Civil War Timeline

President Lincoln

1861

Abraham Lincoln took office.

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

Civil war started in a federal court called Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Battle lasted 33 hours before the Confederates won.

Bull Run/Manassas

Jul 21, 1861

Confusion caused Union batteries to stop firing and the Confederates overwhelmed the Union which ended in a Confederate victory in Virginia.

Battle of Hampton Roads

Mar 9, 1862

In the Virginia coast this battle marked the end of wooden vessels and introduction to iron clad ships tat were more durable. Neither side won.

Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

Union forces got surprised by Confederates on day one of the battle but Grant's counterattack attack on day two caused Union to win and take control of Mississippi Valley.

Antitam / Sharpsburg

Sep 17, 1862

Even though McClellan did not take advantage of Confederate's plan the Union forces still are able to force the Confederates to retreat in Sharpsburg, Virginia.

Gettysburg (July 1-3)

1863

Union maintained high ground and gave them the advantage to win and it was seen as the beginning of the end for the South in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

President Lincoln used the Union victory at Antietam to issue a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves in rebellious states.

Vicksburg

Jul 3, 1863

After Union took out smaller Confederate forces Grant orders a siege of Vicksburg and the Confederates eventually give up after weeks of suffering.

March to the Sea (December/November)

1864

General William Tecumseh Sherman marched his troops and used the tactic of total war in order to destroy the South and break their Spirit. From Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia to Columbia, South Carolina.

Freedman's Bureau

1865

Congress formed these offices throughout the South that gave clothes, food, and medicine to Freedmen and also established schools and offices.

Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 3, 1865

General Lee's men were tired and outnumbered 6 to 1. This is when Lee and Grant agree to end the war and Confederate soldiers surrender in Virginia. The Confederate soldiers were allowed to keep their homes and horses and would not be tried for treason.

Assassination of President Lincoln

Apr 14, 1865

John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln at Forde's Theater in Washington.

14th Amendment

1866

Gave African American's citizenship and said that states had to provide equal protection for all.

15th Amendment

1870

Guaranteed all men right to vote.