American Civil War

Civil War

Period: Jan 1, 1860 to Jan 1, 1870

Lincoln Wins Close Race

Nov 6, 1860

He won his presidency. He had enough votes to beat everyone else that was in the election. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Lincoln Inauguration

Mar 4, 1861

Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the sixteenth President of the United States. In his Inaugural Address he gives a stark warning to the South: he will not tolerate secession. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Confederate Constitution Signed

Mar 11, 1861

The Constitution of the Confederate States of America is signed in Montgomery, Alabama. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Civil War Begins

Apr 12, 1861

Confederate forces under General P.G.T. Beauregard bombard Major Robert Anderson and his Union soldiers at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War officially begins. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

First Battle Of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The First Battle of Bull Run pits Union General Irvin McDowell against the new Confederate army. McDowell is defeated causing a panicked retreat back to Washington, which is about forty miles away. The withdrawal is hampered by the large numbers of spectators who are there to see the battle. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Battle Of Shiloh

Apr 8, 1862

Union General Ulysses S. Grant's forces are surprised at the town of Shiloh in Tennessee. The ensuing battle results in 13,000 Union and 10,000 Confederate casualties, more than in all previous American wars combined. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Emancipation Proclamation Issued

Jan 1, 1863

Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation. It frees all slaves in territory captured by the Union Army, and orders the enlistment of black soldiers. From this point forward, the Civil War is a war over slavery. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Siege Of Petersburg

Jun 15, 1864

RANGEEND_VIRGINIACAMPAIGN With the beginning of the Siege of Petersburg, south of Richmond, the mobile war of the past month ends, replaced by a nine-month siege. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Thirteenth Amendment Ends Slavery

Jan 31, 1865

The United States Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which will abolish slavery. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Second Lincoln Inaugural

Mar 4, 1865

Lincoln is sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Siege Of Petersburg Ends

Apr 2, 1865

RANGEEND_PETERSBURG The Siege of Petersburg ends as Ulysses S. Grant's army breaks through Confederate lines and marches towards Richmond. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Lincoln Shot

Apr 9, 1865

Abraham Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Lincoln Dies By Assassination

Apr 9, 1865

Lincoln does not regain consciousness after being shot at Ford's Theater. He dies from his wound.

Lee Surrenders

Apr 9, 1865

General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant in a farmhouse in the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The war is over. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm

Slavery Abolished

Dec 6, 1865

The Thirteenth Amendment is ratified by the States. Slavery is abolished. http://nccivilwar.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/civwardates.htm