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Lincoln elected president
Though winning in the electoral college, Lincoln's lack of a popular majority (1.9 million out of 4.7 million votes cast) is an indication of the problems he would face with a divided nation -
Confederacy formed
Seven states form Confederacy, write their own constitution, and plan for an independent nation -
Lincoln inaugurated
Lincoln enters Washington D.C. in disguise because of unrest. Southerners begin seizing federal posts -
Ft. Sumter attacked
Lincoln decides to supply Ft. Sumter, but wants the South to fire the first shot. -
Bull Run (Manassas), 1st battle
Gen. McDowell leads 30,000 men against Gen. Johnston's 22,000 Southern troops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go "On to Richmond." South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray. McDowell replaced by Gen. McClellan -
South Carolina secedes
On news of Lincoln's election, South Carolina (site of nullification fight in 1830s) secedes -
Ft. Henry & Ft. Donelson
Gen. Grant captures two forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Confederates forced out of Kentucky and yield much of Tennessee -
Monitor vs. Merrimac
First ironclad battle in history ends in a draw as the Merrimac withdraws after daylong exchange of fire. Union blockade of South is maintained -
Peninsular Campaign (Yorktown, Seven Days' Battle, Fair Oaks)
After continual prodding by Lincoln, McClellan decides to attack Richmond via the South. He moves his large army down the Potomac, marches on Richmond, and then assumes a defensive position rather than pushing for victory. Gen. Lee takes command of Southern troops -
Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing)
Grant overcomes Southern forces with heavy losses for each side: 13,000 Union casualties, 11,000 for South -
New Orleans
Farragut seizes New Orleans for Union after boldly attacking Southern position. 11 Southern ships sunk -
Bull Run (Manassas) 2nd battle
McClellan replaced by Gen. Pope. Lee and Gen. Stonewall Jackson defeat Union troops again at Manassas and Pope is replaced by McClellan -
Antietam
Heavily outnumbered, Lee's troops face McClellan in bloody fighting. Over 23,000 casualties (more than all previous American wars combined). Lee retreats to Virginia -
Emancipation Proclamation
With victory at Antietam, Lincoln announces that on 1/1/63, all slaves in the rebelling states would be free. Does not affect border states. Forces European nations to recognize that choosing sides in the Civil War is to take a stand on slavery -
Fredericksburg
Gen. Burnside attacks Lee's fortified position and suffers 10,000 casualties (to Lee's 5000).
