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Period: to
Civil War
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Davis announces secession
Jefferson Davis comes out in favor of secession for the first time -
The Pony Express is created
Overland mail between Sacramento, California and St. Joseph's, Missouri is carried over the Oregon Trail for eighteen months by this series of riders on horseback, then rendered obsolete when the transcontinental telegraph is completed. Service ended on October 24, 1861. -
The Constitution Union Party
Meet in Baltimore. It represents southern whigs. -
Republican Convention is held in Chicago, Illinois
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Joseph E. Johnston appointed Quartermaster General
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Lincoln is Elected
Abraham Lincoln was elected 16th President of the United States of America and stated he would abolish slavery in all states. -
Anderson requests reinforcements
Major Robert Anderson reports Fort Sumter is being threatened in Charleston as federal forces begin to improved Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter in the harbor. -
Call for a New Nation
Georgia calls for a convention of Southern states to form an independent nation. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. -
Federal arsenal at Charleston falls into the hands of the Rebels
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The Confederates of America
The Convention of Seceded States adopts a provisional constitution forming the Confederate States of America -
The Confederate States of America is formed
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Attack on Fort Sumter
Confederate forces attack on Fort Sumter which starts the beginning of the Civil War. At 4:30 a.m. Confederates under Gen. Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. -
Fort Sumter is Attacked
The Civil War begins -
Virginia Secedes from the Union
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Lee joins the Confederates
General Robert E. Lee resigns from the United States Army and becomes a commander in the Confederate Army because he cannot betray his homeland, family, and children, -
Battle of Philippi
First land engagement of the Civil War between American and Confederate forces -
The Battle of Bull Run
About 25 miles southwest of Washington the first major battle of the Civil War pits Irvin McDowell [US] against P. G. T. Beauregard [CS] and Joe Johnston [CS]. -
Winfield Scott is relieved
Winfield Scott relieved from duty as Supreme Comander of the United States. -
Davis is Elected
Jefferson Davis is elected to a six year term as President of the Confederate States of America. -
Battle of Middle Creek
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USS Monitor
USS Monitor, the first ship featuring a turreted center gun, is launched. The design changes naval warfare forever -
Battle of Ft. Donelson
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McClellan is relieved
President Lincoln relieves George McClellan as General-in-Chief of the U. S. Army for having the slows. -
Battle of Shiloh
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Pacific Railway Act
President Lincoln signs the Pacific Railway Act, incorporating the Union Pacific Railroad and subsidizing it with federal funds -
First Usage of Copperhead
The term Copperhead is used for the first time in writing by the Cincinnati Gazette. It was used to indicate people who would not admit they were Southern sympathizers, and "peace at any price" Democrats -
Battle of Antietam
Bloodiest day in American history -
The Emancipation Proclamation
Following the preemptive strike at Antietam President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in states or portions of states still in rebellion -
Ulysses S. Grant begins the First Vicksburg campaign
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The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect
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Battle of Chancellorsville
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West Virginia becomes a State
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States, but the first to enter where the terms slave and free no longer mattered. -
Battle of Gettysburg
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Victory at Vicksburg
Ulysses S. Grant accepts the surrender of the second Confederate Army he has defeated, at Vicksburg -
Gettysburg Address
At the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg President Lincoln delivers a two-minute speech. -
13th Amendment
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery. The amendment is then submitted to the states for ratification. -
Failed Attempt at peace
A peace conference occurs as President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at Hampton Roads in Virginia, but the meeting ends in failure -
Inaguration Ceremonies begin
For Lincoln -
Lee's last offensive
The last offensive for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia begins with an attack on the center of Grant's forces at Petersburg -
Lee Surrenders
Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. -
Lincoln is Shot
At 10:13 p.m., during the third act of the play, John Wilkes Booth shoots the president in the head. Doctors attend to the president in the theater then move him to a house across the street. He never regains consciousness. -
Lincoln Dies
He eventually dies in a house across the street of Fords Theater after being shot in the head. -
Wilkes Booth Dies
John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia. -
Lincoln is buried
Abraham Lincoln is laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, outside Springfield, Illinois. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment is finally ratified. -
Johnson Vetos Civil Rights Act
President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act of 1866 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional -
US declares peace
The United States declares that a state of peace exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia -
Congress Buys Fords Theater
Congress appropriates $100,000 to buy Ford's Theater. It will house the Army Medical Museum, the Office of the Surgeon General and War Department records until 1893 -
Congress Overides Civil Rights Act
Congress overrides President Andrew Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights Act -
Cholera arrives in New York
Cholera epidemic begins in New York when an infected passenger arrives in New York. -
Winfield Scott dies
Winfield Scott dies, West Point, NY -
Ulyses S. Grant becomes the general of 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. -
David Faragut is Admiral
Congress creates the rank of Admiral. David Farragut is appointed to that rank -
Peace with Texas
A proclaimation of peace with Texas is issued by United States President Andrew Johnson -
South Carolina rejects 14th Amendment
On the 6th anniversary of secession, South Carolina rejects the 14th Amendment -
Blacks can vote
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto -
Virginia rejects 14th Amendment
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Nebraska becomes a State
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Federal army restores military rule to Mississippi
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Rejection of Black Votes
Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousand of votes cast by Negroes, who were granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
Sheridan takes the 5th military district
General Philip Sheridan assumes command of the 5th Military district encompassing Louisiana and Texas. He designates New Orleans as his headquarters. -
Maryland Rejects 14th Amendment
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Some states are admitted in to the Union
Congress passes a bill admitting Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. -
Secretary of War
Edwin Stanton is replaced by Ulyses S. Grant -
Russia turns over Alaska
Russia gives Alaskan Territory to the US