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Fort Sumter
A federal fort located in harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Lincoln informed South Carolina that he was sending supply ships to Fort Sumter. Leaders of the Confederacy decided to prevent the federal government from holding onto the fort by attacking before the ships arrived. On April 12, 1861, shore guns opened fire on the island fort. No one was killed, but his marked the beginning of the Civil War. -
1st Bull Run Manassas
This battle occured in Virginia, and ended with a Confederate (South) victory. South was thrilled and North realized they underestimated the South. The North was lead by Irwin McDowell, and the South was lead by Pierre Beauregard. -
Battle of Hampton Roads
This battle was the first with the ironclads. For the Union was John Worden and for Confederate was Franklin Buchanan and Catesby Jones. The outcome was inconclusive since there were about the same amount of casualties on both side. This lasted two days ending on March 9, 1862. The location was Norfolk, Virginia. -
Battle of Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing)
This battle ended with a Union victory. It occured in Tennessee. There were many casualties, the Union had 13,000 and the Confederates had 11,000. Leader for the North was Ulysses S. Grant, and for the South was Albert S. Johnson and Pierre Beauregard. Congressmen criticized Grant for high casualties and urged Lincold to replace him. -
Seven Days Peninsula Campaign
Ended on July 1, 1862 This battle took place in Virginia and ended with a Confederate (South) victory. The Union (North) army was lead by George McClellan and the Confederate army was lead by Robert E. Lee. Lee was praised for turning the situation around by attacking McClellan's army. -
2nd Bull Run Manassas
Ended on August 30, 1862. This battle took place in Virginia and ended with a Confederate (South) victory. The Union army was lead by Pope and the Confederate army was lead by Jackson. Union troops ended up withdrawing back to Washington. -
Battle of Antietam
On Sept. 17, 1862 at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland, McClellan's army (N) clashed with Lee's (S). The result was a victory for the Union (North) army. This battle was marked as the bloodiest day in American History. Lee lost 1/3 of his force, and McClellan could have finished them off, but hesitated. Lincoln fired him after this battle. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle took place in December, 1862 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Leading the Union army was Ambrose Burnside and for the Confederate army it was Lee. This battle ended with a Confederate victory. General Burnside proved to be a disappointment and was replaced after this Battle. -
Emancipation Proclamation
On January 1, 1863 Lincon issued the Emancipation Proclomation, which freed all slaves in Confederate territory. This made a huge impact although freed few slaves. Lincoln asked Congress to abolish slavery gradually throughout the land. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Ended on May 4, 1863. This Battle took place in Chancellorsville, Virginia. Leading the Union army was Joseph Hooker and for the Confederate army was Lee. The result was a Confederate (south) victory even though Lee had 1/2 as many forces as Hooker. The South paid a high price for it's victory at Chancellorsville, because General "Stonewall" Jackson was shot in the arm here and later had to have his arm amputated. -
Vicksburg Siege
Ended on July 4, 1863. The location of the siege was in Vicksgurg, Mississippi. Leading the Union army was Ulysses Grand and for the Confederate army was Robert E. Lee. The Union (north) army took victory. This fulfilled a major part of the Anaconda Plan. The South was now split in two. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Ended on July 3, 1863. This Battle took place in a small town of Getteysburg, Pennsylvania. Leading the Union army was George Meade and for the Confederate army was Robert E. Lee. The Union (north) took victory when Lee made a deadly mistake. Over 1/3 of Lee's army (28,000 men) were either dead or seriously wounded. Very sick at heart Lee lead his army back to Virginia. Lincoln was furious. -
Chattanooga
Under the control of Grant for the North and Bragg for the South, this battle reinforced that the Union was taking control after another Union victory. This battle was in Chattanooga, Tennessee. -
The Wilderness
Ended on May 5, 1864. This battle took place in the wilderness in Virginia. Under the control of Grant for the Union Army and Lee for the Confederate Army. Even though Grant lost over 17,000 men, he pushed on, saying "we will not retreat", and ended up with a Union victory. -
Petersburg Siege
Ended on April 2, 1865. This battle which occured in Petersburg, Virginia ended with a Union victory. Grand lead the North/Union army and Lee lead the Confederate/South army. The confederates surrendered after this battle and the war was soon over. -
Siege of Atlanta
Ended on September 2, 1864. Northerners could really sense victory as they had another win in Atanta, Georgia. Leading the Union army was Sherman and for the Confederate army was Hood. -
Ratification of the 13th Ammendment
In January of 1865, Lincoln urged Congress to try again to end slavery. This time, it went forward and the 13th Ammendment was passed, which abolished slavery. By the year's end, 27 states, including 8 in the south had ratified the ammendment. From this point on, slavery was banned in the United States. -
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
On April 9, 1865, Lee and Grant met in the small Virginia town of Appomattox Court House to arrange the surrender. Lee wanted to continue fighting, but knew his situation was hopeless. Grant offered generous terms of surrender. After putting their weapons down, the Confederates could return home in peace, taking their private possesions and horses with them. Grant also offered food to hungry Confederate soldiers. This ended the 4 year war. -
Assasination of Abraham Lincoln
Just 5 days after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, President Lincoln and his wife went to a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. During the play a Confederate supporter, John Wilkes Booth, went on the balcony where the president was and shot him in the back of the head. The next morning on April 15th, 1865 the president died.
