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The Pony Express begins it's first run from Saint Joesph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
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Former members of the American and Whig parties meet in Baltimore, MD to form the constitutional party.
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On this date Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of the United States. He represeted the Republican party.
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On this date South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. This is one of the starting points of the war and this officialy starts the Confederacy.
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South Carolina issues the Declaration of Immediate Causes, which officially clairifes their secession,
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The Confederate States of America are officialy formed. Jefferson Davis, former U.S army officer, becomes president.
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President Abraham Lincoln is officialy sworn in as the 16th president of the United States.
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Confederates open fire on Fort Sumter with 50 cannons in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War officially begins.
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Virginia secedes from the Union followed by Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. This forms an eleven state confederacy with a population of 9 million people.
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President Lincoln issues a proclamation of blockade against Southern ports. This limits the ability for the South to be well supplied.
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President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1 calling for all U.S naval and land forces to advance.
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Gen. Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Henry then Fort Donelson ten days later. Earns nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.
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President Lincoln is struck with greif when his eleven year old son, William, dies from fever. Most likely caused by drinking polluted water from the White House.
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Robert. E. Lee assumes command of the Confederate forces. Taking over for the wounded Johnston.
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Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves is issued by President Lincoln.
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Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves held in territories by the Confederacy. The war now becomes a struggle for the aboltiion of slavery.
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Gen.Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West, with orders to capture Vicksburg.
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The South suffers a huge blow as Stonewall Jackson dies from his wounds. His last words, "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."
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Gen.Lee commences his second invasion of the North. Heading into Pennsylvania in a campaign that will lead to Gettysburg,
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The tide of the war turns as the South are defeated at Gettysburg. The battle lasted 3 days.
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President Lincoln appoints Gen.Grant to command all armies in the United States.
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A costly mistake by Grant leads to 7,000 Union casulaties in 20 minutes at Cold Harbor in Virginia.
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Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off Confederate rail lines. This begins a nine month seige of Petersburg,
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Democrats nominate George McClellan to run against Lincoln.
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Abraham Lincoln is re-elected winning 55 percent of the popular vote.
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U.S congress approves the 13th amendment to officially abolish slavery.
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A peace conference occurs as President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at Hampton Roads in Virginia.
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Inauguration ceremonies begin for Lincoln in Washington.
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Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders the Confederate army to Ulysees S. Grant. The war ends, celebrations break out in Washington.
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Lincoln dies at officially 7:22 in the morning after being shot by John Wilkes Booth the night before. Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency.
