bay
Union Admiral David G. Farragut wins the Battle of Mobile Bay. -
Relection of Lincoln
Lincoln is reelected President, with Andrew Johnson as Vice President. -
March to the Sea
Sherman leaves Atlanta and begins his “march to the sea,” in an attempt to demoralize the South and hasten surrender. -
Battle of Nashville
General George Henry Thomas wins the Battle of Nashville, decimating John Bell Hood's Confederate Army of Tennessee. -
13th Amendment
Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolishes slavery throughout the United States. -
Columbia Destoryed
Columbia, South Carolina, is almost completely destroyed by fire, most likely set by Sherman’s troops. -
Lincoln is Inaugurated Again
Lincoln is inaugurated as President for a second term. -
Appomattox Campaign
The Appomattox campaign begins, with Grant’s move against Lee’s defenses at Petersburg, Virginia. -
Confederate Government Evacuates its Capital
Petersburg falls, and the Confederate government evacuates its capital, Richmond. Confederate corps commander Ambrose Powell Hill is killed in action while attempting to rally his men. -
Union troops occupy Richmond.
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Lincoln Gets Shot
John Wilkes Booth shoots President Lincoln at Ford’s Theater; Secretary of State William H. Seward is stabbed and wounded in an assassination attempt inside his Washington home. -
Andrew Johnson Becomes President
Lincoln dies, and Andrew Johnson is inaugurated as President. -
John Wilkes Booth is Killed
Joseph E. Johnston surrenders to William T. Sherman in North Carolina; John Wilkes Booth is shot in a barn in Virginia and dies. -
Jefferson Davis Gets Captured
Jefferson Davis is captured and taken prisoner near Irwinville, Georgia. -
The Liberator
The last issue of the Liberator is published. The newspaper has now becomes unnecessary because the slaves have been freed. -
Jesse James and Gang
The first day light bank robbery takes place in Liberty, Missouri. This was carried out by Jesse James and his gang, although no one is quite sure where Jesse James fits into this event. -
ASPCA
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is founded in New York by Henry Bergh. -
Nickel
Congress approves the minting of a five cent piece, know as the nickel. This eliminates the half dime. -
14th Amendment
Thirty-ninth Congress approves the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. -
Tennessee
Following the Civil War Tennessee becomes the first state readmitted to the Union. -
General of the Armies
Congress establishes "general of the armies" and Ulysses S. Grant is immediately promoted to 4-star general and put in this position. William Tecumseh Sherman assumes the rank of Lt. General. -
Atlantic Cable
The Atlantic Cable is established allowing transatlantic telegraph communication for the first time. -
Proclamation of Peace
A proclaimation of peace with Texas is issued by United States President Andrew Johnson. -
Train Robbery
The first train robbery takes place. The Reno brothers get away with $13,000. -
Blacks in D.C. Gain the Right to Vote
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Jesse James
Jesse James robs a bank in Savannah,Missouri. The attempt failed with one casualty. -
First Reconstruction Act
The first reconstruction act sets up five military districts in the South, each under the control of a military commander. The Army Appropriations Act is passed, lessening Johnsons' control on the army. The final act passed is The Tenure Office Act which states that Johnson cannot remove cabinet members without the Senate's consent. -
2nd Reconstruction Act
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act over Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Admitted into the Union
Congress passes a bill admitting Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, having refused to ratify the fourteenth amendment, were refused admission into the Union. -
Third Reconstruction Act
Johnson vetoes the third reconstruction act which spells out election procedures in the South and reasserts congressional control over the Reconstruction. Congress overrides Johnsons' veto. -
Stanton Suspended
Johnson suspends Stanton as Secretary of War after the two clash over reconstruction plans. Johnson places Ulysses S. Grant in the position. -
Alaska is Acquired
The United States officially takes possesion of Alaska from Russia. $7.2 million is paid for it. -
Impeachment
Congress looks into impeaching Johnson for his lack of effectiveness and unwillingness to follow through with reconstruction. -
Grange
Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry. Today this order is known as the farmers organization Grange.
