Civil War Events

Civil War Events

Period: Oct 31, 1860 to May 1, 1865

Lincoln Voted President

Nov 6, 1860

Lincoln is elected president. Receiving 180 of 303 possible electoral votes and 40 percent of the popular vote.

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

The beggining of the Civil War.

Lincoln orders Blockade

Apr 19, 1861

President Lincoln issues a Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports. The blockade limits the ability of the South to stay well supplied in its war against the North

Lincoln becomes President

May 4, 1861

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The Union Army suffers a defeat. This is when Lincoln realizes the war will be very very long.

Monitor vs. Virginian

Mar 9, 1862

The battle of the Union and Confederate Armies at Sea

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

Confederate surprise attack the Union. Results in 13,000 Union killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates, more men than in all previous American wars combined.

7 Days Campaign

Jun 25, 1862

Lee attacks McClellan. Heavy losses for both armies.

Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Confederate Armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland by Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing.

Emancipation issued

Sep 22, 1862

Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves issued by President Lincoln.

2nd Battle at Bull Run

Sep 29, 1862

Lee invades the North. The Union Army pursues Lee.

Emancipation takes Effect

Jan 1, 1863

President Lincoln issues the last Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates. The war to preserve the Union now becomes a struggle for the abolition of slavery.

Chancellorsville

May 5, 1863

The Union Army under Gen. Hooker is decisively defeated by Lee's smaller forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia as a result of Lee's tactics. Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson is mortally wounded by his own soldiers. Hooker retreats. Union losses are 17,000 killed, wounded and missing out of 130,000. The Confederates, 13, 000 out of 60,000.

Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

The tide of war turns against the South as the Confederates are defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg

Vicksburg

Jul 4, 1863

Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. With the Union now in control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy is effectively split in two, cut off from its western allies.

Gettysburg Address

Nov 19, 1863

Lincoln delivers a two minute Gettysburg Address at a ceremony dedicating the Battlefield as a National Cemetery.

Chattonooga

Nov 23, 1863

Union forces under Grant defeat the siege army of Gen. Braxton Bragg.

Grant takes Over

Mar 10, 1864

President Lincoln appoints Gen. Grant to command all of the armies of the United States.

Atlanta

Nov 5, 1864

Atlanta is captured by Sherman's Army. This win helps President Lincoln's bid for re-election.

Lincoln re-elected

Nov 8, 1864

Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president. Lincoln carries all but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes.

March to the Sea

Nov 16, 1864

they begin a March to the Sea. President Lincoln on advice from Grant approved the idea.

Savannah falls

Dec 21, 1864

Sherman reaches Savannah in Georgia leaving behind a 300 mile long path of destruction 60 miles wide all the way from Atlanta

13th Ammendment Passed

Jan 31, 1865

The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery.

Occupy Richmond

Mar 3, 1865

Inauguration ceremonies for President Lincoln in Washington.

Lee Surrenders

Apr 9, 1865

Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.

Lincoln is Shot

Apr 14, 1865

John Wilkes Booth shoots the president in the head.