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Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States. He became the first republican candidate to win the presidency. He only recieved 40% of the popular vote but defeated the 3 other candidates running. This even causes the south to secede from the union. -
The Confederate States of America is Formed
As a result of Abraham Lincoln getting elected president, representatives from Missippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas met and decided to found the Confederate States of America. They soon elected Jefferson Davis their president. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
This attack occured from April 12th through April 14th of 1861, During this event, Gen Beauregard of the Confederacy demanded the surrender of Union garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The Union surrendered leaving the Confederacy with a victory. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War. It is also known as the First Battle of Manassas. The Confederates won this battle, shattering the North's hopes of winning and ending the war quickly. -
Battle of Shiloh
At the Battle of Shiloh, the Union gained control of the Mississippi River. Their were heavy losses for both the Confederacy and the Union. However, the Union won this battle. This event made leaders quickly realize that the war would not end quickly. -
Seven Days' Battle
At the Seven Days' Battle, Confederate General Lee attacked Union forces, creating a series of clashes. These clashes eventually caused Union General McClellan and his Union troops to retreat. This was a Confederate victory. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run was a three day battle. It is also known as the Second Battle of Manassas. At this battle, the Confederate troops forced the Union troops to retreat in defeat. As a result of this battle, Lee decided to take the war to the North. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single day battle in American history. Twenty three thousand soldiers were wounded, dead, or missing as a result of the battle. The battle ended in a Union victory and lead to Lincoln's issueing of the Emacipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862 by Abraham Lincoln. This document ordered the "rebellious states" to free their slaves. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued after the Union victory at the Battle of Anietam. It was put into effect on January 1, 1863. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
During the Battle of Fredericksburg, Major Ambrose E. Burnside and his troops attacked the Confederate army surrounding Fredericksburg. Confederate General Lee had his army split into two sections to surround the city but quickly brought them back together for more strength when he saw Burnside and his troops struggling to cross the river. This battle ended in a Confederate victory. -
First (Union) Conscription Act
The First (Union) Conscription Act was an act passed by Congress calling men between the ages of 20 and 45 to participate in military service. The only way that someone could get out of this call was to either pay a fee, or to find a man to go in their place. This act started a riot in New York City. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
At the Battle of Chancellorsville, General Lee and General Jackson from the Confederacy attacked General Joseph Hooker and the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville. The Union army was almost cut in two but after three days Hooker ordered a retreat. The Confederacy won this battle, but not without the loss of General Stonewall Jackson. -
Siege of Vicksburg
At the Siege of Vicksburg, Union General Grant and his troops cut off Vicksburg and surrounded it. Grant's plan was to starve the city until they surrendered. His plan worked and soon the Confederates gave in letting the Union win this battle. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the war for the Union. Heavy losses of men were experienced by both the Union and the Confederacy, but in the end, Confederate General Lee and his men retreated back to Virginia, giving the Union an important victory. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a dedication ceremony at the Gettysburg Battlefield Cemetery. This was where President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech praising the bravery of Union soldiers and renewed his commitment to win the Civil War. -
Battle of Spotsylvania
At the Battle of Spotsylvania, Union and Confederate forces clashed at Bloody angle. The Union managed to cut the Confederate army in half. On May 21st Grant disengaged and continued his advance on Richmond, leaving the results of this battle inconclusive. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
At the Battle of Cold Harbor, Union General Ulysses S. Grant and his army attacked Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his army. This battle was a Confederate victory but that did not stop Grant. He quickly shifted his army south of the river to threaten Petersburg. -
Lincoln is Re-elected President (Second Term)
At this election Abraham Lincoln won 55% of the vote. He won 212 electoral votes whereas McClellan only won 21. Many Union troops voted for Lincoln even McClellan's Army of the Potomac. Lincoln was re-elected the president of the United States. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
At the Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Union and Confederate leaders met at a house in the town of the Appomattox Courthouse where Confederate General Lee surrendered to Union General Grant. Lee signed official surrender documents, ending the Civil War. -
Assassination of President Lincoln
On this date, John Wilkes Booth fatally shot Abraham Lincoln. They were at a play at Forbes Theater in Washington D.C. Licoln was murdered only 5 days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse.
