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Period: to
The Civil War
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Lincoln is Elected
November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States, with 1.9 million of the 4.7 million votes cast. Lincoln's election by only 39.8% of the vote was an indication that he would have to deal with problems amongst the nation. -
South Carolina Secedes
After hearing the news of Lincoln's election, the state of South Carolina, with the white population being strongly in favour of slavery, seceded from the United States. -
The Formation of the Confederacy
By February of 1861, six other Southern slave holding states seceded from the United States, following South Carolina in Montgomery, Alabama. By writing their own constitution, they formed the Confederacy, and planned for an independent nation. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter took place from April 12 - April 14 in Charleston, South Carolina President Lincoln decides to resupply Ft. Sumter, but the Fort was bombarded and forced to surrender by the Confederacy, officially starting the American Civil War. No casualties expect for one confederate horse. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
Also known as First Manassas by Confederate Forces, was the first major land battle of the Civil War. Fought in Northern Virginia. The United States General McDowell lead 30,000 men against the Confederate general Johnston's 22,000 Southern troops. The battle was an attempt to crush the rebels. Was a victory for the Confederacy as the Union troops were forced to flee back to Washington in disarray. General McDowell was replaced by general McClellan. -
Battle of Fort Henry & Fort Donelson
Battle of Fort Henry was fought on February 6, 1862.
Battle of Fort Donelson was fought February 11 - February 16, 1862.
Both battles fought on Tennesse Rivers. These battles were the first important victories for the Union. General Grant captured two forts on the Tenesse and Cumberland Rivers, and the Union forced Confederates out of Kentucky and yeild much of Tenesse. -
The Battle of Hampton Roads
Also known as the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack, was fought in Hampton Roads, Virginia on March 8 - 9, 1862. Was the attempt of the Confederacy to break the Union blockade. Was the first ironclad battle to take place and ended in a draw as Virginia (Merrimack) withdraws after a long day of exchanged fire. The Union maintained the the blockade. -
Battle of Shiloh
Also known as Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was fought in Tennesse on April 6 - 7, 1862. General Grant (Union), overcomes Confederate forces in this major battle with significant losses from both sides of the battle. 13,000 Union casualties, 11,000 Southern Casualites. Resulted in a victory for the Union. -
The Capture of New Orleans
Took place between April 25 - May 1, 1862 in Louisiana. Officer Farragut of the Union, seized the largest Confederate city, New Orleans, after attacking Confederate position. A total of 11 Southern ships were sunk by the Union. -
The Peninsula Campaign
A major Union campaign that took place from March through July of 1862 in Southern Virginia. General McClellan decides to attack Richmond through the South. McClellan moves his army down the Potomac, marches on Richmond, and then takes a defensive position. Resulted in many small significant battles (Yorktown, Seven Days' Battle, Fair Oaks, Seven Days Battles). General Lee takes command of the Confederate troops. -
The Second Battle of Bull Run
Also known as Second Manassas, was fought in Northern Virginia between August 28 - 30, 1862. General McClellan was replaced by general Pope, as they wanted a more aggressive general. General Lee & general Stonewall Jackson (Confederate), again, defeat the Union troops at Manassas. Victory for the Confederates. General Pope is relieved of duty and replaced general McClellan. -
Battle of Antietam
Also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought in Maryland on September 17, 1862. Was the first major battle to take place on Union soil. General Lee's troops face general McClellan's troops in a bloody battle. Being heavily outnumbered, general Lee retreats to Virginia. There were over 23,000 casualties (which was more than all previous American wars combined). Victory for Union. -
Emancipation Proclamation
In Washington D.C. on September 23, 1862, President Lincoln announces that,( with victory at Antietam), all slaves in the rebelling states are to be free on January 1, 1863. Did not affect the border states however. This Proclamation forced European nations to recognize that choosing sides in the Civil War is to take a stand on slavery. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Fought in Central Virginia from December 11 - 15, 1862. General Burnside (Union), with his forces attack general Lee's fortified position. Union suffers around 10,000 casualites, Confederates suffer around 5,000 casualties. Resulted in Confederate Victory -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Took place in Northern Virginia between April 30 - May 6, 1863. General Hooker (Union), was defeated by general Lee. Strong casualited for both sides. General Jackson is mistakingly fired upon by his own men and fatally wounded. Victory for Confederates. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Took place in Mississippi between May 18 - July 4, 1863, and was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign. After the seige, Vicksburg is surrendered to general Grant and the entire Mississippi River is under Union control. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Took place in Pennsylvania between July 1 - 3, 1863. Was the largest battle in the Western Hemisphere which over 165,000 soldiers participate in. After bettle, general Lee retreats. Large casualites for both sides ( 23,000 Union, 23,000 Confederates). -
Chattanooga
In Tennesse between November 23 - 25, 1863, general Grant, being reinforced with troops from the East, is able to push Confederate troops back, and prepare to attack the heart of the Confederacy. -
General Grant Promoted
As general Grant prepares to attack Richmond, despite Lincoln's Cabinet complaints about genereal Grant, President Lincoln promotes Grant to lieutenant general and gives him unconditional support and command of all Union troops. -
Battle of the Wilderness
Took place in Orange County, Virginia between May 5 - 7, 1864. Was the first battle of Lt. general Grant's Virginia Overland Campaign. General Lee managed to stop Union troops at the Wilderness, but Grant resumed march to Richmond, regardless of suffering large losses. -
Siege of Petersburg
Also known as The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign, the seige took place from June 9, 1864 - March 25, 1865 in Virginia, South of Richmond. Lt. general Grant focuses railroad junctions and communication outside of Richmond. The seige begins with troops living in trenches which went on for 50 miles. The Seige ended in Union victory. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
A name commonly given to the Savannah Campaign, was conducted in Georgia from November 15, 1864 - December 21, 1864. General Sherman, in an attempt to break the South, destroys Atlanta, and continues to send troops on a 300 mile destructive march to the sea, destroying buildings, tearing railroads, and burning crops. -
General Lee Surrenders
In the Appomattox Court House in Virginia, General Lee of the Confederates, refusing to see his troops suffer anymore, surrenders to Lt. general Grant. The Southern are given generous terms of surrender.
