-
Period: to
Civil War Timeline-Thompson
-
Abraham Lincoln
Becomes 16th president of the United States of America. The first Republican president -
South Carolina
When Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president, the South Carolina legislature perceived a threat. -
Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis was named provisional president of the Confederacy until elections could be held. -
West Virginia is made
Residents of the western counties of Virginia did not wish to secede along with the rest of the state. This section of Virginia was admitted into the Union as the state of West Virginia -
First Battle of Bull Run
McDowell attacked on July 21, and was initially successful, but the introduction of Confederate reinforcements resulted in a Southern victory and a chaotic retreat toward Washington by federal troops. -
Seven More Secede
Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tenesee secede from the Union. Called the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis is elected President of the Confederacy for a six-year term. -
President Lincoln Takes Charge
President Lincoln issued a war order authorizing the Union to launch a unified aggressive action against the Confederacy. General McClellan ignored the order. -
McClellan Loses Command
President Lincoln issued an order reorganizing the Army of Virginia and relieving McClellan of supreme command. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate forces attacked Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant at Shiloh -
Simmon's Bluff South Carolina
troops of the 55th Pennsylvania landed from the gunboat Crusader and transport Planter near Simmon's Bluff on Wadmelaw Sound, surprising and burning an encampment of the 16th South Carolina Infantry. -
Antietam
Confederate forces under General Lee were caught by General McClellan in Maryland. This battle proved to be the bloodiest day of the war; 2,108 Union soldiers were killed and 9,549 wounded. 2,700 Confederates were killed and 9,029 wounded. -
Emancipation Proclamation
all slaves in areas still in rebellion were, in the eyes of the federal government, free. -
The First Conscription Act
all men between the ages of 20 and 45 liable to be called for military service. Service could be avoided by paying a fee or finding a substitute -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Lee split his army, attacking a surprised Union army in three places and almost completely defeating them -
Stonewall is Dead
Stonewall Jackson dies of pneumonia following amputation of his arm at Chancellorsville -
The battle of Gettysburg
A chance encounter between Union and Confederate forces began the Battle of Gettysburg. In the fighting that followed, Meade had greater numbers and better defensive positions. He won the battle, but failed to follow Lee as he retreated back to Virginia. -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln dedicated a portion of the Gettysburg battlefield as a national cemetery, and delivered his memorable speach -
Battle of Spotsylvania
General Grant continued to attack Lee. At Spotsylvania Court House, he fought for five days, vowing to fight all summer if necessary -
The Siege of Petersburg
Grant hoped to take Petersburg, below Richmond, and then approach the Confederate capital from the south. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
General Sherman continued his march through Georgia to the sea. In the course of the march, he cut himself off from his source of supplies, planning for his troops to live off the land -
Abraham Lincoln Is Re-Elected.
Republican party nominated President Abraham Lincoln as its presidential candidate, and Andrew Johnson for vice-president -
Sherman at the Sea
After marching through Georgia for a month, Sherman stormed Fort McAllister on December 13, 1864, and captured Savannah itself eight days later -
Sherman Marches through North and South Carolina
Union General Sherman moved from Georgia through South Carolina, destroying almost everything in his path. -
A Chance for Reconciliation Is Lost
Confederate President Jefferson Davis agreed to send delegates to a peace conference with President Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward, but insisted on Lincoln's recognition of the South's independence as a prerequisite. Lincoln refused, and the conference never occurred. -
Fallen Richmond
General Lee attacked General Grant's forces near Petersburg, but was defeated -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
the two commanders met at Appomattox Courthouse, and agreed on the terms of surrender. Lee's men were sent home on parole -
Lincoln's Dead
President Lincoln dies at the age of 56 after being shot at Ford's Theatre