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Lincoln Elected
LIncoln was elected on November 6, 1860 as the 16th president and the first Republican president. He beat Stephen Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell. Though, he only won 40 percent of the popular vote, he won most of the electoral votes. -
Southern Secession
Almost immediately after Lincoln was elected, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas seceded from the Union and formed the Confederacy. Later on, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia seceded and joined the Confederacy. -
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Civil War
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Lincoln's inauguration
Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4th in 1861 at a time when our nation was in crisis. 7 states had already seceded and 4 more were following. Lincoln's inaugural address was an important speech as he was laying out his plan to be the commander in chief of the Union. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The attack on Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the civil war. Confederate batteries opened fire on the Fort while Union soldiers were greatly outnumbered and did not have as much ammunition. They defended the fort for as long as possible until surrending two days later. Amazingly there were no casualties on either side and the Union troops were honored. -
First Battle at Bull Run
The first battle of Bull Run, also known as the Battle of FIrst Manassas was fought in Virginia. It was the first major battle of the Civil War. The goal of the Union was to capture Bull Run and pave a way to capture the Confederate Capital and end the war. Confederate forces were victorious in battle and forced the Union to retreat, yet they were too disorganized to pursue the Union. There were 4,878 casualties on both sides and the battle proved the war would be long. -
Battle of Shiloh
After the Confederates retreated from Kentucky to Corinth, Mississippi, the Union general Ulysses S. Grant was planning an attack. The Confederates, however, attacked first, surpising Union forces. Yet the Union resisted and fought defensively until the Confderates retreated, ending the stalemate. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the single bloodiest day in military history. Union troops under General McClellan confronted Confederates under General Lee at Sharpsburg, Maryland. -
Vicksburg Campaign
The Vicksburg campaign began in winter of 1862 and continued on throughout 1863, picking up speed during the spring and into the summer. It consisted of many battles in territories controlled by Confederates in Mississippi. The siege of Vicksburg went on from May 18 to July 4 in 1863. -
Emancipation Proclamtion
Presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln that freed slaves in confederate states. -
Gettysburg Campaign
The Gettysburg campaign began in early June and concluded at the battle of Gettysburg, which took plsce July 1-July 3 1863. The campaign started when General Lee received orders to push on and invade the North. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech delievered by president LIncoln in which he honored the dead Union soldieres after the bloody battle of Gettysburg and also reminded the listeners of the purpose the soliders sacrificed. -
Fort FIsher, North Carolina
The attack on Fort Fisher was an assault by the Union army, navy, and marine corps against fort fisher, outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the Civil War. It was the last major coastal stronghold of the Confederacy. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse/Fall of the Confederacy
The surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia was one of the final battles between Grant's and Lee's army before Lee surrendered. -
Lincoln's Assassination
While Lincoln was attending the play "Our American Cousin", John Wilkes Booth slipped into his box and fired hsi .44 caliber single shot derringer into the back of LIncoln's head.