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Abraham Lincoln elected president (first term)
Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States over a deeply divided Democratic party, becoming the first Republican to win the presidency. He received only 40% of the popular vote. -
Confederate States of America Formed
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union on Dec. 20, 1860. They asked other states to join together to form a new nation. By February 1861 six other states from the lower south followed South Carolina. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The twelth of April, 1861 there were shells being fired at the fort from Cumming's point, the site of the first shot fired by Edond Ruffin. Time will tell if the Union shall be maintained or dissolved. -
First Battle of Bull Run
First major land battle of the armies in Virginia. The Union army was under command of Gen. McDowell and the Confederates under Gen. Bee and Col. Bartow. The battle turned out to be a Confederate victory. -
Trent Affair
Captain Charles Wilkes seized from the British neutral ship two confederate comissioners seeking English help. Nearly started a war between the United States and Great Britain. -
USS Monitor vs. CSS Virginia
At dawn, the CSS Virginia prepared for combat against the USS Monitor. They concentrated their fire on the Monitor's pilothouse and a shell hit there blinding Lieutenant John L. Worden, captain of the Union ship. The battle ended in a stalemate. -
First (Union) Conscription Act
It was the first military draft in American history. The Union resorted to the draft as a result of losses and a shortage of soldiers. -
Union Captures New Orleans
New Orleans was the largest city in the Confederacy. Farragut's fleet reached New Orleans on April 25, the day after the fight at the forts. The capture of New Orleans was one of the most significant moments during the entire war. -
Seven Days Battle
Was held at Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. It was one of the most savage and remarkable battles of the Civil War. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Jackson wanted to draw Pope's army into a battle, so he ordered an attack on a Federal column that was passing by his front on the Warrenton Turnpike. The fighting only lasted several hours and ended in a stalemate. Heavy casualties resulted on both sides. -
Battle of Antietam
Held in Miller's Cornfield and the West Woods, the vicious attacks went back and forth. The Union army pushed forward at Antietam Creek, to help drive the army of Potomac back. It was the bloodiest single day battle in American history and led to the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Was issued on January 1, 1863, declaring everybody held as a slave shall be free. The Emancipatin Proclamatoin was brought on by the Union victory at the Battle of Antietam. It did not end slavery, but it did capture the hearts of many Americans. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Vicksburg surrendered after a series of siege operations. This turned out to be one of the most brilliant military campaings and a Union victory. -
Battle of Gettysburg
General Lee attempted to envelop Federals by striking the Union at Peach Orchard. The Confederate army was then driven from their posts, and in the afternoon they attacked the Union at Cemetary Ridge. It was a Union victory and there were severe casualties. -
Gettysburg Address
A speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863. It is considered on of his most famous speeches. It was used to dedicate Union soldiers who died during the Battle of Gettysburg. -
The Siege of Petersburg
Gen. Benjamin Butler dispatched about 4,500 cavalry and infantry against the 2,500 Confederate defenders of Petersburg. It was called the "battle of old men and young boys." The Confederates ended up defeating the Union. -
Lincoln is re-elected
lincoln was re-elected in 1864. many thought lincoln could not be elected a second time. many blamed lincoln for the war. -
Sherman's March to Sea
William T. Sherman's to the Sea, was the most destructive campaign against a civilian population in the civil war. Sherman abandoned his supply line and marched across Georgia to the Atlantic Ocean to prove to the Confederate population that its government could not protect the people from invaders. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
Robert E. Lee determined to make one last attempt to escape the closing Union pincers and reach his supplies at Lynchburg. At dawn the Confederates advanced, initially gaining ground against Sheridan’s cavalry. The arrival of Union infantry, however, stopped the advance in its tracks. Lee’s army was now surrounded on three sides. Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9. -
Lincoln is Assassinated
On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer, fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln at a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. The attack came only five days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his massive army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War.
