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Abraham gives his Cooper Union speech
Lincoln gives his speech on this day addressing his thoughts on slavery and why it should not expand to the western territories -
Pony Express
This mail service was created to service express mail and faster communication interstately. -
Democratic Party splits over the issue of slavery
Northern Democrats supported Douglass' doctrine of popular sovereignty, however Southern Democrats supported the Dred Scott Decision. -
Sewards Reputation Backfires
Almost everyone believed that Senator William H Seward would be elected as the Republican party candidate, meeting every credential fit to be president, a conflict in 1839 when he refused to extradite a group of black fugitives to Virginia held him back. -
Abraham Lincoln is elected as the republican candidate
At the Republican National Convential meeting in Chicago, Lincoln is nominated for the republican party over his competitor, Hannibal Hamlin. -
Benjamin Henry perfects the Henry Repeating Rifle
Manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company and perfected by Benjamin Henry, the "Henry Repeating Rifle" was a significant advancement in artillery which greatly benefited the Union troops. "that damned Yankee rifle that they load on Sunday and shoot all week!" -
Lincoln is elected as president
Lincoln is elected as president of the United States and is left with the responsibility of saving the nation's unity and banning slavery in America. -
FIRST Secessional Convention meeting in SC
This meeting was held to discuss weather or not South Carolina would secede from the union. Three days later, on December 20th, 1860, they had done so. -
Crittenden Compromise
Senator John J. Crittenden proposes the Crittenden Compromise hoping to resolve the U.S. secession crisis, but ultimately fails at preventing the states to follow South Carolina in succession -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the union. This is triggered by Lincoln's victory and the slaveholding states became more and more enraged. -
Mississippi Secedes from the Union
Mississippi's defense of the idea of slavery was a leading cause of why the state seceded from the Union. -
President Abraham Lincoln is appointed as the official president of the United Stats (Union)
At Lincoln's inauguration in Washington DC, he extends an olive branch to the South, but since both sides were so set in their ways, war was inevitable and this coming together was not successful. -
Fort Sumter (first attack to start the war)
In Charleston, South Carolina, the confederate troops bombarded Fort Sumter, and after many long hours of artillery fire, the United States Army surrenders. -
The Union uses black troops
The USWD (The United States War Department) issued a general documentation establishing the Bureau of black troops order number 143 -
Union forces cross the Potomac River
Union troops successfully occupy Arlington Heights, the home of future Confederate General Robert E. Lee -
Battle of Big Bethel
The first land battle to happen in VA near Newport News. Union troops suffered the loss of Maj. Winthrop. Confederates were victorious. -
Battle of Bull Run (Manassas, Virginia)
Known as the bloodiest battle in American history where this was the first full-scale battle of the Civil War -
Battle of Wilson's Creek
A Union attack which is considered the second major battle of the Civil War happened near Springfield Missouri resulting in a Confederate victory -
First Battle of Lexington (Missouri)
When the word had passed about the Battle of Fort Sumter, MSG Brigadier General Thomas Harris took it upon himself to lead his troops to attack the Union barricades, ending up in a confederate victory which boosted the morale of Southern troops. -
Battle of Balls Buff
General George B. McClellan suffered a humiliating defeat which led the Congressional committee to proceed with further caution in the conduct of the war. Many soldiers drowned crossing the Potomac River due to its freezing temperatures. -
Jefferson Davis is appointed as the president of the Confederate States of America
The first and only president of the Confederate States of America, was a Southern planter, Democrat, and hero of the Mexican War representing Mississippi. -
Lincoln issues a unified aggressive action
On January 27, President Lincoln issued a war order issuing the Union to launch a unified aggressive action against the Confederacy. General McClellan, however, did not follow Lincoln's authorization. -
Surrender at Fort Henry
This battle estored Western and middle Tennessee and most of Kentucky to the Union. It also gave control of the river to Union troops -
McClellan Loses Command
On March 8, President Lincoln fired McClellan due to his inactivity and lack of progress. McClellan didn't think fast enough costing his position as General in the Supreme court. -
Battle of Shiloh
Struggling to prevent the Union troops from entering Mississippi confederate troops fail to hold off Union troops. Both sides had many casualties. -
Virginia is Divided Into Two
Virginia becomes two separate states. General McClellan tells Abraham Lincoln that the former Virginians who resided westmost were not in support of the Ordinance of Secession. -
Union Takes Control Of New Orleans
The Union armada plowed right through the ports/blockades of New Orleans sinking eight ships under the control of Admiral David Farragut. -
The Homestead Act
President Abraham Lincoln signs into law the original Homestead which states that gave an applicant freehold title to up to 160 acres on any of the surrounding states that bordered the 13 colonies. -
The Second Battle Of Bull Run
Lee had planned a strategic offensive attack against union troops which led to a Confederate victory. This victory secured General Robert E. Lee's reputation as a skilled tactician which later ensued his invasion of the North. -
The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the deadliest one-day battle in American military history. It also boosted the morale that the Union could stand against the Confederate army in the Eastern theater. -
Dakota War Mass Execution
The largest mass execution in United States history takes place in Minnesota when 38 Dakota prisoners were executed by hanging. 392 Native Americans were taken as prisoners, but President Lincoln reviewed the trial transcripts and attenuated most of the sentences. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
A speech was given by Abraham Lincoln that freed all slaves (including Southern). It also allowed the recruiting of (180,000) black soldiers in the Union forces. -
Battle of Arkansas
Union leaders John McClernand and Admiral David Porter capture the Arkansas River for the South -
Congress Passes First Conscription Act
Men aged between 20 and 45 were required to register for service however this was biased towards the rich because for $300.00 you could hire a substitute to fight for you. -
Southern Bread Riots
Poor women protesting the cost of bread. The rise in prices was due to supply and demand. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a huge victory for Robert E. Lee where Thomas Jackson was given the name "Stonewall Jackson). -
The Battle of Vicksburg
A major battle took place where the union ceased control of the Mississippi following the Battle of Shiloh. This battle was won by Union troops -
West Virginia is considered a state
It was the only state to form by separating from a Confederate state. The state legislature abolished slavery in the state, and at the same time ratified the 13th Amendment. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
Considered the turning point of the civil war where both sides suffered significant casualties, however on the third day Union troops take full advantage and take over Gettysburg. Lincoln later dedicated that battlefield as a resting place for BOTH deceased North and South soldiers. His famous 2-minute speech. -
Guerrilla Warfare takes place
Southern men would hunt and kill Union soldiers when they weren't expecting it, making it easy to kill them. Suprise attacks and raids on Union camps would take place. -
Battle of Chickamauga
This battle was the second costliest battle in the Civil War just behind the battle of Gettysburg. This battle was one of the deadliest in the West where the Confederate army secured a victory -
Shermans March to the Sea
This was a march of troops through Georgia that William Tecumseh Sherman led towards Atlanta, GA. His motive was to involve Southern confederate civilians in the south to abandon the Southern's cause. Buildings, homes, and barns were burned to the ground in attempt to scare the civilians. -
Fort Pillow
Taking action in Tennessee, most African American soldiers were killed by confederates which led to a Confederate victory. It is known as one of the saddest events in American Military history, -
Battle of the Wilderness
Was the first battle of General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against General Robert E. Lee resulting in a great number of casualties for both sides. Considered inconclusive -
Battle of Resaca
William Sherman engages the Confederate army in Tennesse fighting towards Atlanta, Georgia. This battle was seen to be inconclusive considering the ratio of casualties. -
Battle of Ware Bottom Church
The Union troops led by Benjamin Butler had suffered a defeat where Butler's forces stayed in their Bermuda Hundred defenses. -
Battle of Piedmont
Under the command of Union General David Hunter, a victory is secured in West Virginia and resulting in the capturing of 1,000 prisoners. -
Confederate spy Belle Boyd is detained
Confederate spy Belle Boyd was captured and arrested at the Old Capitol Prison In Washington DC -
Battle of Mobile Bay
On August 2nd, 1864 Union fleet commanded by Rear Admiral David G. Farragut attacked a smaller Confederate fleet led by Admiral Franklin Buchanan which led to a Union victory.
