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civil war timeline - marano
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Thoughts to Secede Begin
Jefferson Davis shows that he is in favor of seceding from the Union for the first time. -
The Pony Express
This mail delivery system answered the demand for a faster way to relay messages and important news. This would help war communications during the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States. -
South Carolina Debates Secession
South Carolina holds a convention to decide whether or not they should secede from the Union. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina secedes from the Union, being the first southern state to do so. -
Jefferson Davis Elected
Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was elected to be the President of the Confederacy by representatives of the six seceded states in Montgomeery, Alabama. -
Confederacy Attacks Fort Sumter
The Confederate States of America attack and seize Fort Sumter. In response, Lincoln decides to go to war with the Confederacy. -
Tennessee Secedes from the Union
Tennessee secedes from the Union to join the Confederacy, being the last state to do so. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
First major battle of the Civil War in Virginia. The Confederacy held their ground against the Union, forcing them to retreat. -
First Transcontinental Telegraph
The first transcontinental telegraph system was completed, transporting messages and information from coast to coast faster than the Pony Express ever could. -
Battle of Mill Springs
The second largest battle in Kentucky during the Civil War and the first significant Union victory of the war. -
Battle at Shiloh
Johnston's Confederate troops attack Grant's Union troops near a small church in Tennessee. Both sides suffered terrible loses but the Union turned out victorious. -
Battle of Chantilly
This was the concluding battle of the Northern Virginia Campaign located in Fairfax County, Virginia. -
Battle at Antietam
General Lee's army is attacked by Union forces in Antietam, Maryland. This was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and forced General Lee's army to retreat. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Union forces break the first defensive line of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson but were soon driven away. Union troops suffered more than twice the casualties of Confederate soldiers. -
Emancipation Proclomation
Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclomation which freed all slaves behind Confederate lines. -
Bread Riots in Richmond
A mob of hungry and desperate civilians in Richmond vandalize and loot stores of their contents due to a lack of supplies because of the war. -
Stonewall Jackson Dies
The Confederacy loses a great general as a result of battle wounds. Lee comments - "I have lost my right arm." -
Battle of Brandy Station
The largest predominantly cavalry battle of the Civil War and the largest to ever take place in America. The Union army gained strength and confidence as a result of this battle. -
Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln delivers this short speech to honor those who died in the battle at Gettysburg. This is considered one of the most famous American speeches in history. -
Fort Pillow Massacre
The Union loss at Fort Pillow ended with a massacre of Union Army black troops by Confederate soldiers under the command of Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest. -
Battle of Atlanta
Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman defeat Confederate soldiers defending the southern city under John B. Hood. -
Burning of Chambersburg
Confederate John McCausland and 2,800 calvarymen enter and burn the town of Chambersburg, Pennslyvania after the citizens of the town fail to give up the money demanded of them. -
Union Navy Captures Fort Morgan
Union Admiral David Farragut captures Fort Morgan, Alabama. This event broke Confederate ports of the Gulf of Mexico. -
Battle of Franklin
This battle was one of the worst disasters for the Confederate Army. The Army of Tennessee suffered many loses of men and leadership. -
Fort Fisher
The Union captures Fort Fisher, an important fort that protected important trading routes of the port in Wilmington. North Carolina. -
Lincoln's Second Inauguration
Lincoln is elected president for his second term. -
Confederate Surrender
General Lee and Grant meet in Appomattox, Virginia to arrange the Confederate surrender. -
Abraham Lincoln Dies
After John Wilkes Booth shoots Abraham Lincoln, the president dies the next morning. Andrew Johnson replaced Lincoln as president. -
Jefferson Davis Captured
The Union Army caught up to Jefferson Davis in Irwinville, Georgia and after his capture sent him to Fort Monroe to be imprisoned for 2 years. -
Thirteenth Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment is added to the United States Constitution. This amendment abolished slavery.
