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Civil War Timeline
Important dates regarding the American Civil War. -
Cooper Union Speech
A speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln in New York City, where he elaborated on his views on slavery. It is said this speech won Lincoln the election. -
Pony Express
The first American express mail service known as Pony Express began operations. -
John Bell nominated for presidency
The convention held by the U.S. Constitutional Union Party nominates John Bell for President of the United States. -
Abraham Lincoln selected as Republican Representative
Abraham Lincoln is chosen to represent the Republican political party in the upcoming election of 1860. He would later go on to win the election. -
Census Day
The eight U.S. census is conducted. The census lasted 5 months and counted 31,443,322 citizens across the 32 states and 10 territories. -
Lady Elgin sinks
Over 400 causalities come from the devastating sinking of Lady Elgin, which sunk into Lake Michigan after accidentally ramming into a schooner. -
Abraham Lincoln elected as President
Abraham Lincoln wins the 1860 election, serving as the United State's 16th president. -
Crittenden Compromise fails
The Crittenden Compromise was proposed by Senator John J. Crittenden that would make it unconstitutional to end slavery in future Congress. The proposal fails. -
South Carolina secedes
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union as a result of Lincoln's victory in the election, triggering the secession crisis as many other states follow suit. -
South Carolina's Secession Statement
South Carolina published a proclamation named the Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union, explaining the reasons for seceding from the Union -
Creation of Confederacy
The Confederate states are officially established between the 7 states that had already seceded from the Union, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. -
Lincoln moves into office
Abraham Lincoln officially is placed into presidential office. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
One of the openings battles of the Civil War, the Union army surrendering. -
Robert E. Lee declines Union command position
Robert E. Lee is offered commander in chief for the Union army. Because Lee's loyalty remained to Virginia, he declined the offer and went to join the Confederacy. -
Richmond, VA becomes Confederacy capitol
The Confederacy decides to move their capitol to Richmond, Virginia. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
The first major battle of the American Civil War. The battle was very disorganized in terms of troops and the retreat by the Union. -
500,000 Men
Abraham Lincoln calls for 500,000 men to aid in the Union army to fight in the Civil War. -
George McClellan becomes general
Abraham Lincoln summons George McClellan to appoint him as commander in chief for the Union. -
First Income Tax
Due to a lack of financial help towards the Civil War, the first income tax of the United States was established to aid the funds. -
Jefferson Davis becomes Confederate president
Jefferson Davis is elected as the president of the Confederacy. -
Capture of Fort Henry
Ulysses S. Grant successfully captures Fort Henry for the Union, earning him the nickname Unconditional Surrender. -
Battle of Hampton Roads
This was a battle taken place at sea, or a naval battle. There was no distinct winner in this battle and is concluded as a draw. -
Battle of Glorieta Pass
A battle that took place in the New Mexico Territory. Grant prevented the Confederacy from invading this territory. -
Battle of Shiloh
This battle took place near the small church named Shiloh. The battle caused thousands of causalities on both sides, but resulted in a Union victory. -
Capture of New Orleans
The capturing of New Orleans was a turning point in the war, as it captured the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Seven Pines
This battle more served as an attempt by the Confederacy in repulsed attacks to overwhelm the Union. The end result is inconclusive. -
Seven Days Battle
A series of seven battles over seven days at Richmond, Virginia. Lee was able to drive McClellan back away thanks to Lee's plethora of assaults. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
Despite the immense causalities among the Confederacy, Lee managed to pull a victory during this battle. -
Announcement of Emancipation
Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation would soon be issued as he began making official rights to slaves. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
While the Union was hit with many causalities, this battle boosted morale in the Confederacy in hopes of winning the war. -
Emancipation
Abraham Lincoln officially declares all slaves are freed from their slave owners and may aid in the Civil War as it marks 3 years in. -
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
The world's longest suspension bridge is opened, spanning between Ohio River and Covington, Kentucky. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
This battle was a major victory for the Confederacy, however, legendary General Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded. -
Stonewall Death
Shortly after the Battle of Chancellorsville concluded, Stonewall Jackson passed away due to being shot at by his own troops on accident. -
Battle of Jackson
This battle was an attempt by the Confederacy in delaying the Union troops traveling towards Vicksburg. This attempt failed. -
Siege of Vicksburg
This Union victory meant they would shortly capture Port Harbor, and thus the entire Mississippi River. This also solidified Grant's legendary reputation. -
West Virginia Becomes State
West Virginia breaks apart from Virginia due to Civil War conflicts, becoming the 35th state of the United States. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This biggest turning point of the war for the Union. Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the North fell as a result, and the North ultimately gained a much needed morale boost. -
New York Draft Riots
Violent riots scattered through Manhattan broke out over competition for job positions based on primarily race. -
Robert E. Lee wants to resign
After suffering a major blow from the Battle of Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee states to Jefferson Davis he wants to quit. Davis wouldn't let that happen or else it would've been a surrender from the Confederacy. -
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln's most iconic speech at Gettysburg spoken for 2 minutes about the Civil War and honoring the soldiers, living and dead, fighting for their lives for what they believe in. -
Battle of Olustee
Despite the Union's prevailing, this battle resulted in the Confederacy keeping control of Florida and all its cities and a retreat from the Union. -
Grant appointed lieutenant
Ulysses S. Grant is appointed by Abraham Lincoln to serve as the lieutenant and commander in chief for the Union army for the rest of the Civil War. -
Siege of Petersburg
Grant lead an attack on Lee to siege Petersburg and the Confederacy's vital supply storage. The attack was unsuccessful and lead to Grant's big mistake at the Cold Harbor. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
A disastrous defeat fell upon the Union, Grant losing more than 18,000 men due to a entrenched attack he lead, being known as Grant's biggest mistake. -
Siege of Atlanta
Atlanta falls to Union forces during the Battle of Atlanta. -
Farragut captures Mobile Bay
Rear Admiral David G. Farragut assisted attacks in the Battle of Mobile Bay, successfully managed to get Union troops to capture it. -
George McClellan nominated for election
Despite being fired by Lincoln in 1862, McClellan is going up against Lincoln in one final battle in the upcoming election. -
Nevada becomes a state
Nevada becomes the 36th state admitted into the Union. -
Lincoln is re-elected
By a landslide vote, Abraham Lincoln is re-elected for another term in office as the United States president. -
Sherman March
William Tecumseh Sherman, major general of the Union Army, led a march known as Sherman's March to the Sea in which he lead the Union through Georgia to the Atlantic Ocean. -
Battle of Bentonville
The last full-scale battle that took place in the Civil War, ending in the Confederacy retreating. -
Battle of Five Forks
Five Forks was a great victory for the Union, as they caused 1,000 Confederate causalities, 4,000 held prisoner, and captured Five Forks. -
Battle of Sailor’s Creek
Another overwhelming victory for the Union. Grant cut off the Confederacy's retreating path and ambushed them from the back. -
Surrender at Appomattox
Robert E. Lee surrenders at the Appomattox courthouse, thus concluding the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln Assassination
While watching a play, John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln from behind with a single-bullet pistol. -
Abraham Lincoln's death
Just 1 day after his assassination, President Lincoln slowly passed away the next morning in the white house. -
John Wilkes Booth killed
The man responsible for Abraham Lincoln's death was tracked down and killed. -
Lincoln Burial
Abraham Lincoln is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. -
Davis Captured
President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, is captured by the Union. -
13th Amendment ratified
The 13th Amendment, which officially abolished slavery and freed all slaves, has been ratified into the Constitution. -
Civil Rights Act
A federal law passed ensuring all born people of the United States are citizens, regardless of color or race. -
ASPCA is founded
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is founded in New York City. -
Memphis riots
A series of violent, massacre events in Memphis, Tennessee sparked by political and social racism. -
Nickel is Printed
In replacement to half-dimes, the nickel is now being minted as a 5 cent coin. -
Great Fire of Portland
Also known as one of the worst fires in American history, was a devastating fire in Portland, Maine responsible for destroying 1,500 buildings and leaving 10,000 homeless. -
Tennessee readmission
Tennessee is the first state from the Confederacy to be readmitted back to the Union. -
General of the Army
Newly introduced military ranks are being authorized through the United States, Grant earning the title of General of the Army. -
National Union Convention
A convention with the intent of nominating a candidate to represent the National Union Party is held. -
Civil War end
The Civil War was officially declared over by the Union government. -
Western Union Telegraph Expedition
An expedition set out that's being lead to reach and explore the territory of Alaska that is in possession of the Russians. -
African voting rights
African-American men are granted right to vote in the District of Columbia -
Nebraska becomes a state
Nebraska is admitted into the Union as the 37th state of the United States. -
Atlantic Cable Quartz Lode
A gold mine located in Montana, now known as Atlantic Cable Quartz Lode, earns its name. -
Alaska Purchase
The United States purchases Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. -
Kidder Massacre
Lieutenant Lyman S. Kidder and his party's bodies were found mutilated by the hands of a war party of Cheyenne and Sioux warriors. -
Elevated Railroad
The first elevated railway in the United States begins service in New York. -
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
The first ever university for medicine and the medical field is established. -
Alaska becomes state
Alaska officially is admitted as a state into the Union, becoming the 49th state. -
Medicine Lodge Treaty
An Indian Peace Treaty between numerous tribes and the U.S. government, stating peace between all relocations of the Native Americans.
