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Civil War Timespan
Timeline covering Civil War -
African Americans Enslaved
There were around 4.4 million African Americans living in America in the year 1860, but of those 4.4, 4 million of them were living under slavery before the Civil War. The Westward Expansion and Abolition Movement were what provoked it during this year. -
The Pony Express Begins
The Pony Express was a system of mail delivery that tied the East and West to one another before electronics became a thing to communicate. A horse traveler would travel around 75 to 100 miles a day to make their delivery. -
Lincoln becomes Republican Presidential Candidate
Abraham Lincoln had all the strong qualities to affect the world through his interest in running such as being against slavery, ways to solve and work around economic issues as well as his western origins. -
Census of 1860
The Census of 1860 was the eighth census that had occurred in the United States. It gave the population of 33 of the states to come out to be 31,442,322. -
Henry Repeating Rifle
The Henry Rifle was a 16-shot, .44 caliber rimfire breech-loading rifle that was patented by Benjamin Tyler Henry. It took about three years to finish the final design which was an improvement of the Volition. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
There were four extremely strong candidates including Abraham Lincoln running for president. With Lincoln's win, the nation would come to a change in future years. -
First Succession Convention Meets
The delegates were elected on December 6, 1860, and met in the Baptist Church in Columbia. The actions behind the First Succession meeting causes the state of South Carolina to be the first state to secede from the Union. -
Crittenden Compromise
John J. Crittenden introduced this idea which was to make it unconstitutional for Congress to end slavery in the future as well as permanently enshrined in the Constitution but was unsuccessful. -
South Carolina Secedes From the Union
In 1860, the state of South Carolina officially withdraws from the United States of America. -
President Buchanan Fires his Cabinet
James Buchanan was the last president before the Civil War who tried to prevent war. Rather than bringing the nation together, it divided the Union and caused the Democrats to disagree with one another, firing his whole cabinet. -
6 Other States Succeed from the Union Ranging in January
After the secession of South Carolina, six other states not too long after followed it. These six other states that seceded from the Union included Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisianna, and Texas -
The Confederate States of America are Formed
Representatives from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana came together in Montgomery, Alabama to form the Confederate States. There were eleven states that seceded from the United States to form the Confederate States. -
Jefferson Davis is Appointed as the First President of the Confederate States
Jefferson Davis was elected as the first president of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. The Confederate Congress finalized this decision that had confirmed his presidency. -
Abraham Lincolns Inauguration
Abraham Lincoln's inauguration occurred at the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. He became the 16th president of the United States, held on a Monday. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
Roger Pryor was the first to fire at the Battle of Fort Sumter which was held near Charleston, South Carolina. After, George S. James ordered his men to fire mortar shells that exploded over Fort Sumter causing the start of the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln Issues a Proclamation Calling Forth the Militias
Only a couple of days after the Battle at Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln issues a proclamation for the state militias to come forward for assistance. Around 75,000 troops to bring an end to the rebellion. -
Union Crosses Potomac River and Occupies Arlington Heights
Abraham Lincoln asks for an additional 43,000 volunteers to continue to serve which causes Union troops to cross over the Potomac River and occupy Arlington Heights, which in the future become General Robert E. Lee's home. -
Battle of Big Bethel
The Battle of Big Bethel was one of the earliest land battles of the Civil War that was fought on the Virginia Peninsula. This ended with a Confederate victory when the Federal troops had to retreat due to the fact they were unable to dislodge the Confederate forces. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War that was fought in Prince William County, Virginia. The result of this battle ended up a Confederate victory that left the Union surprised as they thought it would be an easy victory. -
Battle of Belmont
This battle was fought in Mississippi County, Missouri, and became the first combat test in the Civil War for the Union Army General, Ulysses S. Grant. Even though it was a Confederate victory, it left a great impression on Grant. -
Battle of Mill Springs
The Battle of Mill Springs was fought in Kentucky that ended with a Union Victory. It caused the collapse of the eastern sector of the Confederate defensive line. -
Surrender of Fort Henry
It was fought in Stewart County, Tennessee during the Civil War and caused the Confederates to surrender and a Union victory. It restored Western and middle Tennessee as well as most of Kentucky to the Union. -
Surrender of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was the first major Union victory during the Civil War as well as a major victory for Ulysses S. Grant. It ended up being a huge disaster for the Confederates. -
Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack
This was the first naval battle between the ironclad ships, also known as the Battle of Hampton Roads. The Merrimack ended up being destroyed by Confederate troops and the Monitor sank during a storm off the coast of North Carolina. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was fought at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, and ended with a Union victory over the Confederate forces. It was considered the bloodiest battle to ever occur with over 23,000 dead and wounded. -
Battle of Seven Pines
This battle, also considered the Battle of Fair Oaks, took place in Henrico County, Virginia during the Peninsular Campaign for two days. This battle was to stall the Union from pushing to Richmond. -
The Seven Days Battle
The Seven Days Battles were seven different battles that were fought near Richmond, Virginia over a seven-day period. In the end result, the Confederates took the victory and thwarted the Northern attempt to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond. -
The Second Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Second Manassas was fought in Prince William County, Virginia which ended with a Confederate win. Abraham Lincoln lost hope for the 90-day battle and the Union was forced to retreat. -
The Battle at Antietam
Also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg was one of the deadliest one-day battles in history. This battle was able to show Union was capable to stand against the Confederate army in the Eastern theater. -
Battle of Stones River
This battle, also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro, was fought in Stones River and ended with a Union victory. This battle boosted morale in the North and gave the Federals complete control of central Tennessee. -
The Emancipation Proclamation is Issued by President Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that all people that are slaves shall be set free. More than 3 million enslaved people were set a date to see their freedom and used the Civil War to fight for slavery. -
Conscription Begins of Soldiers in the North
The U.S. Congress passed a conscription act that produced a wartime draft for citizens to be drafted during the Civil War from the North. They called for any men between the ages 20 and 45. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
This battle was when General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was mortally wounded but the Confederate Army ended up taking the victory. Joe Hooker stood no chance against the Confederacy general, causing the Union to lose confidence in winning. -
Siege of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was the final action in the Vicksburg campaign that ended with a Union victory. This action caused the Confederacy to divide but cemented General Ulysses S. Grant's reputation. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and ended with a Union victory. This battle gave the North a morale boost and ended General Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the North. -
Vicksburg Surrenders to Union Army
General Pemberton, a Confederate general, rode along the Jackson Road on his horses waving white flags and surrendering to the Union. This gave the Union control of the Mississippi River and split the South into two. -
The Battle of Chickamauga
This battle came out to be the largest Confederate victory in the Western theater. The Confederates were able to break through Union lines and force the Federals into a siege. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech that the United States President Abraham Lincoln gave at the Soldiers Nation Cemetery in Gettysburg. This speech gave appreciation to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the war. -
The Battle for Chattanooga
These battles lasted for about three days and ended with Union victory. These battles forced the Confederate troops back to Georgia while ending the siege of the vital railroad junction. -
The Mine Run Campaign
The Mine Run Campaign was conducted in Orange County, Virginia, and was George Meade's last attempt to destroy General Lee's Army. It occurred in Northern Virginia and ended up failing to do so. -
First Successful Submarine Attack
The Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley attacked the USS Housatonic which ended up killing five of the Union sailors aboard once it sunk. The H.L. Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy warship in the Charleston Harbor. -
Battle of Pleasant Hill
The Batte of Pleasent Hill which has formed part of the Red River Campaign ended with a Union victory. The Federals had casualties totaling 3,100 men and pushed away the Confederate's attack. -
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness was considered an inconclusive victory for either the Confederates or Union. Ulysses S. Grants used this battle as a way to defeat General Lee's Army and capture Richmond, Virginia. -
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles that lasted for days fought in the Western Theater. The goal was to cut off the Confederate supply line as well as capture Atlanta but General William T. Sherman was only able to capture Atlanta through surrender boosting Abraham Lincoln's re-election bid. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
This battle became known as Ulysses S. Grant's second major engagement. in his Overland Campaign. He used it as an offensive to chase down Robert E. Lee's troops and defeat the Confederacy. -
Battle of Brices Crossroads
This battle ended with a victory for the Confederates as they defeated the Union on their Federal expedition from Memphis, Tennessee. -
Battle on Petersburg
Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Robert E. Lee's army and tried to capture the Confederacy's vital supply center. Once he failed to do so, it turned out to be the longest siege in history. -
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
General Joseph E. Johnston's troops lined up on the crests of the mountains to fight off William T. Sherman. It ended with a victory for the Union which had lost about 1,000 men. -
Battle of Monocacy
This battle was to protect the railroad bridge at Monocacy Junction, Maryland. John W. Garrett knew the rail connections at Harper Ferry were important so they brought a force to protect it but ended with a Confederate victory. -
The Battle of Cedar Creek
This battle ended southern resistance in the Shenandoah Valley. Following this, it eliminated the valley as a source of food for the Confederacy. -
The Battle of Averasbourough
The battle was to delay Sherman's troops for at least one day, accomplishing their goal through strategy. It ended up with a Federal win but only through tactics. -
The Battle of Bentonville
This was the largest battle to occur in North Carolina where the Confederate army attempted to defeat the Union Army led by General William T. It ended with a strong Union victory defending their positions. -
Attack on Fort Stedman
General Lee attacked the Union at Fort Stedman to try and loosen General Grant's power over the city. It ended with a Union victory due to their defenses and supply bases. -
The Battle of Five Forks
The battle had forced General Lee to extend his lines outward until they broke so General Grant could move in and position themselves at Petersbrug and Richmond. -
The Fall of Petersburg and Richmond
General Grant had marched his army around Northern Virginia and then crossed the James River to advance his forces into Petersburg. General Lee knew once Petersburg would fall, so would Richmond and tried to reinforce defense, but it ended with a Union victory. -
The Battle of Sailors Creek
The Battle of Sailors Creek was the last major engagement between the Confederate troops of Northern Virginia. The Federals managed to capture one-fourth of General Lee's army. -
General Lee Surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House
General Lee was captured by the Federals in Appomattox Court House and surrendered his Confederate army to General Grant. General Lee wanted to prevent all sorts of destruction to the South as well. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln served as the sixteenth president of the United States of America until he was assassinated in Petersen House, Washington D.C. by John Wilkes Booth. Booth believed the Confederacy could still be restored after Lee surrendered which was his reasoning behind killing Lincoln. -
Jefferson Davis is Captured
Jefferson David, the Confederate States president, was captured in Irwinville, Georgia by the Union army along with his wife. He was imprisoned for two years in Fort Monroe, Virginia, but was never tried for treason. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
The Battle of Palmito Ranch was the last clash between the Union and Confederate forces. It was considered the last battle of the Civil War and occurred exactly one month after General Lee surrendered to General Grant. -
Reconstruction Following Civil War
The Reconstruction following the Civil War was a period after the Civil War was over to reintegrate into the states as well as understand the status of African Americans. -
Presidential Meeting for Black Suffrage
Frederick Douglass led a delegation that contained thirteen representatives of Colored Men to the White House. They had the chance to meet with President Andrew Johnson to decide African Americans that were freed from slavery had the right to vote. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866 is Passed
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was passed that declared any person born in the United States is declared a citizen. No matter their race, gender, or skin color, they had their rights. -
Andrew Johnson Vetos Civil Rights Act
Once the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was passed, giving all born in the United States rights, President Andrew Johnson had vetoed the act. He believed Congress didn't have any right to give guaranteed citizenship to individuals born in the states. -
Congress overrides the Veto of the Civil Rights Act
After Andrew Johnson vetoed the bill passed to support the Thirteenth Amendment, two-thirds of the majority overrode his veto. It later officially became a law without the presidential signature. -
US Congress Passes 14th Amendment
On June 13, 1866, Congress passed the 14th Amendment which extended liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to enslaved people. -
Seven Weeks War Begins
The Seven Weeks War, or known as the Austro-Prussian War, was a major war between two continental powers. This war used the same technologies as the American Civil War. -
Tennessee Readmitted to the Union
The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified by the state legislature to the United States constitution. Once this occurred, Tennessee was the first state to be readmitted to the Union. -
Police Massacre
The Police Massacre of 1866 occurred when white supremacists and ex-Confederates attacked black marchers outside of the Mechanics Institute. This was the location where the Louisiana Constitutional Convention met to respond to the state legislature finalizing Black Codes and limiting their suffrage. -
Restrictive Black Codes
The Black Codes restricted many of the black people's rights such as owning property, conducting any sort of business, buying and selling land, and finally moving through public spaces. -
Black Suffrage
African Americans only were free to so many rights meanwhile most of them still weren't free. Only a fraction, such as the African men, were among the only citizens to just join the voting system. -
African American Men Gained the Right to Vote
African American men gained the opportunity to vote in the District of Columbia only. Congress overrode another one of President Andrew Johnson's vetos and gave them their voting rights. -
First Reconstruction Act Passed
The First Reconstruction Act applied to all of the ex-Confederate states in the South other than Tennessee since they were ratified by the Fourteenth Amendment. This act left the Southern States in confusion as to which role it was to reinforce the legislation. -
Tenure of Office Act
The Tenure of Office Act was a federal law that restricted the power of the president to remove certain office-holders without approval from the Senate. It was passed over Andrew Johnson's veto in 1867. -
Alaska Purchase
The Alaska Purchase was the land obtained from Alaska from the Russian Empire and then Alaska was transferred to the United States. It cost the United States about $7.2 million to purchase Alaska from Russia. -
Frontier Conflicts
General Winfield Scott Hancock had brought his way into war with the Southern Plain Indians trying to gain the same land at Fort Larned. The violence had taken form where tribes trying to stand in the way of American expansion. -
The Ku Klux Klan Reorganizes
At first, the Ku Klux Klan began as an organized group of political and social terrorists during the Reconstruction period. This group had goals to defeat the Republican party as well as the white supremacy to knew gained rights. -
Jefferson Davis Released
After being captured for about two years by Union soldiers in Fort Monroe Virginia, he was finally released by them. Once he was set free, his emotional and physical health had been affected majorly and he had started deteriorating. -
Madicine Lodge Treaty
The Medicine Lodge Treaty was to relegate the Cheyenne to lands south of Fort Larned as well as collect gifts from the U.S. government. The three treaties were signed at Medicine Lodge, Kansas between the Federal government and souther Plains Indian tribes. -
The Grange Founded
The Grange was the Patrons of Husbandry that were used to advance methods of agriculture. Also to promote the social along with economical needs of farmers in the U.S.