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Abraham Lincoln Elected President (first term)
At Lincoln's inauguration on March 4, the new president said he had no plans to end slavery in those states where it already existed, but he also said he would not accept secession. He hoped to resolve the national crisis without warfare. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The Civil War begins during the battle at Fort Sumter. The outcome of the first battle was a Confederate victory! A shock to the Union, mostly because now their hopes of winning the war quickly and easily have been ruined. -
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Civil War
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First Battle of Bull Run
On July 21, 1861 McDowell marched down to Virginia and attacked Jacksons army. Then the confederates demolished the Unions right flank. This was the first major land battle of the armies in Virginia. -
The Battle of Shiloh
The battle began when 40,000 Confederates commanded by Johnston poured out of the woods and attacked the Union soliders near the Tennessee River. Johnston was mortially wounded and replaced by Beauregard. The counterattack made by Beaurgard won the battle. This battle wasthe bloodiest battle in American history at its time and produced 23,000 casualties. -
The Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks)
Johnston attacked two Federal corps that appeared isolated south of the Chickahominy River. Both sides inflicted heavy casualties. Johnston was again wounded and replaced by Smith. Both sides claimed victory. Confederate brigadier Robert H. Hatton was killed. -
The Battle of Chattanooga
Braggs army cutt off the supplies of the Union under command of Rosecrans. Grant commanding the west reinforced those supplies. Union captured Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain and held the "Gateway to the lover South." Union victory. -
Seven Day's Battle
It was a series of six major battles over the seven days. Lee's army drove the invading Union forces commanded by McCllelan away from Richmond and down the Virginia Peninsula. It is also known as the Seven Days Campaign. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Jackson and his forces was sent to protect the town of Gordonsville against the Pope. Longstreet, supported by Jackson, swept Pope from the field. The Union forces retreated across Bull Run, badly defeated. -
The Battle of Antietam
The Army of the Potomac, under the command of George McClellan, mounted a series of powerful assaults against Robert E. Lee’s forces near Sharpsburg, Maryland. The bloodiest single day in American military history resulted in a draw, but the Confederate retreat gave Lincoln victory and inspired him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
The Battle Fredericksburg
Burnside commanding the Union planned to crush Lee's southern flank on Prospect Hill while the rest of his army held Longstreet. Jacksons counterattack destroyed this plan. Both sides suffered major casualties.Lincoln removed Burnside from command of the Army of the Potomac. This was one of the largest and deadliest of the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The proclamation was to restore peace and Union control amidst the civil war. It highlighted the freedom of slaves and the elimination of rebellions. Although some slaves were not freed instantly, especially the border states. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Hooker closed up on the Chancellorsville intersection, but Lee pushed him back. Lee's victory at Chancellorsville is widely considered to be his greatest of the entire war. The loss of Jackson is greater than both of the losses on either side. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Grant led his Union forces to investigate Vicksburg and entrapp Confederate forces under Pemberton. The confederates then surrendered the city. Grant's successes in the West boosted his reputation giving him the title of General-In-Chief. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
Lee went North to PA and attacked against Meade. But the Union regained their lost ground.Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetery Ridge and lost which is called Picketts Charge. This was a Union victory. -
The Battle of Chickamauga
Rosecrans aimed to force the Confederates out of Chattanooga by scattering his army in Tennessee and Georgia and pushed Braggs army south. Braggs planned a counterattack to win back Chikamauga and was successful. -
Gettysburg Address
In this adress Lincoln expressed the consequences of war. It drove home the ideals of human equality and democracy being a government of, for and by the people. Lincolns speech refined the Civil War. -
The Battle of Cold Harbor
Sheridan’s forces seized the vital crossroads of Old Cold Harbor. The Union successfully attacked the Confederate infantry led by Grant. Grant then moved his troops south to Petersburg. -
The Siege of Petersburg
Meades army crossed the James River while Butlers crossed the Appomattox River and the defenders of Beaurgard were pushed back to Harrison Creek. The Confederates lost their seige on Petersburg and General Morton was killed. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
Lee and Gordon's forces formed outside the Courthouse planning to reach his supplies at Lynchburg. The arrival of Union infantry commanded by Grant, stopped any Confederate advance. This was the final engagement of the war in Virginia. -
Assassination of President Lincoln
John Booth entered the presidential box at Fords Theatre and fatally shot the President.Lincoln was then carried across the street to Petersen's Boarding House, where he died early the next morning.
