Civil War Major Events

By angie13

  • The Civil War Begins

    President Lincoln planned to send supplies to Fort Sumter. To avoid hostility, he forewarned the state. South Carolina fearing trickery was at hand, and Commander Anderson was asked to surrender immediately. Anderson offered to surrender only after using all of his supplies. His offer was rejected, and the Civil War began with shots fired at Fort Sumter. (Fort Sumter was eventually surrendered to South Carolina.) It was the realization of the North this was not just a short battle.
  • Period: to

    The Civil War

    The time period when the Union and Confederacy were in war about slavery. President Lincoln was president during the time period, and his assassination is included in the timeline.

  • The Battle of Shiloh

    On April 6, Confederate forces attack General Grant’s forces at Shiloh, Tennessee. At the end of the day, federal troops were nearly defeated. Through the night, reinforcements arrive, and by the morning Union were in control. When Confederate forces retreated, the federal forces didn’t follow. Casualties were bad for both sides.

  • The Battle of Seven Pines

    On May 31, the Confederates attack the federal army at Seven Pines. They nearly defeat the federals. Last-minute reinforcements save Union from a severe defeat. Confederate Commander Johnson was badly wounded, and command fell to Lee.

  • The Seven Days' Battle

    During the week of June 26 and July 2, Union and Confederates fought a series of battles:
    • Mechanicsville—June 26, 27
    • Gaines’ Mill—June 27
    • Savage’s Station—June 29
    • Frayser’s Farm—June 30
    • Malvern Hill—July 1

  • Antietam

    On September 17, Confederate’s General Lee’s army was captured by General McClellan near Sharpsburg, Maryland. The battle proved to be the bloodiest day of war; 2,108 Union soldiers were killed, and another 9,549 were wounded—2,700 Confederates were killed and left 9,029 injured. There was no direct win in this battle, although General Lee withdrew to Virginia, so McClellan was considered victorious. This battle convinced the French and British—who were considering joining the Confederates—to wi

  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Attempting to allay the border slave states, Lincoln offered the Emancipation Proclamation. It was more of symbolic gesture rather than an enforceable law. In the Emancipation Proclamation, it freed the slaves where the Union did not have control over and allowed them to join the Union’s army.

  • The Battle of Chancellorsville

    On April 27, Union’s General Hooker crossed the Rappahannock River to attack General Lee’s army. Lee split his army, and attacked General Hooker’s forces in three places, and nearly defeating them completely. Hooker returned across the river, and gave the South a victory. This was the costliest battle for Confederates with the most causality.

  • Battle of Gettysburg

    On July 1, Lee’s forces attack the Confederates from north and northwest, collapsing the Union lines. Despite significant loss, Union held their lines. On the third day of battle, 12,500 Confederates assaulted the center of Union line (known as Pickett’s Charge). Confederates lost a great amount of soldiers, and retreated to Virginia.

  • The Battle of Cold Harbor

    Grant attacked the Confederates at Cold Harbor. Grant lost over 7,000 men in 20 minutes. Although Lee suffered little casualties, his army was weakened by Grant’s continual attacks. This was Lee’s last clear victory of the war.

  • A Chance of Reconciliation is Lost

    Confederates President Davis agreed to send delegates to a peace conference with President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward. He also insisted it was mandatory for the South to be free. Lincoln refused and the conference did not take place.

  • Confederates Surrender

    Lee surrenders his army at the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House. Grant respectfully allows Lee to keep his saber and horse.

  • Lincoln's Assassination

    President Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Lincoln died early the next morning, and Johnson takes office. John Wilkes Booth, a member of a conspiracy, entered the presidential box and shot Lincoln in the back of his head. Booth not only wanted Lincoln dead, he wanted the vice president and secretary of state dead also.

  • The Last Battles

    The last major battles were fought at the Battle of Columbus, Georgia, and Battle of West Point, when a Confederate army was unaware of Lee’s surrender. Both towns surrendered to Wilson’s Raiders.