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Period: to
Civil War Timespan
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Wiyot Massacre
On Indian Island in California white settlers attacked and killed anywhere from 80 to 250 Wiyot Indians, many other attacks on Wiyot Indians followed that week. -
Lincolns Cooper Union Speech
Many historians believe that this was one of his most important speeches and helped him win the election later that year. -
The Pony Express Begins
The Pony Express transports mail by a series of riders using the Oregon Trail. It starts in Missouri all the way to California. -
Paiute War Begins
This was a war between white settlers and Paiute Indians with the help of Shoshone and Bannock as well. Fought in the Utah territory the war only lasted roughly 4 months. -
Stone's Prairie Riot
A riot between the Republican "Wide Awakes" and the Democrats who supported Stephan A. Douglas. It took place in Plainville, Illinois. -
The Lady Elgin Sinks
The Lady Elgin was a wooden hulled steam ship that was accidentally rammed by another ship and sank in Lake Michigan, more than 400 of its passengers drown. -
Lincoln Elected President
Lincoln ran against Breckinridge and Bell, he pushed for the abolition of slavery and his nomination didn't sit well with the South. -
Crittenden Compromise
A compromise proposed by John J. Crittenden to put an end to the US secession crises. It tried to appeal to both sides and give them what they wanted but the compromise ended up not working. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
After the election of Lincoln the South felt they had no say in government. Because of this South Carolina is the first state to secede from the union. -
South Carolina Issues Analogous
South Carolina issues "Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union" to the US declaration of Independence. -
Mississippi Secedes from the Union
Mississippi is the second state to secede from the Union over President Lincoln being elected and under the threat of having slaves be freed. -
Florida Secedes from the Union
Florida follows soon after Mississippi, leaving the Union 3rd. Again because their way of life is being threatened by the election of President Lincoln. -
Alabama Secedes from the Union
Alabama secedes only a day after Florida. They believed that they weren't being heard in Congress as did many of the other states that seceded from the Union. -
Georgia Secedes from the Union
Georgia is another state that secedes from the Union. Following close after Alabama, Florida and Mississippi becoming the 5th state to secede from the Union and join the Confederate states. -
Louisiana Secedes from the Union
Louisiana, only 8 days after Georgia's secession, became the 6th state to secede from the Union, feeling their beliefs and livelihood was in danger. -
Kansas is Admitted as a State
Kansas is admitted as the 34th state of the United States. Kansas would become known as "Bleeding Kansas" as there were many riots and fights over the topic of slavery in the State. -
Texas Secedes from the Union
First state to secede in February, Texas became the 7th state to secede from the Union. Texas was the biggest state area wise to secede and was one of the most western states as well. -
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis is elected the President of the Confederate States of America, he will be the first and only President. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
A Union held fort in South Carolina is attacked by confederate forces, no one is killed but the fort is quickly surrendered by the Union officers. The is the first battle of the Civil War. -
Virginia Secedes from the Union
Shortly after the Battle of Fort Sumter Virginia decides to secede from the Union. They were hesitant to secede but were given hope by the win at Fort Sumter. -
Battle of Cockpit Point
Fought early in Virginia, this battle neither side was a clear victor and there was no casualties reported. This battle happened when Union ships approached the Confederate defensive line along the Potomac river. -
The First Ironclad Ship is Deployed
The USS Monitor is launched, becoming the first US ironclad warship to be deployed. Launched from the Union this ship was almost unsinkable by any Confederate ships of the time. -
Capture of Fort Henry
This was the first major Union victory of the war. Ulysses S. Grant attacked the fort in Tennessee, the battle had 2 parts, the fort would be attacked by 2 divisions of soldiers while it was simultaneously under fire from Union gunboats. -
Capture of Fort Donelson
Soon after the battle for Fort Henry, Grant pushed on to Fort Donelson. The attack was another great strategic victory for the Union as it meant they could control the Cumberland River. -
Battle of Valverde
Fought in Confederate Arizona, or New Mexico today, this was part of the Confederates successful western campaign. The Confederates won this battle and gave them a good point close to the Rio Grande. -
Battle of Pea Ridge
This battle shut the Confederate forces out of Missouri, and this was one of the only battle of the war where Union forces were outnumbered. Union forces not only won the battle but repelled a Confederate counter offensive the next day. -
Battle of Hampton Roads
This was one of the most important naval battles of the war and saw 2 ironclad ships face off. The battle was part of a Confederate plan to break the Union blockade of Virginia. The battle saw the Union blockade hold and Confederate forces to retreat. -
Battle of New Bern
Fought in North Carolina near the city of New Bern. This battle saw Union troops face against the undermanned, poorly trained North Carolina troops. After the battle the Confederate forces were forced the retreat Kinston, over 30 miles away. -
Fort Macon
At the battle of Fort Macon in North Carolina. This was part of Burnside's North Carolina Expedition and afterwards North Carolina was forced to surrender. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation is announced by President Lincoln. It says that all slaves in Union controlled states are free. -
Battle of Arkansas Post
After this battle the Union had almost complete control over the Arkansas River however it didn't move the Union any closer to Vicksburg. -
Arizona Territory is Organized
Arizona becomes a state of the Union. -
Idaho Territory is Organized
Congress decides to make Idaho a state of the Union. -
Battle of Washinton
Fought in Beautfort County, North Carolina this battle ends indecisively. -
Battle of Chancellorville
Robert E. Lee defeats Union forces, but suffers 13,000 casualties and the loss of Stonewall Jackson. -
Battle of Jackson
Union general defeats Joseph E. Johnston, this battle opens the way to the siege of Vicksburg. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Vicksburg was the last major Confederate held strong point on the Mississippi River. They were forced to surrender the fort to Union forces. -
Siege of Port Hudson
First and second attacks by the Union were unsuccessful but after the fall of Vicksburg up river Confederate forces were forced to retreat. -
Battle of Brandy Station
This battle fought in Virginia ends indecisively with both sides taking many casualties. -
Second Battle of Windchester
A Union garrison is forced to retreat by the army of Virginia in Shenandoah Valley. -
Battle of Olustee
Fought in Florida this was one of the most costly defeats the Union suffered during the war. -
Ulysses S. Grant
Lincoln appoints Grant as the leader of the Union army because he was a more aggressive leader. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
More than 4000 die in an inconclusive engagement. -
Battle of Yellow Tavern
Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart is mortally wounded, this battle took place in Virginia. -
Battle of Resaca
This battle was part of Union General Sherman's push towards Atlanta, Georgia. -
Battle of Ware Bottom Church
In the Virginia Bermuda Hundred Campaign, 10,000 troops fight in this Confederate victory. -
Montana Territory
The Montana territory is organized and becomes another Union state. -
Battle of Piedmoint
Union forces under General David Hunter defeat a Confederate army, they take almost 1000 prisoners. -
Siege of Petersburg
Union forces under General Grant and troops led by Confederate General Robert E. Lee battle. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
General Ulysses S. Grant pulls his troops from their positions and moves them South after the battle. -
Second Battle of Fort Fisher
Begins when United States forces launch a major amphibious assault against the Confederate stronghold. -
Lincoln is Assassinated
Actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth shoots and mortally wounds U.S. President Abraham Lincoln while Lincoln is attending an evening performance. -
General Lee
Robert E. Lee becomes general-in-chief. -
Lincoln's Second Term
Lincoln begins his second term in office, still at arms in the Civil War. -
Confederate's Begin Using Slaves in War
Confederate forces, depleted of men, decide to use slaves in their armies. -
Battle of Bentonville
Confederate forces retreat from Four Oaks, North Carolina. -
Fort Steadman
Confederate forces capture Fort Steadman from the Union. Lee's army suffers heavy casualties. -
Battle of Five Forks
In Petersburg, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee begins his final offensive of the war. -
Joseph E. Johnston Surrenders
Confederate States Army General Joseph E. Johnston surrenders to Union Army Major General William Tecumseh Sherman at Durham Station. -
General Richard Taylor Surrenders
Lieutenant General Richard Taylor, commanding all Confederate forces in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, surrenders his forces to Union General Edward Canby. -
First Daylight Bank Robbery
This is considered to be the first robbery committed by Jesse James and his gang, although James's role is disputed. -
The Calaveras Skull is discovered in California.
The Calaveras Skull is discovered in California. Purported to be evidence of humans in North America during the Pliocene epoch, it turns out to be a hoax. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
The United States Congress overwhelmingly passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the first federal legislation to protect the rights of African-Americans; U.S. President Andrew Johnson vetoes the bill. -
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The ASPCA is founded in New York City by Henry Bergh -
Nickel 5-Cent Coin
The U.S. Congress approves the minting of a nickel 5-cent coin, eliminating its predecessor, the half dime -
Great Fire of Portland
The fire kills two and leaves 10,000 homeless in the worst fire in an American city at this time. -
The Metric Act of 1866
The Metric Act of 1866 becomes law and legalizes the use of the metric system for weights and measures in the United States. -
Roller rink
First Roller rink in the Unites States opens to the public in Newport, Rhode Island. -
Civil War Over
President Johnson formally declares Civil War over after the surrender of Lee. -
The Reno Gang
The Reno Gang commits the first train robbery in the United States, taking a total of $13,000. -
Right to Vote
African-American men are granted the right to vote in the District of Columbia. -
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is established in Morgantown, West Virginia. -
Nebraska
Nebraska is admitted as the 37th U.S. state. -
Alaska is Purchased
Alaska is purchased for $7.2 million from Alexander II of Russia, about 2 cent/acre. -
Kidder massacre
A Sioux and Cheyenne war party kills U.S. Second Lieutenant Lyman Kidder, along with an Indian scout and ten enlisted men in Kansas. -
Midway Island
The United States takes control of Midway Island. -
Formal Possession of Alaska
U.S. takes formal possession of Alaska from Russia, paying $7.2 million. -
Manifest Destiny
The treaty requires Native American Plains tribes to relocate to a reservation in western Oklahoma. -
Charles Dickens
In a New York City theater, British author Charles Dickens gives his first public reading in the United States. -
Train Crash
49 people are killed in a train crash in Angola, New York.
