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Period: to
Civil War
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The Louisiana State Seminary of Higher Learning
At Pineville, the The Louisiana State Seminary of Higher Learning is founded, with Superintendent WilliTecumseh Sherman. Later, it changes to LSU. -
Jefferson Davis- Succession
For the first time, Jefferson Davis reveals he is in agreement with succession. -
Abraham Lincoln at the Cooper Institute
In New York City, Abraham Lincoln speaks at the Cooper Institute after having his picture taken by Matthew Brady. -
Classes Start at the Seminary
At the Seminary of Higher Learning at Pineville, classes start. -
National Democratic Convention "wait and see"
In Richmond, a National Democratic convention is held by Southern representatives. Leaders of the party utilize a "wait and see" technique. -
Quartermaster General
Joseph E. Johnston is designated as Quartermaster General. -
Commander of Cadets at West Point
Major John F. Reynolds takes Lieutenant Colonel William Hardee's place as commander of cadets at West Point. -
Possible South Carolina Succession
Governor William Henry Gist informs other Deep South states that South Carolina is contemplating succession as a choice. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected
Rebublican Abraham Lincoln is elected president. He received 39.7% of the vote and beat Stephen Douglas, John Bell, and John Breckinridge. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union. -
The Confederate States of America Established
The Confederate States of America is established. The president is Jefferson Davis, who graduated from West Point and was a previous U.S. Army officer. -
Abraham Lincoln Sworn In
The 16th President of the U.S.A., Abraham Lincoln, is sworn in as president. -
Civil War Begins
The Civil War starts with Confederate soldiers under Gen. Pierre Beauregard opening fire upon Fort Sumter with 50 cannons. This took place in Charleston, South Carolina at 4:30 A.M. -
Lincoln's Proclamation Calling for Militiamen
President Abraham Lincoln issues a Proclamation that calls for 75,000 militiamen, and assembles a special session of Congress for July 4. -
Virgina Secedes
Virginia secedes from the Union, and within five weeks Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina also secede. -
Robert E. Lee Accepts New Commanding Role
Robert E. Lee steps down from his commission in the United States Army. "I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." He then goes to Richmond, Virginia, and is offered command of the military and naval forces of Virginia. Lee takes the offer. -
Lincoln Gives a Speech to Congress
In a speech to Congress, Abraham Lincoln says the war is..."a People's contest...a struggle for maintaining in the world, that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate the condition of men..." The Congress permits a call for 500,000 men. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run takes place, resulting in a Confederate victory. -
George B. McClellan Appointed
President Abraham Lincoln designates George B. McClellan as Commander of the Department of the Potomac, taking McDowell's place. -
International Diplomatic Crisis
The start of an international diplomatic crisis for President Abraham Lincoln as two Confederate officials sailing toward England are seized by the U.S. Navy. The dominant world power, England, orders that they be set free and threatens war. Ultimately, Lincoln gives in and orders their release in December. "One war at a time," Lincoln comments. -
Grant takes Fort Henry
General Ulysses S. Grant has success in Tennessee and captures Fort Henry, -
Battle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson takes place in Tennessee. It ended on February 16th. -
The Death of Lincoln's Son
President Abraham Lincoln is extremely upset as his eleven-year-old son, Willie, perishes from fever. -
Battle of Pittsburg Landing
The Battle of Pittsburg Landing takes place in Tennessee, resulting in a Union Victory. -
The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh takes place in Tennessee, resulting in a Confederate vicotry. -
City Partially in Flames
Commadore Farragut's fleet weighs anchor at New Orleans and orders the surrender of the largest city and most important port in the South, following a fight with Confederate ships at English Turn. When Farragut finally arrives, the city was partly on fire. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run takes plave in Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory. -
Robert E. Lee Replaces Josheph E. Johnston
Jefferson Davis has Robert E. Lee take the place of injured Army of Northern Virginia commander Joseph E. Johnston. -
The Seven Days Battles
The Seven Days Battles get close to Richmond as Lee charges McClellan, causing very heavy losses for both armies. McClellan then starts a withdrawal back toward Washington. The battles ended on July 1. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam takes place, resulting in a Union victory. This battle was the bloodiest day in the history of the U.S. -
Lincoln Issues the last Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation is now in effect. -
Lincoln Appoints General Joseph Hooker
President Abraham Lincoln designates General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker as command of the Army of the Potomac, taking the place of General Ambrose Burnside. -
Congress Passes a Draft
The U.S. Congress passes a draft that impacts male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also excuses those who pay $300 or give a substitute -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Union Army under General Hooker is decisively beaten by Robert E. Lee's much smaller forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville, which was located in Virginia. They were beaten because of Lee's bold and intelligent strategies. Confederate General Stonewall Jackson is fatally injured by his own soldiers. Hooker withdraws. -
Stonewall Jackson Dies
Stonewall Jackson perishes from his injuries. The South is greatly hurt by his death. -
West Virginia is a State
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to become apart of the U.S.A. It is the first state to become apart of the U.S.A. where the terms slave and free no longer matter. -
Lincoln Appoints General Meade
President Abraham Lincoln designates General George G. Meade as commander of the Army of the Potomac, taking Hooker's place. General Meade is the 5th man to command the Army in less than twelve months. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg takes place in Pennsylvania, resulting in a Union victory. The battle ends on July 3. -
Confederates Lose Vicksburg
Vicksburg, the final Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, capitulates to General Grant and the Army of the West following a siege that lasted for six weeks. The Union now has power over the Mississippi, and the Confederacy is effectively split in two, cut off from its western allies. -
Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln gives a two minute speech called the Gettysburg Address, at a ceremony assigning the Battlefield as a National Cemetery. -
Union Officers Prison Escape
109 Union officers under Colonel Thomas Rose flee from Libby Prison on the banks of the James River in Richmond, Virginia. 59 men get to Union lines -
Start of a Campaign leading to Major Battles
The start of a huge, organized campaign involving all of the Union Armies. In Virginia, General Grant, with an Army of 120,000, starts proceeding toward Richmond to engage Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, now numbering 64,000. This starts a war of attrition that will include significant ofbattles at the Wilderness (May 5-6), Spotsylvania (May 8-12), and Cold Harbor (June 1-3). -
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness takes place in Virginia. The outcome was inconclusive. This battle ended on May 7, with General Grant proceeding to Spotsylvania Court House. -
Army of the James
Army of the James, led by General Benjamin Butler, lands at Bermuda Hundred and City Point, east of Petersburg. The Army is made up of two corps, equating to almsot 40,000 men. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House takes place in Virginia. The result is inconclusive. -
Battle of Pickett's Mill
The Battle of Pickett's Mill takes place in Georgia, resulting in a Confederate victory. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor takes place. This battle lasted until June 12 and resulted in a Confederate victory. -
George B. McClellan Nominated
Democrats nominate George B. McClellan to run against Republican incumbent Abraham Lincoln in the Presidential Election. -
Lincoln's Re-election
Abraham Lincoln defeats Democrat George B. McClellan and is re-elected as president. -
Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville takes place in Tennessee, resulting in a Union victory. It ended on December 16. -
Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution
To abolish slavery, the U.S.A. Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Then, the amendment is presented to the states for ratification. -
A Failed Peace Conference
A peace conference takes place as President Abraham Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens . They meet at Hampton Roads in Virginia. However, the conference ends in failure, and the war will keep going. -
Lincon's Second Inauguration
Inauguration ceremonies for President Abraham Lincoln's second term take place in Washington. The president states,"With malice toward none; with charity for all..." -
Battle of Fort Stedman
The Battle of Fort Stedman takes place in Virginia. At Petersburg, the Confederates break the Union line after four hours. This battle resulted in a Union victory. -
Battle of Five Forks
The Battle of Five Forks takes place in Virginia, resulting in a Union victory. -
General Robert E. Lee Surrenders
Robert E. Lee capitulates the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysess S. Grant at Wilmer McLean's home in Appomattox Court House. He surrendered after trying to break-out of the Union envelopment. -
Celebrating in Washington
In Washington, celebrations take place. -
Lincoln is Assassinated
President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre, Washington, D. C. -
Lincoln Dies
President Lincoln dies early in the morning. Vice President Andrew Johnson takes over as president. -
Lincoln's Burial
in Oak Ridge Cemetery, outside Springfield, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln is buried. -
Observing Lincoln's Birthday
The first official observation of President Lincoln's birthday takes place in Washington, D. C. President Andrew Johnson is there. -
New Freedman's Bureau Bill
Congress approves New Freedman's Bureau bill. On the same day, President Andrew Johnson rejects the bill that allowed military trial for those accused of "depriving Negroes of the Civil Rights." -
Texas Repeals
Texas revokes the Secessionist Convention's actions. -
Johnson Vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866
President Andrew Johnson rejects the Civil Rights Act of 1866 because he thought that it was unconstitutional. -
A State of Peace
The United States proclaims that a state of peace is taking place with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia -
Johnson's Civil Rights Act Veto Overrode
Congress overrules President Andrew Johnson's rejection of the Civil Rights Act -
14th Amendment Approval
Congress permits the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. -
Johnson's Freedman's Bureau Bill Overrode
Congress overrules President Johnson's rejection of the Freedman's Bureau bill. -
"General of the Armies"
Congress creates "general of the armies." Right away, Ulysses S. Grant is upgraded to 4-star general and put in this position. William Tecumseh Sherman takes on the rank of Lt. General. -
Fire in the Ship-yard
Many ships used during the Civil War are ruined by an accidental fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard. -
The Right to Vote for African Americans in Washington D.C.
African Americans in Washington D. C. obtain the right to vote in a bill approved over President Andrew Johnson's rejection. -
The State of Nebraska
Nebraska is now a state of the United States of America. -
The Tenure of Office Act
Congress approves the Tenure of Office Act, rejecting the right of the President to get rid of officials who had been chosen with the consent of Congress. -
Second Reconstruction
Federal army reinstates military order to Mississippi (Second Reconstruction). -
African Americans Not Allowed to Vote in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia refuses thousands of votes cast by African Americans, who were permitted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
The Second Reconstruction Act is Approved
Over Andrew Johnson's rejection, Congress approves the Second Reconstruction Act. -
Buying Alaska
The Senate approves the treaty to buy Alaska. -
Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina Granted into the Union
Congress approves a bill granting Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. Texas, Mississippi, and Virginia, who had declined to authorize the Fourteenth Amendment, were rejected admittance into the Union. -
Ad Interim Secretary of War
Ulysses S. Grant is now ad interim Secretary of War. -
The United States has Alaska
Russia gives Alaska to America.
