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Abraham Lincoln Elected as President
Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of the United States of America on November 6, 1860. Lincoln was against slavery and slaves were a huge part of the south's economy. For the south this was the final staw. On December 20th 1860 South Carolina seceded fromt the Union. Followed closely by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisianna, and Texas. This was the beginning of the American Civil War. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
When Lincoln took office in March of 1861 Confederate troops were threatening Fort Sumter. It wasn't until April 12th that Lincoln sent more supplies to Fort Sumter. But before the much needed supplies could arrive, the Confederacy fired the first shots of the American Civil War and the Battle of Fort Sumter began (April 12-14, 1861) On the 14th Fort Sumter was overtaken by the south. After the Battle of Fort Sumter Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee joined the Confederacy. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was the Confederacy's first major victory. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson along with 35,000 other Confederate soldiers forced the Union to retreat towards Washington D.C. The North knew after their defeat that they had underestimated the Confederacy and this was not going to be a short war. Theynorth took their defeat as a wake up call and strengthed their army, but the south's victory gave the more confidence then they needed and this delayed the growth of their army. -
The Battle of Fort Henry
Fort Henry was guarded by only 2,800 Confederade soldiers. The Union attacked Fort Henry to gain access to a water route that would lead into the heart of Confederate land. When a small number of the Confederate men surrendered, the Union troops found that most of the Confederate troops had evacuated prior to surrender. This was the first important Union victory of the American Civil War. -
The Battle of Shiloh
General Albert Sidney Johnston attacked an unprepared army of Union soldiers on April 6, 1862. During that first day of battle General Johnston was mortally wounded and replaced by P.G.T Beauregard. By April 7 the vicious counter attack by the Union took down the tired Confederate troops. This battle had 23,000 casualties and was the bloodiest battle in American History at the time. (April 6-7, 1862) -
The Battle of Richmond
On the first day of the Battle of Richmond (Aug. 29-30, 1862) Union forces forced the Confederate calvary to retreat toward Big Hill. The next morning there was an artillery battle, and the Confederacy pushed back. The Battle of Richmond ended up being on the the greatest Confederacy victories of the American Civil War. -
Battle of Antietem
The Battle Antietem was Robert E. Lee's first attempt at invading the North. But despite his great efforts the south was defeated. Not only that, but The Battle of Antietem was the single bloodiest day in American history. There were 22,700 soldiers wounded, dead, or missing. The Union's victory on the bloodiest day in American history was what convinced Ambraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclimation. -
The Emancipation Proclimation
After the Union victory in The Battle of Antietem President Lincoln decided to deliver the Emancipation Proclimation. This document stated that all slaves in the rebellious states would be freed after January 1, 1863. This freed over 4 million slaves. This cut the majory of the Confederacy's labor force, which was detrimental to their army. -
The Battle of Chancelorville
In the Battle of Chancelorville (Apr. 30 - May 6, 1863) the Confederacy crossed the Rappahannock River and attacked the Union. But, in the middle of the battle one of the Confederacy's leaders, Stonewall Jackson, was mortally wounded as the result of friendly fire. Not only did they loose a strong leader, but the Union pushed back hard, and the Confederacy was forced to go back to way they came resulting in a Union victory. -
The Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg is said to be one of the most impressive military campaigns ever. The Battle began on May 18, 1863, but after many siege operations Ulysses S. Grant split the Confederacy in half. Finally on July 4, 1863 the Union won over the Confederacy. Ulysses S. Grant's success here resulted in him be appointed General-in-Chief of the Union army. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Robert E. Lee and his troops were camped out in Gettysburg, Pennsylvannia awaiting the arrival Meade's troops. The battle began on July 1, 863. This was the beginning of the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. Finally on July 3, 1863 the Union defeated the Confederacy on Culp's Hill. 51,000 soldiers on both sides were either wounded, killed, or missing. This Union victory combined with Union victory at Vicksburg on the same day, would turn the tide towards a Union victory. -
Gettysburg Address
The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. As many as 51,000 soldiers were wounded, killed, or missing by the end of the 3 day battle. Four months after the legendary battle Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. The historic speech redefined the purpose for war, but most of all it honored all the fallen soldiers and their families. -
The Battle of Fredericksburg
The Confederate leader of the Army of Potomac, Burnside send his troops to go occupy Falmouth, which was near Fredericksburg. When the two opposing armies met Burnside led a number of frontal attacks. But, the Union's counterattacks lead by George G. Meade were too much for the Army of Potomac to handle resulting in another Union victory. (Dec. 11-14, 1863) -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
After the defeat of Richmond and Petersburg Robert E. Lee was fleeing to the west to meet up with another Confederate army led my Joseph E. Johnston. Before Lee could reach them the Union army stopped him. Instead of another battle Ulysses S. Grant reached out to Lee and asked for his surrender, but Lee wasn't ready. It wasn't until his defeat at Appomattox Station and Appomattox Courthouse that he finally surrendered. -
Abraham Lincoln is Assassination
Four days after Robert E. Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Courthouse, Abraham Lincoln went to the Ford Theatre to attend a play with his wife. While watching Our American Cousin John Wilks Booth, who was a Confederate sympathizer shot the 16th president of the United States. Lincoln was mortally wounded, but held on for dear life for hours. Sadly he slipped away the next morning. This marked the end of the Civil War.
