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The Attack of Fort Sumter
President Lincoln said that he would not recognize secession because it would break down the Union. In response, the South (Confederacy) attacked Fort Sumter. This marked the beginning of the Civil War. -
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Events of the Civil War
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First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War. The Confederates won this battle. The Union loss diminished the North's hopes of winning the war quickly. -
Battle of Pea Ridge
This battle played a huge role in securing Missouri for the Union. It also opened Arkansas up for occupation by the Union. -
Battle of Shiloh
Part of the Union's strategy was to gain control of the Mississippi River. Lee had a surprise attack on Grant's army, but lost. Though they didn't have complete control of the Mississippi, this victory strenghthend the Union's hold on it. -
Seven Days' Battles
The Seven Days' Battles were a series of battles fought that forced the Union army to retreat from Richmond. -
The Second Battle of Bull Run
Ordered from President Lincoln, John Pope marched directly on to Richmond from Washington. Wanting to defeat Pope's army before reaching McClellan's, Jackson troops met Pope's in Virginia and defeated them in the 3 day battle. -
Battle of Antietam
Robert E. Lee had the idea that if he could win a battle on Northern Territory, the war would be ended. With the Union victory at Antietam, the Union quickly stopped Lee's advancement. The battle of Antietam is known as the most bloodiest single-day battle of the Civil War. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln, officially set all slaves in the rebelling territory free. -
Siege of Vicksburg
This battle is considered one of the major changing points of the Civil War. The Union was able to gain complete control of the Mississippi River. -
West Virginia Becomes a State
"Mountaineers Are Always Free" is the state motto of West Virginia. The phrase reflects the history and identity of the state and indicates how West Virginia became the 35th state in the Union. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickama was the most significant Union defeat of the Western Theater. -
Gettysburg Address
One of the most famous speeches in U.S. history. It was delivered by Lincoln during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg. -
Battle of Chattanooga
General Braxton Braggs (Confederacy) commanded the siege on Chattanooga, shortly after the Confederacy defeat at Chickamauga. The Union won. -
Battle of Spotsylvania
This two-week battle was a series of combats along the Spotsylvania front. It ended up being one of the costliest battles of the campaign (estimated 30,000 casualities). Inconclusive battle, but the Confederacy had less casualities than the Union. -
The Battle of Cold Harbor
On the mission to capture Richmond, Ulysses S. Grant continued forward to Cold Harbor, but Lee was prepared. This was one of Lee's last big victories of the Civil War. -
Siege of Petersburg
The reason why the Union fought so long at this battle was because it was the major railway hub for the capital of the Confederates (Richmond, VA) Eventually, Lee's army is forced to surrender. -
LIncoln's Reelection
Lincoln easily won the election of 1864. One of his main goals of his new term was to restore the Union. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
William Sherman's campaign began with the capture of Atlanta and ended with capturing the port of Savannah. Sherman destroyed everything in his way. -
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
April 9th, 1865, the Union and Confederates engaged in their last battle before the Confederates surrendered. The Union had won the American Civil War. -
Lincoln's Assassination
President Lincoln was shot while watching the play "Our American Cousin" with his wife Mary Todd Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He died early the next morning.
