Civil War Timeline

civil war timeline

Period: Jan 1, 1857 to Dec 31, 1865

1857 1858

Abraham Lincoln is elected president

Nov 6, 1860

Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as 16th President.

Mar 4, 1861

The Civil War begins

Apr 12, 1861

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

President Lincoln issues a Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports

Apr 19, 1861

President Lincoln revokes Gen

Sep 11, 1861

Victory for Gen

Feb 6, 1862

The Confederate Ironclad 'Merrimac' sinks two wooden Union ships then battles the Union Ironclad 'Monitor' to a draw

Mar 8, 1862

Confederate surprise attack on Gen

Apr 6, 1862

The bloodiest day in U.S. military history

Sep 17, 1862

The president replaces McClellan with Gen

Nov 7, 1862

President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and emphasizes

Jan 1, 1863

Gen. Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West

Jan 29, 1863

Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off the Confederate rail lines

Jun 15, 1864

President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 in the morning

Apr 15, 1865