Civil War Virtual Timeline

  • South Carolina votes to secede from the United States

    South Carolina votes to secede from the United States

    As it became obvious that Lincoln was going to win, South Carolina saw him as a threat to their slaves and voted to secede from the United States.
  • Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address

    Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address

    This was the speech Lincoln gave at his inauguration. He promised not to interfere with slavery where it already existed. It was too late though as South Carolina had already seceded.
  • Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter

    Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter

    This marked the proper start of the Civil war prior to any battles. Many border states seceded following this event. Over 3,300 shells were fired when the South captured the federal government's fort.
  • Lincoln suspends habeas corpus

    Lincoln suspends habeas corpus

    In order to put down the descent toward the south in the Capitol, Lincoln suspended habeas corpus. Allowing the army to put down the rebels without needing to arrest each one of them. It is an important right that showed the direness of the situation for it to be suspended.
  • Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy

    Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy

    After all the states that would ever leave did, Richmond became the permanent capital of the Confederacy. The war ended when Grant invaded it.
  • Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

    Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

    Lee is the most famous and important General of the Confederacy throughout the war. He was tantamount to any progress the South made and kept the North on their toes until Grant finally defeated him, liberating millions of slaves. This is when he was named General.
  • First Battle of Bull Run is fought

    First Battle of Bull Run is fought

    The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil war. Highlighting how much of a large-scale war this would end up being.
  • Jefferson Davis President of the Confederacy

    Jefferson Davis President of the Confederacy

    Following the Succession of the last Southern states, David was elected president of the Confederacy and they set up the Capitol at Richmond Virginia
  • The Merrimack and the Monitor fight of the Virginia coast

    The Merrimack and the Monitor fight of the Virginia coast

    This was a naval battle in the Civil war off the coast of Virginia. It was significant it was the first sea battle to ever use "ironclads". Marking a point of no return for all future sea battles throughout history.
  • Battle of Shiloh

    Battle of Shiloh

    One of the early battles in the Western area of the Civil War. It was named after a small church where the battle was fought near South Western Tennessee. It was a critical victory for the Union and opened the door for the Battle of Vicksburg.
  • Battle of Antietam

    Battle of Antietam

    The Battle of Antietam was fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Mclellan discovered Lee's war plans wrapped around a cigar. This was the bloodiest battle ever fought in American history. It was a Union victory that led to the Emancipation proclamation and a key victory in the war.
  • Battle of Fredericksburg

    Battle of Fredericksburg

    The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought in Fredericksburg Virginia. It was a victory for the Confederates. The Union lost the opportunity here to advance into Richmond.
  • Emancipation Proclamation is announced

    Emancipation Proclamation is announced

    The Emancipation Proclamation was announced following the Battle of Antietam. At a moment of strength, Lincoln declared the war to be about ending slavery and allowed black people to enlist. This certainly drove the country to win against the Confederates.
  • Battle of Chancellorsville

    Battle of Chancellorsville

    The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle during the heat of the Civil War. It was arguably the biggest victory for the Confederacy in the war. Lee split up his force against an opponent that outnumbered him and successfully defeated the North from it. He called it his "Masterpiece".
  • Battle of Gettysburg

    Battle of Gettysburg

    The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in a field in Pennsylvania It was the last serious invasion attempt of the Confederates. It was a Union victory.
  • Confederates surrender at Vicksburg

    Confederates surrender at Vicksburg

    This marks a turning point in the war as General John C. Pemberton surrenders to Grant at the West Mississippi River in Vicksburg. This splits the Confederacy in two and gives an advantageous city to the Union.
  • New York City Draft Riots

    New York City Draft Riots

    There was a riot in New York upon a new Federal Draft into the Civil war. There were millions of dollars in property damage for about 5 days until they died down.
  • Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address

    Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address

    This is one of the most famous speeches in the history of the United States. It was a turning point in the war in the Union's favor. Lincoln expertly encourages the people to continue fighting while announcing a new burial ground in only 272 words. It is one of the best speeches ever written.
  • Atlanta is captured

    Atlanta is captured

    This is the battle that led to the capture of Atlanta by the Confederates. Ending the Atlanta campaign. It was a big blow to the campaign for Lincoln's reelection and they were in need of a victory after this.
  • Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election

    Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election

    This was a last attempt by the confederates to negotiate. If they could elect someone who was sympathetic to them they could maybe secure independence. That didn't work though and Lincoln defeated McClellan.
  • Sherman begins his March to the Sea

    Sherman begins his March to the Sea

    Sherman began a campaign across Georgia here in order to pull the enemy from their supply line as they live off the land and destroy as they go so the enemy can't do the same. He successfully weakened the Confederates by doing this.
  • Congress passes the 13th Amendment

    Congress passes the 13th Amendment

    The passing of the 13th Amendment is a monumental moment for this whole country, giving African American people so many rights for the first time and abolishing the evilest industry of all time.
  • Freedmen's Bureau is created

    Freedmen's Bureau is created

    In order to accommodate refugees from the South, including slaves to the North, Congress passed the Freedmen's Bureau. It provided food, shelter, and medicine to Southern Refugees. It also oversaw the transition of Black Men from slaves to Free Men.
  • Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

    Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

    This was the speech Lincoln gave only 41 days until his death as he was inaugurated into his second term. He talks about healing the nation as a whole as the Civil War came to a close and it became increasingly obvious the North would win. he wished not to suppress the south but to heal together with them and move forward.
  • Richmond falls to the Union Army

    Richmond falls to the Union Army

    This was the effective end to the War as Lee surrenders very soon after. Putting the Confederacy under the Control of the Union again.
  • Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox

    Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox

    Lee surrenders 28,000 soldiers as well as himself to the Union in Appomattox Virginia. This served as an effective end to any organized resistance by the South. Soon followed by the total surrender of the South.
  • Lincoln Assassinated

    Lincoln Assassinated

    After the Civil War ended, Lincoln attended a play with his family without a care about the Civil Unrest. He was wrong to assume that though, as John Wilks Booth snuck into the booth and shot him in the back of his head.
  • John Wilkes Booth is killed

    John Wilkes Booth is killed

    Lincoln's killer, after being on the run for days, is shot in a burning barn and died minutes later after refusing to surrender to the people pursuing him.