Civil War Timeline

  • South Carolina votes to secede from the United States

    South Carolina votes to secede from the United States

    South Carolina was the first state to secede from the United States. The election of Abraham Lincoln played a role in the disunion all over the South.
  • Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address

    Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address

    Lincoln spoke about slavery at the United States Capitol. The main point is that he didn't want to strip the south of their slaves. Rather that he would be able to make everyone happy.
  • Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter

    Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter

    The South Carolina militia bombarded the United States army. This ended in surrender by the union which started the Civil War.
  • Lincoln suspends habeas corpus

    Lincoln suspends habeas corpus

    Suspending habeas corpus would allow military authorities to silence dissenters and rebels. And commanders could arrest and detain individuals who were deemed threatening to military operations.
  • Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy

    Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy

    The previous capital of the confederacy was Montgomery, Alabama. However, it was strategically moved to Virginia.
  • First Battle of Bull Run is fought

    First Battle of Bull Run is fought

    Also known as the Battle of Manassas. It was the first major land battle of the civil war. Union and Confederate armies clashed near Manassas Junction, Virginia.
  • Jefferson Davis elected President of the Confederacy

    Jefferson Davis elected President of the Confederacy

    He was elected as a as a compromise between moderates and radicals. His inauguration was on February 22, 1862
  • Merrimac and the Monitor fight at the Virginia coast

    Merrimac and the Monitor fight at the Virginia coast

    The Merrimac and Monitor were essentially early submarines. They are known as ironclad warships. The fight ended in a draw at Hampton Roads, Virginia.
  • Battle of Shiloh

    Battle of Shiloh

    The battle began with a surprise attack from the Confederate army on Ulysses S. Grant's army. However, the union was able to win the battle. At the time it was the bloodiest battle yet.
  • Robert E. Lee named confederate general

    Robert E. Lee named confederate general

    Specifically, he was commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. He would go on to lead in many important battles. Before the ultimate surrender of the confederacy.
  • Battle of Antietam

    Battle of Antietam

    The deadliest battle to happen in one day. The union won and succeeded in keeping the confederate army back until President Lincoln's Proclimation.
  • Battle of Fredericksburg

    Battle of Fredericksburg

    Robert E Lee's army defended itself against General Ambrose Burnside's army. It was the most decisive union loss, which caused low morale that winter.
  • Emancipation Proclamation announced

    Emancipation Proclamation announced

    President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation. This declared that all slaves held in rebellious states are freed.
  • Battle of Chancellorsville

    Battle of Chancellorsville

    This was a huge success for the Confederate army of Robert E. Lee. The battle lasted from April 30 to May 6, 1863
  • Battle of Gettysburg

    Battle of Gettysburg

    It's known as the largest, bloodiest, and most important battle of the war. General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania.
  • Confederates surrender at Vicksburg

    Confederates surrender at Vicksburg

    The surrender was demanded by Ulysses S. Grant. the union army took over the city on July 4th. The townsfolk of Vicksburg did not celebrate Independence Day for 81 years following the siege.
  • New York City draft riots

    New York City draft riots

    The newly instated draft caused outrage in New York. The riots lasted around 5 days, and about 100-120 people died
  • Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address

    Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address

    He gave this address at the dedication of the Gettysburg Civil War Cemetery. A former dean of Harvard University, Edward Everett also spoke that day.
  • Capturing of Atlanta, Georgia

    Capturing of Atlanta, Georgia

    General William Tecumseh Sherman and his army captured the city. It was a Confederate supply route and military operations location.
  • Abraham Lincoln Re-Elected over McClellan

    Abraham Lincoln Re-Elected over McClellan

    Abraham Lincoln was able to secure a second term as president. As well as winning the popular vote that year.
  • Sherman begins his March to the Sea

    Sherman begins his March to the Sea

    The march across Georgia was supposed to scare civilians into leaving the confederacy. They only 'dealt' with people who tried to fight back.
  • Congress passes the 13th Amendment

    Congress passes the 13th Amendment

    The 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
  • Freedmen's Bureau is created

    Freedmen's Bureau is created

    This bureau was for the relief of freedmen and refugees. It would supply food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced Southerners, including newly freed African Americans.
  • Richmond falls to the Union Army

    Richmond falls to the Union Army

    Once the Union army captured Richmond, it was clear the war was nearing the end for the confederacy.
  • Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox

    Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox

    Appomattox was not a battle, but a courtroom. Lee surrendered his 28,000 troops to Ulysses S. Grant. This was the end of the Civil War.
  • Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

    Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

    After being inaugurated a second time. He gives his address to the country.
  • Abraham Lincoln's Assasination

    Abraham Lincoln's Assasination

    In the presidential box at Ford's Theatre, Lincoln was assassinated. It was done by John Wilkes Booth, an actor at the theatre.
  • John Wilkes Booth is killed

    John Wilkes Booth is killed

    Only 12 days after the assassination, Booth was tracked down to a farm in Virginia. There was a sort of standoff which ended in his demise.

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