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Abraham Lincoln addresses gathering at the Cooper Institute in New York, attacking slavery and insisting that the Federal government has the power of restraining the extension of the institution.
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The Constitutional Union Party, a short-lived political group, was a haven in the election of 1860 for Whigs and Know-Nothings unwilling to join northern or southern Democrats or the Republicans.
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Democrats reconvene in Baltimore, Maryland. The adherents of Stephen A. Douglas complete the destruction begun at Charleston by refusing to seat the Yancey delegation from Alabama. Deep South delegates again withdraw from the Democratic Convention.
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Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president in 1860. He was a Kentucky-born lawyer and former Whig representaive to congress.
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South Carolina suceeds from the Union. Within two months Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas also suceeded from the Union.
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The Confederate States of America was formed with Jefferson Davis . Was a government set up by six of the seven southern slave states that had declared their secession from the United States.
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Texas voters ratify secession, 34,794 to 11,235.
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Lincoln enters Washington D.C. in disguise because of unrest. Southerners begin seizing federal posts.
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Lincoln decides to supply Ft. Sumter, but wants the South to fire the first shot.
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McDowell leads 30,000 men against Johnston's 22,000 Southern troops. South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray.
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General Grant captures two forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Confederates forced out of Kentucky and yield much of Tennessee
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First battle in history ends in a draw as the Merrimac withdraws after day long exchange of fire. Union blockade of South is maintained
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Grant overcomes Southern forces with heavy losses for each side.
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Farragut seizes New Orleans for Union after boldly attacking Southern position. 11 Southern ships sunk
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Heavily outnumbered, Lee's troops face McClellan in bloody fighting. Over 23,000 casualties, more than all previous American wars combined.
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The war to preserve the Union now becomes a revolutionary struggle for the abolition of slavery.
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General Hooker defeated by Lee. Jackson is mistakenly shot by his own men and killed.
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Over 165,000 soldiers participate in the largest battle in the Western Hemisphere. After three days of fighting, Lee retreats, leaving 4,000 dead Confederates.
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After a long siege, Vicksburg surrenders to Grant. All of Mississippi River is now in Union control.
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Reinforced with troops from the East, Grant is able to push Southern troops back and prepare for assault on Atlanta and the heart of the Confederacy.
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Union forces under Major General John G. Parke advanced on Dandridge, Tennessee, near the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad.
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The rebel General Forrest appeared before Fort Pillow attacking it.. This was followed up by frequent demands for its surrender, which were refused by Major Booth, who commanded the fort
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John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer, fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln at a play at Ford's Theatre.
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Confederate General Jubal Early led his forces into Maryland. Early got within five miles of Washington, D.C., but on July 13, he was driven back to Virginia.
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Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president defeating Democrat George B. McClellan.
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Huge crowds in Savannah greeted news of the state's secession from the Union with wild enthusiasm.
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Representing the Confederacy were Robert M.T. Hunter, John A. Campbell and Vice President Alexander H. Stephens. President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William H. Seward represented the United States.
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It was the last major engagement between the armies of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant before the capitulation of Lee's Confederate army at Appomattox Court House three days later.
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Booth was followed after shooting Lincoln, captured and was killed.
