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Democratic Party Convention
A Convention is held in Charleston, South Carolina by the Democratic Party. Held until May 3rd. The objectives were to set the platform and select candidates for the 1860 election. -
Constitutional Union Convention
In Baltimore the meeting was held for those who were apaart of this party, those who could not dcide between Democrat or Republican. At this convention they nominated John Bell for President and Edward Everett Vice President of Tennessee. -
Republican Convention
In Chicago, the Republicans hold a convention where they nominate Abraham Lincoln as their presidential candidate. This convention lasts until the 18th. -
John C. Breckinridge
John C. Breckinridge is chosen by Southern Democrats to be their nominee for President. -
Stephen Douglas
One of four presidential candidates, Stephen Douglas, brought his campain to Atlanta. There, he spoke about secession. -
Presidency
Abraham Lincoln is elected as the 16th President of the United States, he was the first Republican president. -
Fort Sumter Threats
Threats on Fort Sumter in Charleston were being reported by Major Robert Anderson. -
Secession Convention
In Columbia, South Carolina, the first Secession Convention meets. -
Secession
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union. More follow this action on later dates. -
Troops are Coming
Via telegraph, Charleston is aware that a general and his troops are on their way. -
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was formed. Jefferson Davis was the President. -
Lincoln
On this day Lincoln is sworn into office, become the 16th president of the United States. -
Fort Sumter
The Confederates under the order of Pierre Beauregard open fireon Fort Sumter in South Carolina with 50 cannons. This marks the start of the Civil War. -
Virginia's Secession
Virginia secedes from the Union followed by many others after. -
Proclamation of Blockade
Lincoln issues a Proclamation of Blockade against the Southern ports which limits supplies to get into the South during the war. -
Resignation of Lee
Robert E. Lee resigns his commission in the U.S Army. In RIchmond, Virginia he accepts an offer to command the military and naval forces of Virginia. -
Lincoln's Speech
To Congress, Lincoln says that the war is a "People's contest..." and Congress calls for 500.000 more men. -
First Bull Run
Confederate general, Thomas Jackson, aka "Stonewall Jackson" defeats the Union. Irvin McDoweel was the Union general. -
George B. McClellan
Abraham Lincoln replaces McDowell by appointing George B. McClellan as Commander of the Department of the Potomac. -
Lincoln appoints McClellan
After Winfield Scott resigns, Abraham Lincoln appoints George McClellan as general-in-chief of all Union forces. -
Victory for the "Unconditonal Surrender"
General Ulysses S. Grant earns his nickname, the "Unconditional Surrender" after his victory in Tennessee after capturing Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. -
Shiloh
Confederates surprise Grant and his troops with an attack at Shiloh on the Tennessee River. 13,000 Unions are killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates. -
New Orleans Captured
Under the command of Flag Officer, David G. Farragut, 17 Union ships move up the Mississsippi River and capture New Orleans. Which is the South's best seaport. -
Battle of Seven Pines
McClellan's troops are attacked in front of Richmond by General Joseph E. Johnston. Johnnston is seriously injured therefore, they do not defeat McClellan and his troops. -
Replacement
General Robert E. Lee replaces General Joseph E. Johnston after his brutal injury. Lee renames his force the Army of Northern Virginia. -
Seven Days Battle
McClellan is attacked by Lee near Richmond. Both sides lose many men. Continues until July 1st; McClellan begins withdrawal back to Washington. -
New General-in-chief
President Lincoln hands over the task on general-in-chief to Henry W. Halleck after four months of being his own general-in-chief. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
55,000 Confederates under command of General Stonewall Jackson and General James Longstreet in northern Virginia defeat 75,000 Federals under General John Pope. Union army heads to Washington again, Pope is released. -
Antietam
McClellan stops Lee and the Confederate army at Antietam in Maryland. By nighttime, 25,000 men were either missing, dead or hurt. Lee withdrawals back to Virginia. Marks history as the bloodiest single day battle in the U.S. -
Ambrose E. Burnside
President Abraham Lincoln fires General George McClellan, claiming he has the "slows" and replaces him with Ambrose E. Burnside as the new Commander of the Army of the Potomac. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The final Emancipation Proclamation is issued by President Lincoln, freeing all slaves in the South states and puts an emphasis on the enlisting of black soldiers in the Union Army. -
Joseph Hooker
General Burnside is replaced by Joseph Hooker, who was chosen by Lincoln to be the new Commander of the Army of The Potomac. -
General Grant
General Ulysses S. Grant is put in command of the Army of the West. With this responsibility comes orders of capturing Vicksburg. -
Stonewall Jackson
At the battle of Chancellorsville "Stonewall" Jackson dies due to his extremely wounded arm. This is extremely rough for the South. -
2nd Invasion
General Robert E. Lee launches his second invasion on the North with 75,000 Confederates. Heads into Pennsylvania, this campaign will soon lead to the Battle of Gettysburg. -
Battle of Gettysburg
At the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, the Confederates are defeated, the "turning point" of the war. Went from July 1st-3rd. -
Vicksburg
After a six week siege, the Confederates surrender to General Grant. The Union was now in control of the Mississippi River and the Confederacy was split into two which took away its western allies. -
Frederick Douglass
President Lincoln meets with Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist who pushes for full equality for black soldiers of the Union. -
Grant in Command
Lincoln appoints General Grant to command all operations in the western theater. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln does a 2 minute speech known as the Gettysburg Address that dedicates the battlefield as a National Cemetery. -
Andersonville
Camp Sumter Prison Camp, or commonly referred to as Andersonville Prison Camp opens in Georgia. It will be known for its extremely harsh conditions to inmates. -
Grant and Sherman
Lincoln places Grant in charge to command all of the armies of the United States. General Sherman succeeds Grant as commander in the west. -
Fort Pillow
In Henning, Tennessee on the Mississippi River under General Nathan Bedford Forrest's raid, destroying many Union supplies, the Confederates capture Fort Pillow. -
Cold Harbor
In twenty minutes, 7,000 casualties from the Union occur because of Grant's attack at Cold Harbor in Virginia. -
Second term
President Lincoln is nominated by his party for his second term of presidency. -
The Alabama
The Confederate raider CSS, Alabama is sunk by the USS Kearsarge near Cherbourg, France. -
George B. McClellan for President?
George B. McClellan is nominated by Democrats to go against Lincoln for President. -
Re-election
Abraham Lincoln is re-elected as the President of the United States. -
William T. Sherman
General William Sherman's Army of Georgia begins the "March to Sea". -
Savannah, Georgia
After a 300 mile long path of destruction from Atlanta, Sherrman and his men arrive at Savannah in Georgia. -
13th Amendment
The thirteenth amendment is approved into the Constitution by the U.S. Congress to abolish slavery. It now awaits ratification. -
"Peace Meeting"
President Lincoln meets with the Confederate Vice President, Alexander Stephens for a peace meeting in Virginia at Hampton Roads. After an unsuccessful meeting, the war continues. -
South Carolina
Sherman and his army capture Columbia, South Carolina and Confederate defenders evacuate Charleston, South Carolina. -
Richmond, VA
Lincoln visits Richmond, Virginia, where he goes to the Confederate White House and sits at Jefferson Davis' desk for a little while. -
Lee Surrenders
At the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia, Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Ulysses S. Grant. -
Lincoln dies
After being shot by John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln dies the morning after. Vice President Andrew Johnson takes the position as President. -
Surrender
General Joseph E. Johnston, Confederate general, surrenders to Sherman in North Carolina near Durham. -
John Wilkes Booth
On a tobacco barn in Virginia, John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin is shot and killed. -
Jefferson Davis
In Georgia, the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis is captured. -
Ratification
The Thirteenth Amendment passed by Congress is finally ratified, meaning slavery is abolished. -
Andrew Johnson Vetoes
The bill that authorizes military trial for those accused of disrespecting and depriving negroes of the Civil Rights is vetoed by President Johnson. On that same day, the Freedman's Bureau bill is passed by Congress. -
Civil RIghts Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is vetoed by President Johnson for being unconstitutional. -
Ford's Theater is Purchased
Congress buys Ford's Theater for $100,000. After bought, it housed the Army Medical Museum and the Office of the Surgeon General and War Department until 1893. -
Veto Denied
President Johnson's veto on the Civil RIghts Act of 1866 is overrided by Congress. -
Winfield Scott Death
In West Point, NY, Winfield Scott dies. WInfield Scott was a U.S. Army general. -
"General of the Armies"
The "general of the armies" are established by Congress. Grant is awarded to 4 star general and put in this position. Sherman recieves the rank of Lt. General. -
Ku Klux Klan
An investigation of the Ku Klux Klan begins by the U.S. Secret Service. -
Texas Proclamation of Peace
President Andrew Johnson issues a proclamation of peace with Texas. -
Civil War Ships Destroyed
Ships used in the Civil War were destroyed after a fire in the Philadelphia shipyard occurs. -
South Carolina and the 14th Amendment
On South Carolina's 6th year anniversary of seceding, they ratify the 14th Amendment which addresses the rights of citizens and equal protection of the laws. -
Blacks in Washington, D.C.
In Washington, D.C. blacks gain the right to vote from a bill that is passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Tenure of Office Act
Tenure of Office Act is passed by Congress. This act denies the right of the President to remove officials who have been appointed with the consent of Congress. It restricts the Presidents power. -
2nd Reconstruction Act
The 2nd Reconstruction Act is passed by Congress over Johnson's veto. -
Purchase of Alaska
Alaska is purchased by William H. Seward, Secretary of State. It is the second to last state that the United States purchases. -
Segregation ride-in
On New Orleans streetcars, black demonstrators staged a segregation protest ride-in. -
Admission to the Union
Congress passes a bill that admits Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisianna, North Carolina and South Carolina into the Union. -
Resignation of Stanton?
The resignation of Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War is demanded by President Andrew Johnson. -
ad interim Secretary of War
Lincoln's Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton was suspended by the chief executive, who appointed Ulysses S. Grant as the ad interim Secretary of War. -
Alaska signed over
Russia officially signs Alaska over to the United States. -
Impeachment
Due to his lack of effectiveness with reconstruction, Congress looks into impeaching President Johnson.
