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Presidental Election
The 19th presidental election takes place on the 6th of November. Lincoln winning this election was one of the major causes of the war. -
South Carolina Secedes
To protest recent events such as Abraham Lincoln becoming the president, South Carolina adopts the "Decleration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union." The secession winter begins. -
Secession winter ends
By February 1861, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Lousiana have all seceded. -
Lincoln's inauguration
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 19th President of the United States. -
Battle of Fort Sumter begins
The first shots of the Civil War are fired from Confederate cannons at Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter surrenders on the 14th of April. There are no fatalities in the battle. -
Period: to
The American Civil War
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Union blockade of the Confederacy begins
President Lincoln announces his plans to blockade the Confederacy. In time, this ruins the Southern economy at very little cost to the Union. -
Battle of Rich Mountain
A two hour fight leaves the Confederate forces involved in the battle split. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
Northern citizens demanded that the Union army march against Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital. The Bull Run river becomes the stage for the first decisive battle of the Civil War. The Union had the advantage early in the battle, but Confederate reinforcements turned the tide and the unexperienced Union soldiers found themselves in a rout. -
Battle of Wilson's Creek
A second decisive victory for the Confederates. As with the First Battle of Bull Run, the fight started with the Union army taking the advantage. A surprise attack was launched by Union forces which overran the enemy camps and allowed the Union men to take the high ground. Mistakes made by the Union forces allowed the Confederates to take the advantage, and the battle ended with Union forces retreating. -
Battle of Ball's Bluff
A major victory for the Confederates. Over five hundred Union soldiers are taken prisoner. -
England threatens war on the Union
Confederate officials on a ship towards England are seized by Union ships. England demands their release, threatening war. The officials are quickly released. -
Battle of Fort Donelson commences
A decisive victory for the Union. Ends on the 16 of February with a Confederate surrender, over twelve thousand Confederate soldiers are taken prisoner. -
Wooden ships become obsolete
The Confederate Ironclad 'Merrimac' sinks two wooden Union ships in two days. Wooden ships considered obsolete. -
Battle of Shiloh
The bloodiest battle in United States history up to this point, with more casualties than in every previous American war combined. The Union forces suffer 13000 casualties while the Confederate forces suffer 10000. Despite the higher casualties, a counterattack on April 7 leads to a Confederate retreat. -
Capture of New Orleans
New Orleans, the largest Confederate city, is finally considered under the complete control of the Union. -
Seven Days Battles
A series of battles over seven days. The battles lead to a Confederate victory, and caused thousands of deaths on both sides. -
Halleck becomes general-in-chief of the Union forces
Lincoln, who was general-in-chief for four months, hands the position over to Gen. Henry Halleck. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
62000 Union soldiers clash with a Confederate force 50000 strong. Despite the superior numbers, Bull Run is once again the location of another Confederate victory when Union forces retreat to Washington. -
Battle of Antietam
The first battle of the war to take place on Union soil. The Battle of Antietam becomes the bloodiest single day in US history, with over 22000 casualties on both sides combined. The battle is tactically inconclusive. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Lasting until December 15, the Battle of Fredericksburg was a Confederate victory with over 12000 Union casualties compared to just over 5000 Confederate casualties. The Union forces, at approximately 114000 men, were unable to break the approx. 72000 strong Confederate forces. -
Emancipation Proclomation
President Lincoln brings the Emancipation Proclomation into effect. This proclamed that all enslaved people in the country were free. However, this meant nothing to slaves in Confederate held territories, and they would have to wait until the Union took the territory, which is when they would become free. -
US Congress enacts a draft
US Congress enacts a draft that affects all male citizens ages 20-45, but you are able to avoid it if you pay $300 or provide a substitute. Outrage amongst poorer Northerners. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville begins on the 30 of April, and ends on the 6 of may. This bloody battle ends with a Confederate victory despite the fact that the Union forces were over twice as large at approx. 130000 men. Union forces were unable to defeat the approx. 60000 strong Confederate force, and they were forced to retreat. -
Stonewall Jackson dies
Gen. Stonewall Jackson dies from his wounds sustained at the Battle of Chancellorsville. The South mourns. -
George G. Meade becomes commander of the Army of the Potomac
Gen. George G. Meade becomes the fifth man to command the Army of the Potomac in less than a year. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg, which lasted until the 3 of July, was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, and also a major turning point. This battle ended with a Union victory, and the tide of war turns against the South. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, which lasted until the 20 of September, was a Confederate victory. A Union retreat enabled the Confederate forces to besiege the city of Chattanooga. -
Gen. Grant becomes commander of all US armies
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant is granted the position of commander of all US armies by Lincoln after his victory at Chattanooga. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor is one of the most brutal Union defeats of the entire war. Lasting until June 12, the attempt to take Cold Harbor takes the lives of 1844 Union soldiers. Only 83 Confederate soldiers are killed in the battle. -
Atlanta is captured
The Confederate city of Atlanta is captured by Union forces. -
Lincoln is re-elected president
Lincoln is re-elected for his second term. -
Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville, which ended on Dec. 15, was a decisive Union victory. This battle marked the end of the major fighting in the Western Theater. -
Slavery is abolished
US Congress passes the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution which abolishes slavery. -
First peace conference
President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens. The conference ends in failure, and the war goes on. -
Confederate captial falls to the Union
The recently evacuated Confederate capital Richmond is taken by Union forces. The Stars and Stripes are raised over the city. -
Lee surrenders
Gen. Lee surrenders the Confederate Army to Gen. Grant -
Lincoln is assassinated
President Lincoln is shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at a theater. He is pronounced dead the next morning. The North mourns. -
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Remaining Confederate forces surrender
Throughout the month of May, the remaining Confederate forces surrender as news of the Southern defeat reaches them.
