CIVIL WAR TIMELINE By jack r Jan 1, 1663 Lincoln declares the emancipation proclamation which is a order to free slaves. Sep 6, 1860 abraham lincoln is sworn into office as the 15th president in america he promised to put an end to slavery in the south. Dec 20, 1860 the state of south carolina is the first state to secede causing a chain reaction for the succession crisis for the union Period: 1861 to 1866 CIVIL WAR Feb 9, 1861 the southern states that succeeded make a new confederation called the confederate states of america whait jefferson davis as there head of state Apr 12, 1861 the civil war begins when cofetarie troops fired upon fort sumter in south carolina Jun 1, 1863 the battle of gettysburg marks a turning point for the war and is the start of the victoreas for the north Apr 4, 1865 the southern general robert e lee surrenders to northern ulysses s grant marking the end of the war.