Civil War Timeline

Lincoln Elected as President

Nov 6, 1860

Lincoln was eleceted president and this caused many states to drop out of the union. This is because Lincoln was a big supporter of the northern states and their beliefs. It is one of the biggest causes of the civil war.

Confederacy is formed

Feb 4, 1861

7 States get together to form the Confederacy. They wrote their own constitution and planned to start a new independent nation.

Battle of Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

This was the battle stat started the war. Confederates attacked Union soldiers until they surrendered. No one was killed from the attack.

Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The Battle of Bull Run was one of the biggest at the beginning of of the civil war. The Union tried a large surprise attack against the confederates. The South ended up beating the Union and halting their plan to quickly stop the rebellion.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Lee's forces were heavily outnumbered by McClellan's Union force. There was over 23,000 casualties, which is more than any other American battle before. Lee was forced to retreat.

Emancipation Proclamation

Sep 23, 1862

Lincoln orders all slaves in the rebelling states to be freed at the start of the next year. Brittian realizes that whatever side they pick will end up having no slaves. The Confederates are outraged.

Gettysburg

Jul 8, 1863

Over 165,000 soldiers faught in the largest battle in the Western Hemisphere. Lee had to retreat after 3 days of fighting. Total casualties: 23,000 Union, 28,000 Confederates. Lincoln then gave a motivational speach to help encourage the low moralled troops.

General Sherman

Nov 15, 1864

General Sherman destroys Atlanta and marches his troops south. They destroy railroads, houses and crops burning them all to the ground to lower confederate morale.

Lee Surrenders

Apr 9, 1865

Lee was forced to surrender after having major casualties to his army. The Confederates were given genrous terms of surrender. This marked an end to the American Civil War.