Civil War Timeline By Silas hale Period: Jan 1, 1857 to Dec 31, 1865 civil war timeline 1857 1858 Nov 6, 1860 Abraham Lincoln is elected president Mar 4, 1861 Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as 16th President. Apr 12, 1861 The Civil War begins At 4:30 a.m. Confederates under Gen. Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The civil war begins Apr 19, 1861 President Lincoln issues a Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports Sep 11, 1861 President Lincoln revokes Gen Feb 6, 1862 Victory for Gen Mar 8, 1862 The Confederate Ironclad 'Merrimac' sinks two wooden Union ships then battles the Union Ironclad 'Monitor' to a draw Apr 6, 1862 Confederate surprise attack on Gen Sep 17, 1862 The bloodiest day in U.S. military history Nov 7, 1862 The president replaces McClellan with Gen Jan 1, 1863 President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and emphasizes Jan 29, 1863 Gen. Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West Jun 15, 1864 Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off the Confederate rail lines Apr 15, 1865 President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 in the morning
