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Lincoln as President
Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as the 16th president. -
First Bull Run
The Union Army under General Irvin McDowell suffers a defeat at Bull Run 25 miles southwest of Washington. -
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest day in U.S. military history as General Robert Lee and the Confederate Armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland by McClellan and numerically superior Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Army of the Potomac under General Burnside suffers a costly defeat at Fredericksburg in Virginia with a loss of 12,653 men. Confederate losses are 5,309. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and allowed black soldiers in the Union Army. -
Siege of Vicksburg
The last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, surrenders to General. Grant and the Army of the West after a six week siege. With the Union now in control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy is split in two. -
Cold Harbor
A big mistake by General Grant results in 7,000 Union casualties in twenty minutes during an offensive against Rebels at Cold Harbor in Virginia -
Lincoln Re-elected
Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president, defeating Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln carries all but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes. -
13th Amendment
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery. The amendment is then submitted to the states for ratification. -
Lee Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to General Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia.
