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The Confederates invaded the union solider's at Fort Sumter in Charleston South Carolina
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The Union surrenders after a two day bombardment with Confederate cannons in South Carolinian's Charleston Harbor
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North Carolina secedes from the Union, the eleventh and last state to do so
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Lincoln addresses congress and requests the enlistment of a Union army. Congress called for 500,000 men.
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First battle of Bull Run puts General Irvin McDowell against the new Confederate army. McDowell was defeated and went back to Washington.
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The Confederate ironclad Merrimack battles the Union ironclad Monitor in Chesapeake Bay.
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Union General Ulysses Grant's forces surprised the town of Shiloh in Tennessee.This battle resulted in 13,000 Union and 10,000 Confederate casualties.
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General Robert E. Lee assumes command of the Confederate army of Northern Virginia.
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Over the course of the seven days of fighting General Robert E. Lee attacks George McClellan's Union army of the Potomac.
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The second battle of Bull Run is a resounding victory for Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. John Pope is blamed for the loss and is relieved of his duties after the battle.
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The Battle of Antietam is the bloodiest day in the Untied States history. Over 26,000 men are killed, wounded, or missing in action on both sides.
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Lincoln issues a preliminary emancipation proclamation, which declares his intention to free all slaves in any new territory captured by the Union Army.
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