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Civil War Timeline- M. Gazette
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Pony Express
Mail service that delivered messages and mail across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. West's most direct means of east-west communication. -
Lincoln Nominated for President
The Republican Party met in Chicago to discuss. They nominated Lincoln, a congressmen, as its presidential candidate. -
First Railroad Reached Kansas
Kansas was a major part of the Civil War. It was a violent war zone, nicknamed 'the Bleeding Kanasas.' The railroad gave slaves an escape route. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected Presidenrt
Abraham Lincoln is elected president, the first Republican, Receiving 180 electoral votes and winning the popular vote. -
South Carolina Secedes
Soth Carolina secedes from the Union. They are the first state to secede from the Union having other states like Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas follow the secession. -
The Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis formed the Confederate States of America as president. He was a former U.S. Army officer. -
16th President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln is sworn into office as the 16th President of the United States. -
Fort Sumter
Open fires with 50 cannons are shot at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. This is the official start of the Civil War. -
Proclamation of Blockade
Lincoln issued the Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports. This limits the ability of the rural South to stay supplied. -
First Bull Run
Union army suffers defeat at Bull Run. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earns nickname "Stonewall", and Union troops fall back to Washington. -
Surprise Attack Shiloh
Confederate surprise attack on Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared troops. Results in more men than all previous American wars combined. -
Antietam - Bloodiest Day
Bloodiest day in U.S. history as confederate armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland. Lee withdraws. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation is the freeing of slaves issued by President Lincoln. -
Replacement of McClellan
President replaces McClellan with Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside as new Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln was impatient with McClellan slowness. -
Fredericksburg
Armies under Gen. Burnside suffer defeat at Fredericksburg in Virginia. There are over 5,000 confederate losses. -
Stonewell Jackson's Death
The South suffers huge blow as Stonewall Jackson dies from wounds. They lost a good leader in Confederate battles. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Confederate are defeated at the battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. The war is turned against the South during this three day battle. -
Vicksburg
Vicksburg is the last confederate stronghold on Mississippi River and surrenders to Grant. Union is now in control of Mississippi. -
Meeting with Frederick Douglass
President Lincoln meets with Frederick Douglass on this day. He pushes for full equality for the Union 'negro troops.' -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers two minute speech. He adresses equality and for a birth of freedom to all Americans. -
Cold Harbor
Grant makes a costly mistake by having 7,000 Union deaths against fortifield Rebels at Cold Harbor in Virginia. These casualties happened within a twenty minute span. -
Union Forces Miss Opportunity
Union forces miss opportunity to cut off Confederate rail lines and to capture Petersburg. Results in nine month siege with Grant's forces surrounding Lee. -
George B. McClellan Nominated
George B. McClellan is nominated for president to run against Republican incumbent Abraham Lincoln. The democrats nominate him to be in election. -
Atlanta Captured
Sherman's Army captures Atlanta. This victory greatly helps President Lincoln's bid for re-election. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman marches to the sea after destroying railroad facilities and warehouses in Atlanta. President Lincoln approved this idea with 62,000 men beginning a March to the Sea. -
Approval of Thirteenth Amendment
U.S. Congress approves of the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. The Amendment is submitted to states for ratification. -
Peace Conference
President Lincoln meets with Vice President Alexander Stephens at a peace conference in Hampton Roads in Virginia. Meeting fails, and war continues. -
Grant Advances
General Grant advances and breaks through Lee's lines at Petersburg. Lee evacuates Petersburg, and fires and looting break out. Union troops enter and raise the Stars and Stripes. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia. General Lee surrenders in the Appomattox Court House. -
Lincoln is Shot
President Abraham Lincoln goes to see a play with his wife at Ford's Theter. Lincoln is shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at 10:13 p.m.