Civil War Timeline

  • Hot Air Baloons

    Hot Air Baloons

    Hot Air Balloons were used in the 1860s to fight in battles and give the armies high advantage points.
  • The Telograph

    The Telograph

    The telegraph was used during this time of the Civil War. it's an invention that helped long-distance communication. It allowed messages to be sent and received easily through electrical signals.
  • Spencer Repeating Guns

    Spencer Repeating Guns

    These guns were created at the beginning of the Civil War and could fire 7 shots in 15 seconds. Although, armies didn't use these until later in the war.
  • Lincoln-Douglass Debates Printed

    Lincoln-Douglass Debates Printed

    The debates of Abraham Lincoln and Steven Douglass were printed which was the start of Lincoln's political career
  • Period: to

    US Civil War

  • The Pony Express

    The Pony Express

    The Pony Express was a way to deliver mail faster. Riders would carry the mail to different stations on horseback, making mail delivery faster.
  • Lincoln's Election

    Lincoln's Election

    Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. Lincoln's election was viewed by the southerners as the end of their way of life. Since Lincoln was anti-slavery, the South was motivated to secede from the nation. This was what caused the civil war.
  • The Presidential Election of 1860

    The Presidential Election of 1860

    This election showed initial divisions between regions. The four candidates were Abraham Lincoln(Republican), John Breckenridge(Democratic), John Bell(Constitutional), and Stephan Douglass(Democratic).
  • South Carolina Succession Convention

    South Carolina Succession Convention

    Citizens in South Carolina's convention voted unanimously to leave the Union.
  • Crittenden Compromise

    Crittenden Compromise

    This proposal by the south was meant to preserve slavery. The support from Southern leaders outweighed the opposition from Northern leaders and overall failed.
  • South Carolina Secedes from Union

    South Carolina Secedes from Union

    South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union. This was the first of the rest who followed South Carolina shortly after. This event was triggered by the election of Lincoln.
  • South Seizes Federal Forts

    South Seizes Federal Forts

    When the Union refuses to give over southern federal forts to the states that succeeded, southern state troops seized them.
  • The Confederate States of America was created

    The Confederate States of America was created

    On this day, representatives from the southern states met in Montgomery, to establish a government. It was then named the C.S.A
  • Davis Elected by Congress

    Davis Elected by Congress

    Jefferson Davis was chosen by delegates to lead the Confederacy
  • Lincoln's Inauguration

    Lincoln's Inauguration

    Lincoln becomes the 16th President of the US at his inauguration
  • Lincoln's Inaugural Address

    Lincoln's Inaugural Address

    In this address, Lincoln delivered as a part of becoming the 16th President. In this, he promised not to interfere with slavery in slave states but also opposed succession.
  • The Confederate Constitution

    The Confederate Constitution

    Delegates from the succeeded southern states formed their own government and constitution.
  • The Battle of Fort Sumpter

    The Battle of Fort Sumpter

    The C.S.A attacked the Union at Fort Sumpter, South Carolina. This marked the beginning of the Civil War.
  • Virginia Succeeds from Union

    Virginia Succeeds from Union

    Virginia voted to join the Confederacy and became the Confederate capitol.
  • First Battle of Bull Run

    First Battle of Bull Run

    The First Battle of Bull Run was in Manassas, VA. The Confederacy forced the Union Army to retreat and gave them confidence while shocking people in the North.
  • Davis Elected by Confederacy

    Davis Elected by Confederacy

    Davis ran unopposed in his election and was officially elected president.
  • Battle of Monitor and Merrimack

    Battle of Monitor and Merrimack

    This battle was the first engagement of ironclad ships between nations.
  • Battle of Shiloh

    Battle of Shiloh

    Confederate forces attacked Grant's army. This battle ended in a Confederate retreat and heavy amounts of casualties on both sides.
  • The Capture of New Orleans

    The Capture of New Orleans

    Union officer David Farragut led forces into New Orleans and took control of the Confederacy's largest port located on the Mississippi River.
  • Battle of Seven Pines

    Battle of Seven Pines

    In this battle, the confederates attacked and came close to defeating the Union. Although last-minute reinforcements saved the Union and both sides were victors.
  • Seven Days Battle

    Seven Days Battle

    A series of six different battles were fought in seven days between the Confederacy and the Union
  • Henry Halleck Appointed Commander in Chief

    Henry Halleck Appointed Commander in Chief

    After McClellan was fired for having the slows, Henrey Halleck was made the new commander in chief.
  • Second Battle of Bull Run

    Second Battle of Bull Run

    Robert Lee led the Confederate Army to a victory over the Cnion, which increased the south's confidence.
  • The Battle of Harpers Ferry

    The Battle of Harpers Ferry

    The Battle of Harpers Ferry is known as the biggest surrender of the Union army during the Civil War.
  • Battle of Antietam

    Battle of Antietam

    This is known as the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. The Union army held its own and won while fighting in southern territory.
  • Lincoln Issues Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

    Lincoln Issues Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

    Lincoln declares that if succeeded states didn't end the fighting and rejoin the Union by the end of the year, all slaves in rebel states will become free.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation

    Lincoln declares all slaves are to be considered free, even in rebellious states.
  • Conscription Act

    Conscription Act

    The government came up with conscription, a new way to recruit men for the army. Men between 20 and 45 years of age were able to be called into the army.
  • Battle of Chancellorsville

    Battle of Chancellorsville

    Lee split up his army and surprise attacked the Union army until they were almost defeated. Union army retreated, and Lee won, although it was one of his most costly victories.
  • The Vicksburg Campaign

    The Vicksburg Campaign

    Union General Grant gained control of Vicksburg after Confederate General Pemberton surrendered. This victory helped the Union split the Confederate army in two
  • The Battle of Gettysburg

    The Battle of Gettysburg

    The Confederacy attacked the Union in Union territory. The Union army was victorious, and this was considered the turning point of the Civil War.
  • Lee Tries to Resign

    Lee Tries to Resign

    After the Battle of Gettysburg, Lee lost his confidence and believed he did not meet the standards and expectations set for him. He tries to resign as leader, and president Davis refuses.
  • Battle of Chickamauga

    Battle of Chickamauga

    Confederate Army took victory but lost 20 percent of their men.
  • Siege of Knoxville

    Siege of Knoxville

    Confederate General Longstreet put Knoxville under siege. Eventually, he abandoned the siege.
  • Gettysburg Address

    Gettysburg Address

    Lincoln preaches to the public about honoring fallen soldiers in attempt to unite nations. This speech was one of the most memorable presentations to the public in American history.
  • The Battle of Chattanooga

    The Battle of Chattanooga

    The union victories forced the Confederates back into Georgia.
  • Overland Campaign

    Overland Campaign

    Bloodiest campaign of the Civil War. Grant's purpose was to destroy the army of Northern Virginia and take the capitol of Richmond.
  • Sherman's Atlanta Campaign

    Sherman's Atlanta Campaign

    Union General Sherman's goal was to cut off the South's supply, defeat the Tenessee army, and conquer Atlanta.
  • Spotsylvania Court House Battle

    Spotsylvania Court House Battle

    Union troops attempted to break the Confederate line that defended Richmond but failed.
  • Battle of Cold Harbor

    Battle of Cold Harbor

    While advancing on the capital Richmond, Grant ordered an attack on Lee's army at Cold Harbor, which ended up to be Lee's last big victory of the war
  • Siege of Petersburg

    Siege of Petersburg

    Grant's goal was to take Petersburg and then advance to Richmond but ultimately failed.
  • Atlanta Captured

    Atlanta Captured

    After General William Sherman attacked Atlanta, Confederate General Hood evacuated.
  • Lincoln Gets Re-Elected

    Lincoln Gets Re-Elected

    The re-election of Lincoln was fueled by the Union's victories in the Civil War
  • Sherman's March to Sea

    Sherman's March to Sea

    Sherman cuts off from his supplies as he passed through Georgia, destroying buildings and towns in his path.
  • Sherman Storms Fort McAllister

    Sherman Storms Fort McAllister

    8 days after storming For McAllister, Sherman was able to conquer Savannah.
  • The Battle of Nashville

    The Battle of Nashville

    Union troops led by Union General Thomas won their battle against Confederate forces.
  • Second Battle of Fort Fisher

    Second Battle of Fort Fisher

    This was a successful naval siege by the Union. The Union captured the South's major Atlantic trading port.
  • Hampton Roads Peace Conference

    Hampton Roads Peace Conference

    Confederate President Davis and Lincoln could not find terms to agree on and nothing was accomplished.
  • Sherman Arrives in SC

    Sherman Arrives in SC

    Union soldiers led by Sherman attacked Colombia, South Carolina. They leave a destroyed city behind.
  • Confederacy Approves the Arming of Slaves

    Confederacy Approves the Arming of Slaves

    With shortages of soldiers, food, and supplies in the south, President Davis allows the use of Black troops in the army.
  • The Fall of Richmond

    The Fall of Richmond

    In a Union siege, the Confederate soldiers retreated and abandoned the city, burning it rather than surrendering it to the Union.
  • Battle of Appomattox Courthouse

    Battle of Appomattox Courthouse

    With the Confederate Army surrounded by Union forces, Lee surrenders his army to Grant
  • Lincoln's Assassination

    Lincoln's Assassination

    President Lincoln was watching a play at Ford's Theater, in Washington D.C, when he was shot by an actor sided with the Confederacy.
  • Wilkes Booth Captured

    Wilkes Booth Captured

    Lincoln's killer, John Wilkes Booth, was found and shot in a barn by a Union soldier.
  • Confederate President Captured

    Confederate President Captured

    Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, was captured by Union troops in Georgia.
  • Execution of Henry Wirz

    Execution of Henry Wirz

    The superintendent of a confederate prison in Andersonville was tried and hung.
  • Black Codes

    Black Codes

    The southern societies built a set of codes directed toward black people to prevent African Americans from succeeding in society.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    Civil Rights Act of 1866

    The United States Congress passed the first federal law that protects African Americans' rights.
  • Johnson Vetos Civil Rights Bill

    President Andrew Johnson Vetos the Civil Rights Act Bill of 1866
  • Congress Overrides Veto

    Congress overrides a presidential veto for the first time over a major law.
  • Memphis Riots

    Memphis Riots

    With the racism and violence left over from the Civil War, mobs of white citizens massacred black neighborhoods and freedmen.
  • Tennessee Joins Union

    Tennessee Joins Union

    Tennessee becomes the first state to rejoin the Union after the Civil War
  • Grant Becomes General of the Army

    Grant Becomes General of the Army

    The US Congress authorizes the rank of the General of the Army and Grant becomes the first of this rank.
  • Army Reorganization Act

    Army Reorganization Act

    This act created multiple new regiments and included African Americans in the men enlisted.
  • Civil War Officially Over

    Civil War Officially Over

    US President Andrew Johnson announced that the Civil War is over.
  • Suspension Bridge

    Suspension Bridge

    The John A Roebling Suspension Bridge went from Ohio to Kentucky and was the longest in the world.
  • Blacks Get Right to Vote

    Blacks Get Right to Vote

    In the US, African American men get granted the right to vote
  • Nebraska

    Nebraska

    Nebraska becomes the 37th US state.
  • Reconstruction Act of 1867

    Reconstruction Act of 1867

    This provided the terms for the rebel states' readmission to the US. It divided the confederate states into military districts.
  • Constitutional Act of 1867

    Constitutional Act of 1867

    This act united British territories into one dominion called Canada.
  • Purchase of Alaska

    Purchase of Alaska

    The U.S. agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia.
  • Senate Approves Purchase

    The US Senate approves one of the greatest land purchases and agrees to a treaty with Russia
  • Alaska Becomes the US

    Alaska Becomes the US

    Alaska becomes formally part of the US and ends Russia's hold in North America