U.S History

Lincoln elected president

Nov 6, 1860

Though winning in the electoral college, Lincoln's lack of a popular majority (1.9 million out of 4.7 million votes cast) is an indication of the problems he would face with a divided nation

Lincoln inaugurated

Mar 4, 1861

Lincoln enters Washington D.C. in disguise because of unrest. Southerners begin seizing federal posts.

Ft. Sumter attacked

Apr 12, 1861

Lincoln decides to supply Ft. Sumter, but wants the South to fire the first shot.

Bull Run 1st battle

Jul 21, 1861

Gen. McDowell leads 30,000 men against Gen. Johnston's 22,000 Southern troops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go "On to Richmond." South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray. McDowell replaced by Gen. McClellan

Ft. Henry & Ft. Donelson

Feb 6, 1862

Gen. Grant captures two forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Confederates forced out of Kentucky and yield much of Tennessee

Monitor vs. Merrimac

Mar 9, 1862

First ironclad battle in history ends in a draw as the Merrimac withdraws after daylong exchange of fire. Union blockade of South is maintained

Shiloh

Apr 7, 1862

Grant overcomes Southern forces with heavy losses for each side: 13,000 Union casualties, 11,000 for South

New Orleans

Apr 25, 1862

Farragut seizes New Orleans for Union after boldly attacking Southern position. 11 Southern ships sunk

Peninsular Campaign

Jul 18, 1862

After continual prodding by Lincoln, McClellan decides to attack Richmond via the South. He moves his large army down the Potomac, marches on Richmond, and then assumes a defensive position rather than pushing for victory. Gen. Lee takes command of Southern troops

Bull Run 2nd battle

Aug 28, 1862

McClellan replaced by Gen. Pope. Lee and Gen. Stonewall Jackson defeat Union troops again at Manassas and Pope is replaced by McClellan

Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Heavily outnumbered, Lee's troops face McClellan in bloody fighting. Over 23,000 casualties (more than all previous American wars combined). Lee retreats to Virginia

Emancipation Proclamation

Sep 23, 1862

With victory at Antietam, Lincoln announces that on 1/1/63, all slaves in the rebelling states would be free. Does not affect border states. Forces European nations to recognize that choosing sides in the Civil War is to take a stand on slavery

Chancellorsville

May 6, 1863

Gen. Hooker defeated by Lee, but Jackson is mistakenly shot by his own men and killed.

Gettysburg

Jul 3, 1863

Over 165,000 soldiers participate in the largest battle in the Western Hemisphere. After three days of fighting, Lee retreats, leaving 4,000 dead Confederates. Total casualties: 23,000 Union, 28,000 Confederates

Vicksburg

Jul 4, 1863

After a long siege, Vicksburg surrenders to Grant. All of Mississippi River is now in Union control

Chattanooga

Nov 25, 1863

Reinforced with troops from the East, Grant is able to push Southern troops back and prepare for assault on Atlanta and the heart of the Confederacy

Grant promoted to Lt. General and given command of all Union troops

Mar 1, 1864

Grant prepares for assault on Richmond. When Lincoln's Cabinet complains that Grant is a drunk and seeks to interfere with his command, Lincoln gives him unconditional support and asks not to be notified of his plans.

Wilderness & Spotsylvania

May 5, 1864

Lee stops Union troops at the Wilderness, but Grant resumes march to RichmondThough suffering huge losses (55,000 men to South's 31,000), Grant states "I propose to fight on this line if it takes all summer"

Lee surrenders

Apr 9, 1865

Lee, refusing to see his troops suffer any further, surrenders to Grant. Southern troops given generous terms of surrender

Petersburg

Jul 9, 1865

Grant focuses on important railroad junction and communication outside Richmond. Long siege of Petersburg begins with troops living in trenches which stretched for 50 miles