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Civil War timeline
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Abraham Lincoln gives his Cooper Union speech
On this day, Abraham Lincoln gives his Cooper Unions speech in New York City. He was not yet the Republican nominee for the presidency . -
The Pony Express begins its first run
On this day, the Pony Express begins its first run from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. It would start a new way for transportation -
U.S. constitutional Union Party Hold a convention
On this day, the U.S. Constitutional Union Party holds its convention and nominates John Bell for the President of the United States. John Bell would go on to lose the election -
Abraham Lincoln is selected as U.S. Presidential candidate.
On this day,Abraham Lincoln was selected as the U.S. Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. Lincoln would go on to win the election -
The Stone's Prairie Riot
On this day, the Stone's Prairie Riot takes place in Payson and Plainville, Illinois between the Republican Wide Awakes and armed Democratic supporters of Stephen A. Douglas. -
The Lady Elgin sank
On this day, the Lady Elgin is accidentally rammed and sunk in Lake Michigan; more than 400 drown. It was rammed by the Schooner Augusta -
Lincoln elected as president
On this day, Abraham Lincoln is elected as President of the United States. He had 180 electoral votes and 1,865,593 popular votes -
Senator John J. Crittenden proposes the Crittenden Compromise
On this day, Senator John J. Crittenden proposes the so called Crittenden Compromise hoping to resolve the U.S. secession crisis. It would later fail and southern states would soon secede. -
South Carolina secedes from the United States.
On this day, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the United States. More states would follow soon after, causing panic in the U.S. -
South Carolina issues the "Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union",
On this Day, South Carolina issues the "Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union". It explained its reasons for seceding from the United States -
Mississippi secedes from the United States
On this day, Mississippi secedes from the United States. It was the second state to secede from the United States -
Florida secedes from the United States
On this day, Florida secedes from the United States.It become the third states to secede from the United States -
Alabama secedes from the United States
On this day, Alabama secedes from the United States.It becomes the fourth states to secede from the United States. -
Georgia secedes from the United States
On this day, Georgia secedes from the United States. It become the fifth states to secede from the United States -
Louisiana secedes form the United States
On this day, Louisiana secedes from the Unites States. It becomes the sixth state to secede from the United States -
Texas secedes from the United States
On this day, Texas secedes from the United States. It becomes the seventh state to secede from the United States -
Confederate States of America is formed
On this day ,the Confederate States of America (C.S.A). is formed. Jefferson Davis is the first and last Confederate President for the C.S.A -
Abraham Lincoln becomes President
On this day, Lincoln becomes the 16th president of the United States. He represented the Republican Party -
C.S.A declares war
On this day, the C.S.A declares war on the United States by Jefferson Davis. The first battle also begins in Fort Sumter where 4,00 rounds are fired and no one dies -
the 1st Battle of Bull Run happens
On this day, the 1st Battle of Bull run happens. The South wins and gets a morale boost -
President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1
On this day, President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1. Calling for all United States naval and land forces to begin a general advance by February 22, George Washington's birthday. -
Victory for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in Tennessee,
On this day, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was victorious in Tennessee, capturing Fort Henry, and ten days later Fort Donelson. Grant earns the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. -
Confederate surprise attack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant'
On this day, confederate surprise attack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared troops at Shiloh on the Tennessee River results in a bitter struggle with 13,000 Union killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates, more men than in all previous American wars combined. The president is then pressured to relieve Grant but resists. "I can't spare this man; he fights," Lincoln says -
Union ships move up the Mississippi River
On this day, 17 Union ships under the command of Flag Officer David Farragut move up the Mississippi River then take New Orleans, the South's greatest seaport. Later in the war, sailing through a Rebel mine field Farragut utters the famous phrase "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" -
The Battle of Seven Pines
On this day, The Battle of Seven Pines as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army attacks McClellan's troops in front of Richmond and nearly defeats them. But Johnston is badly wounded. -
Gen. Robert E. Lee assumes command
On this day, Gen. Robert E. Lee assumes command, replacing the wounded Johnston. Lee then renames his force the Army of Northern Virginia. McClellan is not impressed, saying Lee is "likely to be timid and irresolute in action." -
The Seven Days Battles
On this day, The Seven Days Battles starts as Lee attacks McClellan near Richmond, resulting in very heavy losses for both armies. McClellan then begins a withdrawal back toward Washington. -
Second battle of Bull Run
On this day, 75,000 Federals under Gen. John Pope are defeated by 55,000 Confederates under Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Gen. James Longstreet at the second battle of Bull Run in northern Virginia. Once again the Union Army retreats to Washington. The president then relieves Pope. -
the Battle of Antietam
On this day, the bloodiest day in U.S. military history as Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland by McClellan and numerically superior Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. Lee then withdraws to Virginia. -
The Battle of Fredericksburg
On this day, Army of the Potomac under Gen. Burnside suffers a costly defeat at Fredericksburg in Virginia with a loss of 12,653 men after 14 frontal assaults on well entrenched Rebels on Marye's Heights. "We might as well have tried to take hell," a Union soldier remarks. Confederate losses are 5,309. -
President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation
On this day, President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and emphasizes the enlisting of black soldiers in the Union Army. The war to preserve the Union now becomes a revolutionary struggle for the abolition of slavery. -
The U.S. Congress enacts a draft
On this day, the U.S. Congress enacts a draft, affecting male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exempts those who pay $300 or provide a substitute. "The blood of a poor man is as precious as that of the wealthy," poor Northerners complain -
Chancellorsville
On this day ,the Union Army under Gen. Hooker is decisively defeated by Lee's much smaller forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia as a result of Lee's brilliant and daring tactics. Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson is mortally wounded by his own soldiers. Hooker retreats. -
President Lincoln appoints Gen. George G. Meade as commander
On this day, President Lincoln appoints Gen. George G. Meade as commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Hooker. Meade is the 5th man to command the Army in less than a year. -
Vicksburg
On this day, Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, surrenders to Gen. Grant and the Army of the West after a six week siege. With the Union now in control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy is effectively split in two, cut off from its western allies. -
Anti-draft riots
On this day, anti-draft riots in New York City include arson and the murder of blacks by poor immigrant whites. At least 120 people, including children, are killed and $2 million in damage caused, until Union soldiers returning from Gettysburg restore order. -
'Negro troops' of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
On this day, 'Negro troops' of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment under Col. Robert G. Shaw assault fortified Rebels at Fort Wagner, South Carolina. Col. Shaw and half of the 600 men in the regiment are killed. -
President meets with Frederick Douglas
On this day, the President meets with abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Who pushes for full equality for Union 'Negro troops.' -
Chckamuaga
On this day, a decisive Confederate victory by Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee at Chickamauga leaves Gen. William S. Rosecrans' Union Army of the Cumberland trapped in Chattanooga, Tennessee under Confederate siege. -
President Lincoln deliver Gettysburg Address
On this day, President Lincoln delivers a two minute Gettysburg Address. At a ceremony dedicating the Battlefield as a National Cemetery. -
President Lincoln appoints Gen. Grant to command all of the armies of the United States
On this day, President Lincoln appoints Gen. Grant to command all of the armies of the United States. Gen. William T. Sherman succeeds Grant as commander in the west. -
the beginning of a massive, coordinated campaign involving all the Union Armies
On this day, the beginning of a massive, coordinated campaign involving all the Union Armies. In Virginia, Grant with an Army of 120,000 begins advancing toward Richmond to engage Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, now numbering 64,000. -
Grant makes mistakes involves in 7,000 casualties
On this day, a costly mistake by Grant results in 7,000 Union casualties in twenty minutes. During an offensive against fortified Rebels at Cold Harbor in Virginia. -
Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg
On this day, Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off the Confederate rail lines. As a result, a nine month siege of Petersburg begins with Grant's forces surrounding Lee. -
Atlanta is captured by Sherman's Army.
On this day,Atlanta is captured by Sherman's Army. "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won," Sherman telegraphs Lincoln. The victory greatly helps President Lincoln's bid for re-election. -
A decisive Union victory by Cavalry Gen. Philip H. Sheridan
On this day, a decisive Union victory by Cavalry Gen. Philip H. Sheridan. In the Shenandoah Valley over Jubal Early's troops. -
Lincoln wins re-election
On this day,Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president, defeating Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln carries all but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes. -
Sherman's men begin to March to the Sea
On this day, after destroying Atlanta's warehouses and railroad facilities, Sherman, with 62,000 men begins a March to the Sea. President Lincoln on advice from Grant approved the idea. "I can make Georgia howl!" Sherman boasts. -
Hood's Rebel Army of 23,000 is crushed at Nashville
On this day, Hood's Rebel Army of 23,000 is crushed at Nashville by 55,000 Federals including Negro troops under Gen. George H. Thomas. The Confederate Army of Tennessee ceases as an effective fighting force. -
Sherman reaches Savannah in Georgia
On this day, Sherman reaches Savannah in Georgia leaving behind a 300 mile long path of destruction 60 miles wide all the way from Atlanta. Sherman then telegraphs Lincoln, offering him Savannah as a Christmas present. -
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment
On this day, the U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery. The amendment is then submitted to the states for ratification. -
Inauguration ceremonies for President Lincoln in Washington.
On this day, inauguration ceremonies for President Lincoln in Washington. "With malice toward none; with charity for all...let us strive on to finish the work we are in...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations," Lincoln says. -
The last offensive for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia
On this day,the last offensive for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia begins with an attack on the center of Grant's forces at Petersburg. Four hours later the attack is broken. -
Grant's forces begin a general advance
On this day, Grant's forces begin a general advance and break through Lee's lines at Petersburg. Confederate Gen. Ambrose P. Hill is killed. Lee evacuates Petersburg. The Confederate Capital, Richmond, is evacuated. Fires and looting break out. -
President Lincoln tours Richmond
On this day, President Lincoln tours Richmond where he enters the Confederate White House. With "a serious, dreamy expression," he sits at the desk of Jefferson Davis for a few moments. -
Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders
On this day, Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Grant allows Rebel officers to keep their sidearms and permits soldiers to keep horses and mules. -
Lincoln gets shot
On this day, Lincoln and his wife Mary see the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater. At 10:13 p.m., during the third act of the play, John Wilkes Booth shoots the president in the head. Doctors attend to the president in the theater then move him to a house across the street. He never regains consciousness. -
Lincoln dies
On this day, President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 in the morning. Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency. -
John Wilkes Booth was shot and killed
On this day, John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia. The search for him was 11 days. -
Abraham Lincoln is laid to rest
On this day, Abraham Lincoln is laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, outside Springfield, Illinois. He was 56 years old -
The second United States Capitol dome is completed
The second United States Capitol dome is completed in Washington, D.C. after 11 years of work. It still survives to the modern day. -
United States Congress passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866,
On this day, the United States Congress overwhelmingly passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The first federal legislation to protect the rights of African-Americans -
U.S. Congress approves the minting of a nickel 5-cent coin
On this day, the U.S. Congress approves the minting of a nickel 5-cent coin. Eliminating its predecessor, the half dime. -
Metric Act of 1866
On this day, The Metric Act of 1866 becomes law. It legalizes the use of the metric system for weights and measures in the United States. -
Congress pass Judicial Circuits Act
On this day, the Judicial Circuits Act reduces the number of United States circuit courts to nine and the number of Supreme Court justices to seven. -
Tennessee becomes the first U.S. state to be readmitted
On this day, Tennessee becomes the first U.S. state to be readmitted to the Union following the American Civil War.Many more states would come to join soon -
U.S. Congress passes legislation authorizing the rank of General of the Army
On this day, the U.S. Congress passes legislation authorizing the rank of General of the Army. Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant becomes the first to have this rank. -
National Union Convention is held in Philadelphia
On this day, the National Union Convention is held in Philadelphia.With hopes to reconcile the Radical Republicans in Congress with the Reconstructionist policies of President Andrew Johnson -
President Andrew Johnson goes on his Swing Around the Circle tour
On this day, President Andrew Johnson starts to go on his Swing Around the Circle speaking tour. To gain support for his Reconstructionist policies and Democratic Party candidates in the upcoming election -
The Second Plenary Council of American Roman Catholic bishops is held
On this day, the Second Plenary Council of American Roman Catholic bishops is held in Baltimore. It last 15 days -
African American men are given the right to vote
On this day, African American men are granted the right to vote in the District of Columbia. Many people are not happy with this -
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act
On this day, Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act. Denying the right of the President to remove officials who had been appointed with the consent of Congress. -
Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousand of votes cast by Negroes
On this day, Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousand of votes cast by Negroes. Who were granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
General Philip Sheridan assumes command of the 5th Military district
On this day, General Philip Sheridan assumes command of the 5th Military district encompassing Louisiana and Texas. He designates New Orleans as his headquarters. -
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act over Andrew Johnson's veto
On this day, Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act over Andrew Johnson's veto. This act made it more easier of the southern states to tell who will enforce the legislation. -
United States purchase Alaska
On this day, Alaska is purchased for $7.2 million from Alexander II of Russia, about 2 cent/acre, by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward. The news media call this "Seward's Folly. -
Congress passes a bill to admit the seceded states.
On this day, Congress passes a bill admitting Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas. Having refused to ratify the fourteenth amendment, were refused admission into the Union -
Sioux and Cheyenne war party kills U.S. Second Lieutenant Lyman Kidder
On this day, a Sioux and Cheyenne war party kills U.S. Second Lieutenant Lyman Kidder. Also along with an Indian scout and ten enlisted men in Kansas. -
Edwin Stanton suspended by President Andrew Johnson
On this day, Edwin Stanton suspended by President Andrew Johnson. This was because Edwin Stanton did not resign -
Russia turns over Alaska to the United States
On this day, Russia turns over Alaska to the United States. Alaska will become a major source of resources
