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Henry Repeating Rifle is Patented
The Henry Repeating Rifle designed by Benjamin T. Henry, is the first practical lever action repeating rifle. It began to be adopted by the Union and widely used by them throughout the American Civil War. The Henry gave a single man the firepower of a dozen marksmen armed with muzzle-loading muskets. -
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Civil War Timeline
The American Civil War was a war fought between the United States of America and Confederate States of America as a result of a long-standing controversy over slavery -
Jefferson Davis speaks for Slavery
Davis gives reasons as to why the nation should protect slaveholders. He gives reasons for why slavery should be allowed. -
The Pony Express
The Pony Express begins going from Saint Louis, Missouri to Sacramento, California. It has 119 stations that are each 12 miles apart. They made it possible for letters to be delivered much faster. -
Considering Secession
Governor William Henry Gist informs South states that South Carolina is considering secession.This is a bold statement. -
Abraham Lincoln Is Elected President of the United States
Lincoln become the 16th president of the United States. He represented the Republican Party. -
Chestnut Resigns
James Chesnut becomes the first Southerner to resign from the Senate. This is the beginning to many resignations. -
Georgia Convention
The state of Georgia calls for a convention to discuss a Southern Confederacy. Only South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama are invited. -
Secession Convention Opens
the Convention meets in Columbia, South Carolina. Ninety percent of the 159 delegates in attendance were slave owners. They met to discuss secession after Lincoln is elected because they realize slavery may be abolished. -
South Carolina is The First to secede from the Union
South Carolina becomes the first state to secede. They had been worried that the New Republic administration would attempt to abolish slavery. -
South Carolina Proclamation Issued
"Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union" was issued on this day. It was essentially their own Declaration of Independence establishing them as dissociated with the Union. -
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Five more states secede from the Union
Following the secession, five more states seceded from the Union in the month of January including Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana. (All in chronological order from first to secede to last) -
Texas Secedes from the Union
Texas secedes from the Union. They are the only state to secede in the month of February. -
Confederate States of America Formed
Once all the states including Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Virginia seceded, they formed the Confederate States of America. They formed in an effort to leave the North and their ways, and be able to govern themselves how they wanted- including keeping slavery legal. -
Jefferson Davis is appointed the first President of the Confederate States.
Jefferson Davis is appointed the first President of the Confederate States of America at Montgomery, Alabama. He was the first and only President of the Confederate States. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Near Charleston, South Carolina, General Anderson led the north and General Beauregard led the South as both sides fought in what was one of the opening battles of the Civil War. The confederates (south) ended up winning this battle. -
Lincoln Requests an Army
Lincoln addresses Congress and requests the enlistment of a Union Army. He asks for 75,000 militiamen and a special session of Congress on July 4. -
Virginia Secedes from the Union
Virginia is the 8th state to secede. It was the only one to secede in April. -
Robert E. Lee Resigns his position in the U.S. Army
Robert E. Lee having previously served the United States Army decides to leave it for the Confederate Army. He feels it is where he was born and where his home is, and he cannot turn his back to it. He says "I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." -
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Arkansas and North Carolina Secede Aswell
Both Arkansas and North Carolina also secede from the Union. They were the only two to secede in the month of May. -
Tennessee is the Last to Secede
Tennessee is the last state to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy. -
Battle of Big Bethel
Resulted in Confederate victory. The Union attack on Confederate positions near Bethel church (Hampton, Virginia) were resisted. -
Lincoln Receives his Army
After Lincoln's request for militiamen months back, Congress authorizes a call for 500,000 men. This action basically confirms that there will be war. -
Battle of Rich Mountain
In Randolph County, Virginia, Confederate forces under command of General Garnett were split in half mid-battle by Union forces commanded by General McClellan. One of the Confederate forces surrenders; the other escapes. Ended in Union victory. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Also known as the First Manassas, the First Battle of Bull Run was the first Major battle of the Civil War. Fought in Prince William County, Virginia, McDowell lead the Union against the Beauregard led Confederates. This battle ended in a confederate victory. This Confederate victory helped the Union realize the war would not be as easy as they thought -
General George McClellan takes command of Potomac Army
George B. McClellan is appointed as Commander of the Potomac Army, replacing McDowell. -
Battle of Wilson's Creek
Fought near Springfield, Missouri, Union forces led by Lyon and Sturgis lose to Confederates under Price and McCulloch. Lyon is killed- he is the first Union General to be killed in the American Civil War. -
Battle of Carnifex Ferry
Fought at Carnifex Ferry in Nicholas County, Resulted in an important Union victory that led to the Confederate withdrawal from western Virginia. This lead to the formation of the separate state of West Virginia. -
Battle of Cheat Mountain
Took place in Pocahontas County and Randolph County, Virginia (present day West Virginia) It was the first battle of the Civil War in which Robert E. Lee led troops into combat. False information and poor communication by the Confederates led to a Union victory -
Battle of Ball's Bluff
Fought in Loudoun County, Virginia, a miscommunication between the Union led them to believe there was an unguarded Confederate camp which encouraged a raid. Once they went to raid though they were met by enemy forces and suffered a devastating loss -
Battle of Mill Springs
Also known as the Battle of Fishing Creek and the Battle of Logan's Cross Roads, was fought near current Nancy, Kentucky. Union counterattacks on the Confederate right and left were successful, forcing them from the field in a retreat. -
Battle of Fort Henry
Fought in western Tennessee, the Union advanced upon the fort whilst it was being attacked by Union gunboats commanded by Flag Officer Foote. Accurate and effective naval gunfire, heavy rain, and the fort being inundated by rising river waters, caused General Tilghman, to surrender to Foote before the Union Army arrived. -
Battle of Roanoke Island
Confederates thought that they were safe in impenetrable swamps, but they had been pinched from both sides and driven back to refuge in the forts. The forts were taken in reverse. With nowhere to retreat Colonel Shaw surrendered to avoid more bloodshed. -
Battle of Fort Donelson
Fought at Fort Donelson in Stewart County, Tennessee, The Confederate army led by Buckner surrenders to Grant. Union gains control of Cumberland River which was vital for the invasion of the South. The victory also made Ulysses S. Grant much more known Grant gets the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. -
Battle of Valverde
Fought near the town of Valverde in Confederate Arizona, in present day New Mexico. It was a major confederate success. -
Battle of Island Number Ten
Fought in New Madrid, Missouri and Lake County, Tennessee, Confederate General Mackall surrendered Island No.10 after the Union crossed the Mississippi River and blocked the Confederate's escape route. -
Battle of Pea Ridge
Also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, was fought near Leetown, Arkansas. Federal forces, led by Samuel Curtis drove Confederate forces out of northeastern Arkansas. This was one of the few battles where the number of Confederates outnumbered the Union, yet the Union were still victorious. -
Battle of Hampton Roads
Also known as Moniter vs. Merrimack, was a naval battle near the mouth of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Although it ultimately ended in a draw it was a very important and historical battle as it was the first battle between wooden-hulled and iron clad ships. It gave way to a new era in which ironclad ships were a new advancement and were much more powerful that their previous wooden counterparts. -
Battle of New Bern
Fought near the city of New Bern, North Carolina, General Burnside led the Union troops in a battle against poorly trained Confederate soldiers. Although they had already somewhat set up defenses, the Union army pushed and exploited a weak point in the defence. General Branch and his Confederate troops has no choice but to retreat to the city of Kinston. -
First Battle of Kernstown
Fought in Winchester, Virginia, the battle technically ended in a Confederate loss. Still though it was a strategic win for them because they helped to prevent the Union from sending forces to reinforce the Peninsula Campaign to attack Richmond, the Confederate capital. -
Siege of Yorktown
Fought in York County Virginia, the battle ended in a stalemate as both sides- Union led by McClellan and Confederates led by Magruder and Johnston fought evenly but progress was at a standstill. Eventually the Confederate troops slipped away to Williamsburg. -
Battle of Shiloh
Fought in Hardin County, Tennessee, this became the bloodiest battle in American history at the time. The Confederates launched a surprise attack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's unexpecting troops. The battle ended in 13,000 Union soldiers and 10,000 Confederate soldiers dead/ wounded. -
Robert E. Lee Assumes Command of Confederate Troops
On June 1, 1862 Robert E. Lee assumes command of Confederate Troops defending Richmond, replacing General Johnson after he had been wounded. -
Battle of Glorieta Pass
Fought in northern Mexico the confederates were forced to retreat when their supply train was destroyed and most of their horses and mules killed or driven off. Eventually they withdrew into Confederate Arizona and then Texas. This ended in a Union victory. -
Lincoln Issues the Emancipation Proclamation
the was supposed to free all slaves in territories held by Confederates. In reality though, this freed few people as the Confederate states obviously refused to follow Lincoln's orders. -
Conscription Act
The National Conscription Act is signed making all capable males aged 18-35 have to join the Union Army. It caused much controversy and riot among the people. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Fought in Chancellorsville, Virginia, General Lee makes a risky decision to divide his army against a much greater Union force. It is considered General Lee's greatest victory as not only had they won whilst greatly outnumbered, they also left General Jackson mortally wounded. -
Stonewall Jackson Dies
After the conflict in Battle of Chancellorsville, "Stonewall" Jackson dies after having been left wounded. He dies from Pneumonia days after an accidental friendly fire from his troops. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Grant and his Army crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army, led by Pemberton, into the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg being was last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, the Union capturing it was decisive. -
Battle of Milliken's Bend
Fought in Madison Parish, Louisiana although a relatively small battle it was distinct. This distinctness was due to the fact that the Union troops were majority colored. Although they lacked military training, they fought bravely and drove off the Confederates resulting in a Union victory. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this is the largest battle of the Civil War. General Meade's Union forces turn back Lee's Confederates force during battle. The battle ends in an important Union Victory. -
Battle of Chikamauga
Fought in Northwest Georgia,the Battle of Chickamauga was the first major battle of the war fought in Georgia. It had the second-highest number of casualties after the Battle of Gettysburg.It ended in a Confederate victory and was in fact one of the heaviest Union defeats. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln's dedicates a speech to the military at Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg. On this day he delivers the Gettysburg Address which goes down as one of the best-known speeches in American history. -
Lincoln Issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
pardon those who participated in the "existing rebellion" if they take an oath to the Union. It was clear that Lincoln was beginning to make plans for postwar reconstruction. -
Escape From Libby Prison
Libby Prison, Richmond. After weeks of digging, over 100 Union prisoners-of-war escape from captivity. It was one of the most successful prison breaks of the American Civil War. -
Camp Sumter Prison Camp Opens
In Georgia, also known as "Andersonville Prison Camp", Camp Sumter opens. It will become known for it's horrific conditions and extremely high death rate among inmates. -
Battle of Mansfield
Fought in Desoto Parish, Louisiana, After resistance, the Union army was beaten by the Confederates. The Confederates consisted mainly of units from Louisiana and Texas -
Capture of Fort Pillow
Fort Pillow, Tennessee, Confederates under Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked and overwhelmed the Union garrison at Fort Pillow. There were African American troops who had surrendered but Forrest's angered troops massacred them anyway. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Fought in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Grant had been hoping to capture the Spotsylvania Courthouse and block Lee and his troops from retreating. The Confederates led by Lee managed to get there first and it resulted in a bloody hand to hand fight which ended inconclusively. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
Fought near Mechanicsville, Virginia, many Union soldiers die after multiple failed attacks in attempts to weaken the Confederate line of Defense. It is a very lopsided battle. -
Second Battle of Petersburg
Union forces led by Ulysses S. Grant tried to capture Petersburg, Virginia, before Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia could go reinforce the city. The battle ended in a Confederate victory. -
Abraham Lincoln Wins Re-election
Sherman’s victory in Atlanta boosted Lincoln’s popularity and helped him win the re-election. This was a defining moment in the war. -
New York Burns
A group of eight Confederate operatives that go by the name "Confederate Army of Manhattan" set fires in more than 20 places. It is an unsuccessful attempt at burning New York down. -
Battle of Nashville
Fought in Nashville, Tennessee, The Confederate Army under John Bell Hood is thoroughly defeated and the threat to Tennessee ends. This was one of the largest victories achieved by the Union Army during the war. -
13th Amendment is Ratified
On January 31, 1865 the 13th Amendment is ratified. This amendment outlawed slavery and freed slaves. -
Battle of Bentonville
Fought in Bentonville, North Carolina, after successful defenses by the Union army led by Sherman, The Confederates led by Johnston have no choice but to surrender. This is a result of the overwhelming Union strength and the heavy casualties the Confederates suffered in the battle. -
Battle of Five Forks
Fought southwest of Petersburg, Virginia, A Union combined infantry, artillery and cavalry Army commanded by General Philip Sheridan defeated a Confederate States Army combined task force from the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by General George Pickett. -
Civil War is Over
After Lee surrenders the American Civil War is finally over. Although over, there were still a number of small battles that took place afterwards. -
Battle of Appotomax Court House
Lee launched an attack to break through the Union forces to his front, thinking the Union force was made up of lightly armed cavalry. When he realized that the cavalry was now backed up by two corps of Federal infantry, he had no choice but to surrender with his further avenue of retreat and escape now cut off. -
Lee Signs Surrender Document
At the Appomattox Court House, Lee signs an official surrender document, a day after his surrender. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
On April 15, 1865 Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Fords Theatre in Washington D.C.. Booth planned on assassinating Lincoln to throw the government into utter chaos -
Assassination of John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin is shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia. Union soldiers tracked him down 12 days after he assassinated President Lincoln. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
The Battle of Palmito Ranch is recognized by many as the last battle of the Civil War although the war had technically been over. It was fought in Cameron County, Texas and resulted in a Confederate victory. -
13th Amendment is Ratified
The 13th Amendment is finally ratified. The 13th amendment makes slavery legal and officially abolishes slavery -
Lincoln's Birthday
On February 12 it is the anniversary of Lincoln's Birth. It has been a full year since he passed. An observation is held in Washington D.C. -
Jesse James
Jesse and his brother Frank James, who were Confederate guerrillas during the Civil War, turn to crime and create the James-Younger Gang. Their first robbery is the first daylight armed bank robbery in the United States in peacetime of the Clay County Savings Association in the town of Liberty, Missouri. -
Congress Overrides Veto
Johnson vetoed the bill to support the 13th Amendment. Although he vetoed it, two-thirds majority in each chamber overcame the veto and the bill therefore became law. -
ASPCA is Founded
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is founded in New York City by Henry Bergh. It's main goal is rescuing animals. -
Jefferson Nickel
The Nickel was issued and produce made of nickel and copper in . It was and still is worth 5 cents. -
Tennessee Readmitted
Tennessee is readmitted to the Union. No longer part of the CSA, Tennessee must follow the Union's rules. -
Metric Act of 1866
Weights and measures are standardized in the United States when the Metric Act of 1866 passes Congress. It is unique compared to the system in Europe -
National Union Convention
The National Union Convention is held in Philadelphia to try and get the Radical Republicans in Congress to agree with the Reconstructionist policies of President Andrew Johnson. -
The First Train Robbery
The first known train robbery in America took place when the Reno brothers boarded an eastbound train in Indiana wearing masks and toting guns. -
Ku Klux Klan
The Klu Klux Klan forms secretly to discourage blacks from voting. There is an era of brutal and shameful acts of terror and crime in southern states as many were angered about the new granted civil rights for freed slaves. -
Missouri Ratifies 14th Amendment
On this day Missouri ratifies the 14th amendment. This gives slaves even born in Missouri citizenship. -
15th Amendment Ratified
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869, the 15th Amendment was ratified on February 3, 1867. This Amendment gave black males the right to vote. -
Peabody Fund
he Peabody Education Fund was established by George Peabody in 1867 fto promote "intellectual, moral, and industrial education in the most destitute portion of the Southern States." -
West Virginia University is Established
West Virginia University is established in Morgantown, West Virginia. -
Nebraska
On March 3, 1876 Nebraska becomes a state. Nebraska is the 38th State. -
Alaska Purchase
William P. Seward signs a treaty with Russia buying Alaska for 2 cents an acre. Many U.S. citizens called it "Seward's ice box" or "Seward's Folly." -
Belmont Stakes
The first running of the Belmont Stakes occurs at Jerome Park race track. The race was won by filly Ruthless with a winning purse of $1,850. -
Elevated Railroad
On this day The first elevated railroad in USA begins service in New York. It is an innovative form of transportation. -
Harvard Dental School
In Boston, Massachusetts, the Harvard School of Dental Medicine is established as the first dental school in the United States. -
Reconstruction Acts of 1867
these laid out the process for readmitting Southern states into the Union. The 14th provided former slaves with national citizenship, and the 15th granted black men the right to vote.
