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South Secedes from the United States
After negotiation attempts failed, President Lincoln was furious. He raised an army of 75 000 to put down the rebellion. No one expected the war to last long. -
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American Civil War Major Events and Battles
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South Forms Own Government
The southern states that seceded from United States, held a convention in Montgomery. There, they appointed Jefferson Davis as President and created the Confederate Constitution. -
Lincoln’s Inauguration
Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States and gave his first presidential speech to the nation in crisis. He called for a compromise between the Union and Confederate, as he did not want a war. -
Fort Sumter
Confederate General Beauregard bombards Union Major Anderson's troops at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The Civil War officially begins. Two days later, Major Anderson surrenders the fort. -
Union Begins Blockade of South
Union navy began to block Confederate ports to stop trading. The plan was to economically crush the South. This plan was developed by General Scott, called the Anaconda Plan. -
First Battle of Bull Run
First major battle. Confederate General Jackson held strong until reinforcements arrived and forced Union General McDowell to retreat. Both sides suffered considerable causalities. This proved to the Union that the war was not going to be as short or easy as they thought. -
Moniter vs. Merrimack
The Confederate iron ship the USS Merrimack battles the Union iron ship the USS Monitor in Chesapeake Bay. The battle is a draw. It changes naval warfare forever - wooden ships were no longer effective. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate forces attacked Union forces under command of General Grant. The Union troops were almost defeated, but during the night reinforcements arrived - and the Union gained control. The Confederate forces retreated - causalities were heavy. -
Battle of Seven Pines
Confederate forces attack Union army, whom was nearly defeated until reinforcements arrived and helped the Union win. Confederate General Johnston was wounded and replaced with General Lee. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Victory for Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Union General John Pope is blamed for the loss and is relieved of his duties after the battle. -
Battle of Antietam
Bloodiest single day of the war, with over 23,000 causalities in total. Though officially a draw, Robert Lee’s confederate army was forced to withdraw. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Union General Burnside led the Army of the Potomac and attacked the Confederates across the Rappahannock River. He later was replaced by General Hooker due to his countless defeats. This was one of the costliest defeats suffered by the Union. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln formally declares that all slaves in territories that was still in the rebellion would be free. This meant that slavery would end in the South, once they were recaptured and under Union control. The proclamation also allowed black men into the Union Army and Navy. From this point, slavery and freedom is the main focus of the war. -
First Conscription Act
Congress enacts the first draft in American history, requiring every man to serve in the army unless he could find a substitute or pay a fee. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Confederate General Lee divided his army to fight Union General Hooker’s larger army. Heavy causalities were suffered on both sides; General Jackson was mortally wounded by friendly fire. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Series of battles taken place at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Union General Grant gained control of the Mississippi river when his forces defeated General Pemberton’s forces and captured the stronghold. -
Battle of Gettysburg
One of the most bloodiest battle of the war; General Meade’s forces defeat General Lee’s Confederate army. This is known to be the turning point in the war and marks the farthest advance of the Confederate army into Northern territory. -
Battle of Chickamauga
Union General Rosecrans is defeated by Confederate General Bragg at the Battle of Chickamauga, in Tennessee. It was the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater. Severe causalities were dealt. -
Atlanta Campaign Begins
Series of battles fought with Union General Sherman invading Georgia and pushing Confederate General Johnston towards Atlanta. Johnston was replaced with more aggressive General Hood, who lost Atlanta to the Union. The fall of Atlanta greatly boosted Northern morale. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The bloody battle of Cold Harbor is a disaster for the Union. General Ulysses S. Grant makes a series of tactical mistakes that result in the deaths of 7,000 Union in twenty minutes. -
Lincoln’s Re-election
The Republican party nominated President Abraham Lincoln, while the Democratic party nominated General George McClellan for president. Sherman’s capture of Atlanta boosted Lincoln’s popularity and helped him win re-election. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
Union General Sherman lead his troops through Georgia until they reached the coastline and captured Savannah. They destroyed everything in their path. -
Abolishment of Slavery
The United States Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the Consitution, which will abolish slavery. -
Richmond Falls
General Lee attacked General Grant’s forces near Petersburg, but was defeated twice. Lee evacuated Richmond, the Confederate capital, and headed west to join with other forces. -
Lee’s Surrender
General Lee was forced to surrender to General Grant at Appromattox Courthouse, Virginia, ending the war. Over the following months, the remainder of the Confederate forces surrendered. -
Assassination of Lincoln
Just 5 days after General Lee surrenders, President Lincoln becomes the first United States President to be assassinated. While attending a show at Ford’s Theatre, he was shot by John Booth.
