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Civil War Timeline- Lizzy Sheridan
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Lincoln gives speech
On this date, Abrhaham Lincoln gives a speech at Cooper Union in New York City against the spread of slavery, helping his campaign for the Presidential Election. -
Democratic Convention
The official convention ended in a deadlock in choosing a candidate for President. However, a resumed convention nominated Stephen Douglas as the Presidential candidate. -
Republican Party nominates Lincoln as Presidential Candidate
At the Republican National Convention, the Republican Party nominates Abraham Lincoln as its Presidential Candidate for the upcoming election. -
Abraham Lincoln becomes President
On this date, Abraham Lincoln is elected as the first Republican president. -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
On this date, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis starts the Confederate States of America on this day in 1861. -
Abraham Lincoln sworn in
Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as the 16th President of the United States of America -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Confederates, under General Pierre Beauregard, open fire with 50 cannons on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This begins the Civil War. -
Lincoln issues a proclamation
Lincoln calls for 75,000 militiamen. Robert E. Lee is offered command of the Union army, however he declines. -
Virginia secedes from the Union
Virginia secedes from the Union. Within five weeks, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina follow and secede as well. -
Robert E. Lee resigns from the US Army
"I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children."
After resigning from the US Army, Lee goes to Richmond, Virginia, where he is offered command of the military and naval forces of Virginia, which he accepts. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The Union Army suffers a defeat at Bull Run, where General Jackson earns the nickname "Stonewall Jackson." -
George McLellan becomes Commander of the Department of the Potomac
Lincoln appoints McLellan as Commander of the Department of the Potomac, as a replacement for McDowell. -
McLellan becomes general-in-chief of all Union forces
Abraham Lincoln appoints McLellan as the general-in-chief of all Union forces. -
General War Order No. 1
Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1 calling for all United States naval and land forces to begin a general advance by February 22. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate surprise attack on U.S. Grant's unprepared troops at Shiloh results in 13,000 Union killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
75,000 Federals are defeated by 55,000 Confederates at the second battle of Bull Run in Northern Virginia. The Union Army retreats to Washington. -
Lee invades the North with 50,000 Confederates
Lee invades the North with 50,000 Confederates and heads for Harper's Ferry. The Union Army of 90,000 men, pursue Lee. -
Battle of Antietam
Antietam is the bloodiest single day battle in US military history. Lee withdraws the Confederate army to Virginia after 26000 are killed or wounded. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves. -
Lincoln appoints Joseph Hooker as Commander of the Army of the Potomac
Joseph Hooker becomes the Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Burnside. -
Chancellorsville
The Union Army under General Joseph Hooker is defeated by the much smaller Confederate Army. 17,000 Union men are killed, wounded, or missing. -
Stonewall Jackson dies
Stonewall Jackson dies from wounds sustained at the battle of Chancellorsville. His last words were "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Confederates are defeated in this three day battle in Pennsylvania. -
Vicksburg surrenders to General Grant
Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississipi River, surrenders to General Grant, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two. -
Battle of Chickamauga
This Confederate victory leaves General Rosecrans' Union Army of the Cumberland trapped in Chattanooga, Tennessee. -
General Grant in charge of all operations in the western theater
On this date, President Abraham Lincoln appoints General Grant to command all operations in the western theater. -
Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln delivers a two minute speech known to begin with the phrase "Four score and seven years ago..." at a ceremony dedicating the Battlefield at Gettysburg as a National Cemetary. -
Battle of Chattanooga
Union forces under General U.S. Grant defeat the Confederates under General Braxton Bragg in this three day battle. -
Lincoln appoints Grant as commander of all of the armies of the US
Sherman succeeds Grant as commander in the west. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
7,000 Union casualties in tweny minutes. -
Atlanta is captured by Sherman's Army
"Atlanta is ours, and fairly won" said Sherman in a telegraph to Lincoln. This win helps Lincoln's re-election campaign. -
Lincoln Re-elected
Lincoln defeats the democratic McClellan, carrying all but three states. -
March to the Sea
After destroying Atlanta's warehouses and railroad facilities, Sherman, with 62,000 men begins a March to the Sea. -
Congress approves the thirteenth amendment
The Amendment is then sent to the states for ratification -
Peace Conference Occurs
President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at Hampton Roads in Virginia, but the meeting ends in failure and the war continues. -
Lincoln's Inaugaration Ceremony
"With malice toward none; with charity for all...let us strive on to finish the work we are in...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations," -Abraham Lincoln -
Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army
At the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia, Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to U.S. Grant. -
Lincoln's Assassination
John Wilkes Booth shoots Abraham Lincoln at the Fords Theatre.
