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Battle of Fort Sumter
Major Anderson sent word to the capital that he only had 6 weeks worth of supplies left, but by sending the supplies, Lincoln invited Confederate attack. 500 Confederate men fired at the fort for 34 hours under the direction of General Beauregard before Anderson surrendered. As the first attack on the Union, the Battle of Fort Sumter marks the beginning of the Civil War. -
Blockade of Confederate Ports
The first measure of naval warfare by the Union. At the time, it was the largest ever atttempted blockade in the history of the world. It seemed impossible, because there was 3000 miles of coast to cover, and only about 35 navy ships. However, it was effective, and by cutting off the South, the Union took the upper hand, if they hadn't already had it. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Until this battle, everyone thought that the Civil War would be a quick, minor thing. Both sides, led by Beauregaurd(Conf) and McDowell(Union) planned to take the other in a small matter of time. People from Washington came to the battlefield with picnic baskets to enjoy the battle. However, it turned bad quickly, and everyone walked away knowing that the War would not be quick, but bloody and costly. -
Battle Hymn of the Republic (written)
Fun Fact: Julia Ward Howe wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" about the Civil War to the tune of a song popular earlier on in the War, "John Brown's Body". Today, churches and schools across the nation still sing the hymn in worship and to honor the soldiers that fought.
The final verse reads:
"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me;
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on!" -
Fort Henry and Fort Donelson
General Grant took his troops and ironclads up the Cumberland River to Fort Henry. 17,000 men don't take long to claim a fort, and within an hour Confederates in the fort were forced to submission. On to Donelson, General Grant took 15,000 men to a much harder battle. However, after a long day of fighting and a long night of surviving the weather, the Union took Donelson as well. These made up the first big victory for the Union. -
Monitor vs. Merrimack
The Battle of Hampton Roads is the first naval battle in America's history that involves ironclad warships. While Confederate Merrimack was wreaking havoc on Union wooden ships, Monitor was dispatched, and engaged in a close combat battle with Merrimac. However, the weapons couldn't do any real damage to either ironclad, and the battle ended in a draw. However, this battle has changed naval warfare. -
Capture of New Orleans
The Union's victory of taking teh Confederacy's largest city was a huge win for the Union. -
Antietam
The bloodiest day in the Civil War, this ended in a draw. But the Confederates retreated, so Lincoln used this "victory" to say the Emancipation Proclamation. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
This document stated that "all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." Slaves would find every way to get to Union Army or base camps. -
Fredericksburg
Fought from the 11th through the 15th, this battle brought double the amount of Union casualities as the Confederate Army had. -
The Enrollment Act
This required every male legal citizen between the ages of 20 and 45 to enroll in the United States Army -
Chancellorsville
This is onsidered to be General Lee's greatest victory of the Civil War, Stonewall Jackson died during this battle.. -
Vicksburg
Going all the way through June, this battle basically drove the Confederacy in half. Also, this is the battle that gave Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant his reputation and chance to become General in Chief. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
From July 1st to the 3rd, this battle had the highest number of casualties in the entire Civil War. This is also considered to be the major turning point of the war for the Union's favor, despite casualties. Led by General Meade. -
The Gettysburg Address
Speech done by Abraham Lincoln for the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetary at Gettysburg. This is considered to be one of the best speeches ever given in American History. Although many people back then did not take this Address seriously at all. -
General Grant Given Command Over U.S. Army
President Lincoln signed the commission to make Ulysses S. Grant, the Lt. General of the entire United States Army. -
The Siege of Atlanta
Part of the Atlanta campaign by the Union, the Battle of Atlanta began the campaign, and was ended by the Siege on the Confederacy. -
Lincoln is Re Elected
Election of 1864 happened right in the middle of the war, and McClellan (the previous general) went against Lincoln in the race. This was vital in the Civil War for Lincoln to end slavery and the South's rebellion. -
The 13th Amendment Abolishes Slavery
This Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary service, except as punishment for having done a crime. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
At the Apomattox Courthouse, Virginia, Robert E. Lee surrenderd his troops to General Ulysses S. Grant. -
Abraham Lincoln Dies
He was shot at just after 10:25 P.M. by John Wilkes Booth. He died the next morning. This is just 6 days after the surrender of General Lee.
