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Abraham Lincoln Takes Action
President Lincoln sent a war order that allowed the Union to attack Confederacy, but General McClellan ended up ignoring the order. -
McClellan Loses Command
After growing impatient with General McClellan, because he was failing to take action, President Lincoln issued an order to relieve him of supreme command on March 8. -
The Peninsular Campaign
Sir McClellan’s troops left northern Virginia to begin their campaign. By the time they were at Yorktown, Virginia it was May 4th. At Williamsburg, Confederate forces stopped McClellan from meeting the main part of the Confederate army. -
"Stonewall" Jackson Defeats Union Forces
General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson attacked Union forces towards the end of March. This made the Union troops rush to protect Washington, D.C. -
The Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks)
The Confederate army sent an attack of Seven Pines and almost defeated them, but the Union's last-minute reinforcements saved them. The Confederate commander Joseph E. Johnston was left severely injured after the battle. -
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The Seven Days' Battles
During this time period, the Union and Confederate forces had multiple battles all within the span of seven days; Mechanicsville (June 26-27), Gaines's Mill (June 27), Savage's Station (June 29), Frayser's Farm (June 30), and Malvern Hill (July 1). On July 2, the Confederates retreated to Richmond, which led to the end of the Peninsular Campaign. -
A New Commander of the Union Army
A new commander named General Henry Halleck became major on this date. -
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Pope's Campaign
General John Pope was defeated on the second battle of the Bull Run from August 29-30. It was General Fitz-John's fault for them losing because he didn’t commit his troops to battle in time. By 1863 he had been forced out of the army. -
Harper's Ferry
Confederate General Lee was defeated by General McClellan at the south mountain and at Crampton’s Gap in September. Due to arriving late they were unable to save Harper's Ferry and it went into the hands of General "Stonewall" Jackson. -
Antietam
On September 17, when Confederate forces (under General Lee) were caught near their enemies land, the battle that took place proved to be the most violent of the whole war. McClellan was considered the winner only because General Lee withdrew to Virginia. This bloody battle made the French and British decide not to interfere and also allowed for President Lincoln to announce his Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
