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The Pony Express, a fast speed mail carrying service, made its first run. They went from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
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The Democratic Republic debates slavery in Charleston, South Carolina. They were divided on the issue.
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For the first time, a U.S. railroad reached Kansas. Kansas, also known as Bleeding Kansas, was a major area in the Civil War. Being very violent on the topic of slavery, it could have made slave escape easier.
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Abraham Lincoln was elected on this date as the 16th President. He was the Republican Candidate
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South Carolina seceeds from the Union. They are the first State to do this.
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Jefferson Davis was chosen to be the President of the Confederacy. Weeks later he was inaugurated.
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Fort Sumter, a Charleston Fort held by the Union, is attacked by the Confederates. They opened fire and officially started the Civil War.
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Virginia decided to seceed from the Union. In result, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina seceed and form the complete 11 state Confederacy.
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George McClellan replaces Winfield Scott as general-in-chief. He would end up making many poor decisions for the Union Army.
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The First Battle of Bull Run takes place Southwest of Washington D.C. This was considered the first battle of the Civil War. It was a Confederate victory, causing Union troops to retreat.
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Ulysses S Grant captures Fort Henry for the Union in Tennessee. Ten days later he captures Fort Donelson. This earned him the nickname "Unconditional Surrender".
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Confederate troops surprise Ulysses S. Grant at a Tennessee Church. It was a bloody massacre with many deaths on both sides.
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The Second Battle of Bull Run happened, when the Confederates attacked the Union. Once again, it led in the Union retreat.
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General Robert E. Lee decides to have his troops in Antietam, Maryland. George McClellan and his troops fought in what became the bloodiest battle in U.S. history.
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Union troops, led by General Burnside, try to assault Fredericksburg, Virginia from the front. This was a large failure with many union casualties.
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President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclomation to the United States. This declares that all slaves are free and encouraged to enlist in the army.
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The U.S. Congress enacts a draft for United States citizens. However, people could pay $300 for exemption.
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The Union troops, led by General Hooker, is strategically defeated by Robert E. Lee's smaller set of Confederate troops. There were many Union casualties.
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Stonewall Jackson dies from battle wounds. The Confederates lost a great leader and morale.
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The Union defeat the Confederate troops in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This battle was a dramatic victory for the Union and became a turning point in the war, as the Confederates were unable to capture needed resources there.
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General U.S. Grant was appointed as General of the entire U.S. army. Therefore, William T Sherman replaced him as commander in the west.
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U.S. Grant loses to the Confederates at Cold Harbor, Virginia. There were 7,000 Union casualties.
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The Democratic party nominated George McClellan as their presidential candidate. Lincoln's previous general was running against him.
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Abraham Lincoln is re-elected as President. He defeated candidate George McClellan.
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Union General William T. Sherman, after destroying Georgian warehouses and railroad facilities. Afterwards, he began to march towards the sea on a campaign.
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The Thirteenth Amendment, proposed by President Lincoln, is passed by Congress. This abolished slavery in the United States.
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General Robert E. Lee, under Jefferson Davis' orders, surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant. This took place at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia.
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While going to see the play "Our American Cousin" at the Ford's Theater in Washington D.c., Abraham Lincoln is shot. He was shot by an actor named John Wilkes Booth, who had easily made it through the theater.
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Due to his gunshot wound, Abraham Lincoln dies in the morning of April 15th, 1865. He has left Andrew Johnson as his replacement in reconstructing the country.
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John Wilkes Booth, after escaping from Washington D.C., caused one of the biggest Manhunts in American history. On April 26th, he was found in a Virginia barn, which is burned and he is shot to his death.
