-
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis comes out in favor of seceding from the union for the first time. -
South's First thought about Leaving
Southern delegates hold a National Democratic convention in Richmond. Party leaders urge a "wait and see" approach. -
John C. Brekinridge
Southern Democrats hold a convention in Richmond where they select John C. Breckinridge as their nominee for President -
Lincoln's Elected President
The election was held on this date. It was an immediate reason for outbreak of this war. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina becomes first state to secedes from the Union. -
Fort sumter
Governor Francis Pickens of South Carolina demands President Buchanan relinquish control of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie. -
S.C. Reps Leave House
South Carolina representatives withdraw from the U.S. House of Reps. -
Confederate States of America
The Convention of Seceded States adopts a provisional constitution forming the Confederate States of America -
Confederate President
After privately considering William Yancey, Howell Cobb, Robert Toombs, Alexander Stephens, and Robert Barnwell Rhett for President of the Confederate States of America, the Convention settles on Jefferson Davis. They select Alexander Stephens, both pro-Union and a friend of Abraham Lincoln, as vice-president. -
Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address
This speech was addressed to the people of the south. The message that was meant to be spread to succinctly state Lincoln's intended policies and desires toward that section. -
Battle of Philippi
First land engagement of the Civil War between American and Confederate forces -
Bull Run a.k.a. Manassas
About 25 miles southwest of Washington the first major battle of the Civil War pits Irvin McDowell [US] against P. G. T. Beauregard [CS] and Joe Johnston [CS]. -
Battle of cheat mountain
It was the first battle in the civil war in witch Robert E Lee led troops into combat. -
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott relieved from duty as Supreme Comander of the United States. -
U.S. Cutting Off Trade
British mail packet Trent, carrying James M. Mason and John Slidell, Confederate commissioners to London and Paris, is halted in the Bahama Channel by the U.S. warship San Jacinto. -
Battle of Ft. Donelson
General Ulysses S. Grant demands the unconditional surrender of the garrison from an old friend, Simon Bolivar Buckner -
Battle of Pea Ridge [US], Battle of Elkhorn Tavern [CS]
A major battle in civil war won by the United States. They managed to push confederate forces back -
Battle of Hampton Roads
The duel of the ironclads, The Monitor and The Merrimac (CSS Virginia). First use of a turreted gun. -
Battle of Pittsburg Landing
Ulysses S. Grant [US] defeats Albert Sidney Johnston [CS] in southwest Tennessee. P. G. T. Beauregard assumed command following Johnston's death Confederate Losses
1,723 dead
8,012 wounded
959 missing
Union Losses
1,754 dead
8,408 wounded
2,885 missing -
Robert E. Lee
Jefferson Davis replaces wounded Army of Northern Virginia commander Joseph E. Johnston with Robert E. Lee -
Second Bull Run
General John Pope [US] lost to General Robert E. Lee[CS]. General James Longstreet's [CS] 28,000 man assault on August 30 was the largest simultaneous assault of the war in this Confederate victory. Union losses 13,830 Confederate losses 8,350 Also includes: Manassas Plains, Gainesville -
Battle of Harpers Ferry
Stonewall Jackson takes 12,000 prisoners. -
Battle of Antietam
Army of the Potomac under McClellan [US] defeats the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee [CS], resulting in the bloodiest day in American history. Union losses:12,401 men
2,108 dead
9,540 wounded
753 missing
Confederate losses:10, 406
1,546 dead
7,752 wounded
1,108 missing -
Battle of Fredericksburg
General Ambrose Burnside and the Army of the Potomac is soundly beaten by Lee's Army of North Virginia. -
Battle of Stone's River
Braxton Bragg forces William Rosecrans to retreat, but Rosecrans returns to defeat Bragg on January 2, 1863. Union 13,249 Confederate 10,266 -
Lincolns Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
General "Fighting Joe" Hooker's Army of the Potomac is defeated by Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as it crosses the Rappahannock on the way to Richmond Union: 17,268 Confederate: 12,821 -
West Virginia Enters
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States, but the first to enter where the terms slave and free no longer mattered -
Battle of Gettysburg
General Robert E. Lee [CS] advances into Pennsylvania where he meets George Meade [US]. First battling north of the city, by the second day Union forces had retreated south, forming a strong line as men arrived almost continuously. On the third day, the infamous Pickett's Charge marked the end of the Confederates hope for a victory The bloodiest three days in American history -
Battle of Chickamauga
The bloodiest two days in American history cost the Federals 1,657 dead, 9,756 wounded, and 4,757 missing for a total of 16,170 casualties out of 58,000 troops. The Confederate losses were 2,312 dead, 14,674 wounded and 1,468 for a total of 18,545 out of 66,000 troops. -
Gettysburg Address
At the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg President Lincoln delivers a two-minute speech. Immediately following the speech he calls it a "flat failure." The speech is known today as the Gettysburg Address -
Battle of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga
Three Union armies attacked the Army of Tennessee atop Missionary Ridge, east of downtown Chattanooga. Patrick Cleburne stopped William Tecumseh Sherman from the north, although outnumbered 10 to 1. Joe Hooker was seriously delayed by burnt bridges and failed to hit the southern end of Bragg's line near Rossville, Georgia.