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Civil War Timeline
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Pemberton Mill Collapses
Pemberton Mill, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, collapses trapping 500 people in the ruins and eventually ends up killing 250 people after catching on fire. -
Lincoln's Speech in Illinois
Abraham Lincoln, a lawyer from Springfield, Illinois, gave a speech at Cooper Union in New York City.Lincoln spoke about how he is against slavery. This speech is what put him as a leading candidate for the upcoming presidential election. -
Abraham Lincoln Visits Five Points
Abraham Lincoln visited the Five Points, the infamous slum. He spent time with children at a Sunday school. -
The Pony Express
The Pony Express was a mail service created that used horseback riders in 157 Pony Express relay stations across the prairies, plains, deserts, and mountains of the Western United States to deliver messages between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts in about 10 days. -
Homestead Act is Vetoed
A Homestead Act that was providing federal land grants to Western settlers is vetoed by President Buchanan under pressure from the South. The veto divides Buchanan's democratic party, clearing the way for Abraham Lincoln's election. -
Albert Hicks is Hanged
Albert Hicks, a pirate convinced of murder, was hanged on present day Liberty Island in New York Harbor before thousands of spectators. -
Severe Drought in Kansas
A severe drought leads to an evacuation of 30,000 settlers from Kansas. -
The 16th President is Elected
Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States. He is the first Republican president who represents a party that opposes the spread of slavery in the United States -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
South Carolina is the first of 11 states to secede from the Union. -
Major Anderson Moves His Troops
Major-General Robert Anderson moves his troops from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. -
Star of the West Retreats
An unarmed merchant ship called Star of the West arrives in Charleston harbor with troops and supplies to reinforce Fort Sumter. This ship is fired upon and is forced to retreat. Also on this day, Mississippi secedes from the Union. -
Crittenden Compromise is Refused
The senate refuses to consider the Crittenden Compromise. This was an attempt to ease tension between the North and the South. -
The Confederate States of America are Formed
The southern states that seceded create a government. This government is created in Montgomery, Alabama. The Confederate States of America are formed. -
The First President of the Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis is chosen to be the first president of the Confederate States of America. This takes place in Montgomery ], Alabama. -
The Inauguration of the 16th President
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the sixteenth president of the United States. This takes place in Washington, D.C. -
The Civil War Begans
Southern forces fire upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina. This officially starts the Civil War. -
President Lincoln Issues a Proclamation
President Lincoln issues a public declaration and calls for 75,000 militia to stop the rebellion. As a result of this, four more states secede from the union -
Lincoln Blocks Southern Ports
President Lincoln announces a blockade against southern ports.This blockade limits the South from being able to stay well supplied for the war. -
Tennessee is the Last State to Secede
Tennesse is the last state to secede from the union making that a total of 11 states that seceded from the union. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
The battle of Bull Run was the first official battle of the Civil War. The reason Fort Sumter was not considered the first battle is because no one died. -
Fort Henry is Surrendered
Fort Henry is surrendered in Tenessee. This loss let the Union take control over the river. -
Fort Donelson is Surrendered
The second fort in Tennessee is surrendered. This left the Cumberland River in the Unions hands. This is where Ulysses S. Grant earned his nickname "Unconditional Surrender". -
The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was the first major battle in Tennessee. Ulysses S. Grant leads the Union soldiers to a victory. -
Fleet of Gunships Demand Surrender of New Orleans
A Union fleet of gunships arrives at New Orleans where they demand the surrender of the city. The Union takes control of the forts within two days. -
First Battle of Winchester
General "Stonewall" Jackson attacks Union forces at Winchester, Virginia. He successfully drives them from the city. -
The Battle of Seven Pines
General Joseph Johnston, commander of the Confederate army from Virginia, is wounded. He is replaced by Robert E. Lee -
The Seven Days' Battles
The Seven Days' battles were a series of battles that took place from June 25, 1862 to July 1, 1862.General Lee and his army attack the Army from the Potomac under General George McClellan. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
fought one year after the first battle of Bull Run. Union army was defeated and retreated to Washington. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland was the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War. The war resulted in a Union victory. -
The Emancipation Proclamation is Introduced
After the Union had a victory in Sharpsburg, Maryland, President Lincoln introduced the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order that freed every slave in Confederate states. -
The Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River, Tennessee was fought between The Union Army of Cumberland under General William Rosecrans and the Confederate Army of Tennessee commanded by General Braxton Bragg. The Union victory frees middle Tennessee from confederate control. -
Emancipation Proclamation Goes Into Effect
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect . Some feel this was not a far enough stretch to abolish slavery. -
Joseph Hooker Appointed as Commander
President Lincoln appointed General Joseph Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Hooker replaces Burnside. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was General Lee's greatest victory. -
Stonewall Jackson Crumbles Down
General "Stonewall Jackson is wounded in the Battle of Chancellorsville and dies on May 10. -
Attack on Gettysburg
Union soldiers set fire to the bridge over the Susquehanna River. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg becomes the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Robert E.Lee's hopes of successfully invading the North are crushed. -
Vicksburg Surrenders
Vicksburg, Mississippi surrenders to the Union Army. The Union Army serves under grant. -
Union Naval Forces Attack
Union naval forces attack Confederate defenses near Charleston, South Carolina. -
New York City Draft Riots
Rioting over war drafting begins in New York City. The Rioters target the rich, the draft office, and African Americans who volunteer for combat. -
The Battle of Chickamauga
The Union Army from Cumberland is defeated under General William Rosecrans. The Confederate Army from Tennessee commanded by General Braxton Bragg defeats them. -
First Successful Submarine Attack
First successful submarine attack takes place outside of Charleston, South Carolina. The CSS H.L. Hunley attacked the USS Housatonic. The USS Housatonic broke apart and sank taking all but 5 of the crew members with it. The CSS H.L. was lost and never found again until 1995. -
Andersonville Prison Camp Opens
Andersonvillle Prison Camp opens up in Georgia. Gets a bad reputation for being overcrowded and having a high death rate among inmates. -
Ulysses S. Grant is Appounted Leutenant General
Ulysses S. Grant is appointed lieutenant general. This rank was revived at the request of President Lincoln. -
Capture of Fort Pillow
Confederate soldiers under Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked the Union army at Fort Pillow. After the Union army surrendered, African Americans were still murdered by angry Confederate troops. -
Grant's Mistake at Cold Harbor
General Grant makes a costly mistake resulting in 7,000 Union casualties within twenty minutes. The Union army was fighting against Rebels in Cold Harbor, Virginia. -
Abraham Lincoln Nominated for Second Term
Abraham Lincoln is nominated by his party for a second term as president. -
Third Battle of Winchester
Union forces under General Philip Sheridan attacked the Confederate army under Jubal Early and drove them towards the south. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected for His Second Term
Abraham Lincoln is reelected as president and serves his second term. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Union General Sherman begins his March to the Sea, causing destruction 300 miles long and 60 miles wide through Georgia. -
Battle of Nashville
Battle of Nashville, Tennessee ended in a Union victory. Confederate army under John Bell Hood is defeated. The threat to Tennessee ends. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. -
Battle of Appomattox Court House
At the Appomattox Court House Lee and Grant discuss terms. Lee signs document of surrender. -
The Army of Northern Virginia Surrenders
On April 12, the army of Northern Virginia under General Lee formally surrenders and is disbanded -
President Lincoln is Assassinated
President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. -
Lincoln's Assassin is Killed
John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia -
Jefferson Davis is Captured
Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured near Irwinville, Georgia. -
Final Battle of the Civil War
The final battle of the Civil War takes place at Palmito Ranch, Texas. This battle was a Confederate victory. -
Civil War Officially Ends
General Simon Bolivar Buckner enters into terms for surrender of the Army of the Trans- Mississippi, which are agreed to on June 2, 1865. The Civil War officially ends. -
Slavery is Abolished
The Thirteenth amendment is passed by congress for the United States Constitution. Slavery is abolished. -
Klu Klux Klan is Formed
A group if confederate veterans form a secret society called the "Klu Klux Klan". This society was created to make sure local African Americans did not gain civil and legal rights. -
Reconstruction Following the Civil War
Congress removed civilian governments and replaced them with former Confederacy under rule of the United States Army. The army then organized new elections in which freed slaves could vote. -
Grand Army of the Republic is Formed
The Grand Army of the Republic, and organization of Union veterans, was formed. -
The Nickel
First appearance of a 5-cent coin, soon called "the nickel." -
Civil Rights Bill
Congress passes the Civil Rights Bill of 1866. -
Dynamite is Created
Alfred Noble discovers that the mixture of nitroglycerin and kieselguhr powder was very deadly but convenient to handle. -
General Phillip H. Sheridan Takes Command
General Phillip H. Sheridan takes command of U.S. forces in the West, proposing to bring peace to the plains by exterminating the herds of buffalo that support the Indians' way of life. -
First Cattle Trail
Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving create the first cattle trail, driving a herd of 2,000 longhorns from Texas to New Mexico in what will become an annual tradition across the southern plains. -
Jesse James Turns to Crime
Jesse James and his brother Frank James, Confederate soldiers turn to crime and create the James-Younger Gang. They led the first armed bank robbery in the United States. -
Lakota War Party Attack
A Lakota war party led by Chief Red Cloud attacks a wagon train bringing supplies to the newly constructed Fort Phil Kearny on the Powder River in northern Wyoming. -
Indian Wars Continue
Red Cloud, leader of the Sioux Tribe, led his tribe into battle against white settlers. This happened in Montana and Wyoming on the Bozeman Trail. The Snake, leader of Northern Paiute Tribe, attack settlers and miners. This happened in Oregon and Idaho. -
Suffrage is Granted
All males over the age of 21 are granted suffrage in US territories. -
Peabody Fund
Peabody Fund is formed to promote Black education in the South. -
Nebraska Joins the United States
Nebraska becomes the 37th state to join the U.S. in 1867. -
First Reconstruction Act
The first Reconstruction Act passed over the presidents veto. -
Department of Education
The United States Congress created the Department of Education. -
Violent Saint Patrick's Day
The annual parade for St. Patrick's Day in New York City becomes violent. -
Second Reconstruction Act
The Second Reconstruction Act is passed on March 23. -
Alaska Becomes a Part of America
The northwestern tip of land in North America is purchased by the United States of America from Russia. The U.S. Purchased Alaska for $7.2 million. This meant the U.S. payed two cents per each acre of land. -
First Cattle Drive
The first cattle drive from Texas up the Chisholm Trail arrives at the rail yards of Abilene, Kansas. -
Third Reconstruction Act
The Third Reconstruction Act is passed over a presidential veto.
