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The Civil War
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Jefferson Davis favors Secession
United States Senator of Mississippi, Jefferson Davis comes out for the first time saying that he favors secession. -
Republican Convention
The convention for the Republican Party begins and it is held in Chicago, Ilinois. -
Lincoln is Nominated
Abraham Lincoln wins the election to be selected to represent the Republican Party for the presidential election. He is chosen over leading candidates William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase and 12 other candidates. Abolitionist Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, is chosen for vice-president. -
Lincoln Wins the Presidential Election
Republican Abraham Lincoln wins the Presidential election with 39.7% of the vote, defeating Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge and John Bell. -
South Carolina is Not Happy
South Carolina is not happy with the recent election of Lincoln for President. The state calls for a convention to be held on December 17 to decide if the state should secede from the Union. -
Fort Sumter in Danger?
Major Robert Anderson reports Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, is being threatened by forces. -
South Carolina Secessionist Convention Meets
South Carolina Secessionist Convention meets as planned. They decide unanimously to secede from the Union. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina's convention officially approves the Ordinance of Secession. They have now officially seceded from the Union. They are the first state to do so. -
Major Anderson Moves to Fort Sumter
Major Robert Anderson transfers his command from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. He feels it would be impossible to hold Fort Moultrie and defend against South Carolina militia. -
Troops are Coming!?
Charleston, South Carolina is notified by telegraph that a man of war with troops is on the way. Possible battle/conflict could be on it's way. -
Mississippi Secedes
Mississippi secedes from the Union. They are the second state to leave. -
Florida Leaves
Florida secedes from the Union. The are the third state to do so. -
Kansas Enters
Even though States continue to secede from the Union, Kansas does otherwise. They admit to the Union. -
The Confederate States of America is Fromed
Many more Southern States follow in South Carolina's footsteps and secede from the Union. These seceded states join together and form the Confederate States of America. -
Jefferson Davis is Elected as the President of the Confederate States
The Confederate States were meet to pick their President. They had considered William Yancey, Howell Cobb, Robert Toombs, Alexander Stephens, and Robert Barnwell Rhett, but settled on electing Jefferson Davis. They also select Alexander Stephens, a pro-Union and friend of Abraham Lincoln, as Davis's vice-president. -
Major Anderson Messages Lincoln
Major Anderson sends President Linoln a message on the President's Inauguration Day. He says Southern troops are demanding the surrender of Fort Sumter. Lincoln would reply by sending food and telling Anderson not to abandon the fort. -
The Confederates make their First Flag
The First Confederate Flag, known as the "Stars and Bars," is introduced. -
War is Declared!
At 4:30 am on April 12th, continuing until the morning of the 13th, Confederate troops along the shore of Charleston Harbor fire on Fort Sumter. This officially declares the Civil War. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
About 25 miles southwest of Washington in Manassas, Virginia, the first major battle of the Civil War takes place. It takes place in a small creek, Bull Run. Union general Irvin McDowell goes against the Confederate General Thomas Jackson. The Union troops are disorganized and retreat, and the Confederates win their first battle. General Jackson is also given the nickname "Stonewall" for holding his position during battle. -
McClellan is in Charge
George B. McClellan is appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac following the defeat at Bull Run. He replaces Irvin McDowell to become the new Union Comander. -
"Unconditional Surrender" Grant
General Ulysses S. Grant demands the unconditional surrender of Confederate troops at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. This is how he erans his nickname, "Unconditional Surrender." -
The Battle of Shiloh
In southwest, Tennessee, Ulysses S. Grant and his Union troops defeat Confederate troops in a battle near a church named Shiloh. The battle showed the importance of using scouts, building fortifications, and trench warfare. -
Farragut Takes New Orleans
After a battle with Confederate ships at English Turn, Commander David Farragut went to New Orleans and demanded the surrender of the largest city and most important port in the South. -
Robert E. Lee is in Charge
Confederate President, Jefferson Davis relieves wounded commander Joseph E. Johnston of his duties. He replaces him with Robert E. Lee to run the Army of Northern Virginia. -
Seven Day's Battles
A series of battles took place for seven days and ended on July 1st. Even though General Lee had less men and more lost, he still unnerved General McClellan and the Union troops to retreat. The Confederates had one these battles becuase of McClellan's cowardness. -
The Second Battle at Bull Run
Robert E. Lee leads his troops against Union forces in another battle at Bull Run. The Confederates are victorious once again. -
Battle of Harpers Ferry
Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson surrounded, bombarded, and captured the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry, Virginia for an easy Confederate victory. On top of this great victory, Stonewall would also go on to take 12,000 Union prisoners. -
Battle of Antietam
Union forces under General McClellan met up with Confederate forces under General Lee at Antietam. This is the bloodiest clash not only in the war but also in american history. The Confederates retreat, allowing the Union to be victorious this time. However, it is thought that if McClellan chased after the Confederates troops, the Union might have won the war right then and there. -
McClellan is Fired
After the bloody battle at Antietam, President Lincoln fires McClellan for having the "slows." Ambrose E. Burnside assumes command of the Army of the Potomac, taking McClellan's position. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
General Ambrose Burnside and the Army of the Potomac is soundly beaten by Lee's Army of North Virginia. -
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into Effect
President Abe Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves in Confederate States. -
General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker Takes Over
President Abraham Lincoln relieves General Ambrose Burnside from command of the Army of the Potomac and replaces him with General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
General "Fighting Joe" Hooker's Army of the Potomac is defeated by Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in the Battle of Chancellorsville. -
West Virginia Enters
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States. However, it is the first to enter where the terms slave state and free state no longer matter. -
The Battle at Gettysburg Begins
Both the Union and Confederate sides met by chance in the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Union leader, John Buford ordered his men to reach higher ground while Confederate leader, A.P. Hill and his men were in search of General Lee and shoes. They ran into Buford and the battle began. -
Day 2 at Gettysburg
General Lee orders James Longstreet and his men to advance from Seminary Ridge to Cemetary Hill. Confederates have a chance to take the high ground but Union member Joshua L. Chamberlain, also known as the "Fighting Professor", stops them from doing so. -
Day 3 at Gettysburg
Longstreet orders his men to advance to try and break the Union lines. However, a fence in the middle of the field ruin their chances to attack. The Union have won this three day battle. -
Confederates Surrender at Vicksburg
Grant surrounds the twon of Vicksburg. The Union need this area to successfull secure the Mississippi. He shells the town, causing the townspeople and Confederate troops to be short on supplies. The Confederates surrender and the Union has total control of the Mississippi. -
Battle of Chickamauga
Confederate Genral Braxton Bragg' and his Army of Tennessee defeated a Union force commanded by General William Rosecrans in the Battle of Chickamauga. This is the bloodiest two days in American history. -
The Gettysburg Address
At the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg President Lincoln delivers a two-minute speech known as the Gettysburg Address. It is an attempt to unify the nation. -
13th Amendment is Proposed
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution is proposed by Senator John B. Henderson of Missouri. This Amendment would abolish slavery completely. -
Prisoners come to Andersonville
Federal prisoners begin arriving at Camp Sumter in Andersonville. This would be considered one of the worst and cruelest prison in American history -
Ulysses S. Grant Takes Charge of Entire Union Army
Ulysses S. Grant promoted to Lieutenant General and given command of all active United States forces. -
Abe wants Nevada and Colorado to Enter
Even though they don't meet population requirements, Abraham Lincoln signs a legislation to allowNevada and Colorado to become states. -
"In God We Trust"
The motto "In God We Trust" is approved for US coinage as part of the Coinage Act of 1864. -
Battle of the Wilderness
Ulysses S. Grant is badly beaten on the field by Robert E. Lee in the Battle of the Wilderness. However, rather than retreat, Grant advances to Spotsylvania Court House. -
Lincoln is Nominated Again
The Republican National Convention nominates Abraham Lincoln to run for President and Andrew Johnson to run for Vice-President. -
Nevada Officially Enters
Nevada officially becomes the 36th state in the United States. -
Abe is President Again
Republican Abraham Lincoln defeats Democrat George McClellan to serve a second term as President of the United States. Andrew Johnson, is his Vice President. -
Sherman's March to the Sea Begins
It is said that on this day, Sherman began his path of destruction to the coast, known as the "March to the Sea." -
13th Amendment is Ratified
The 13th Amendment is passed by the U. S. House. -
Lee wants to "Iron out Differences" with Grant
Robert E. Lee sends a message to Ulysess S. Grant asking for a conference to "iron out differences" between the North and the South. This is the first true time two sides are trying to make peace. -
War is Over!
Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysess S. Grant at the home of Wilmer McLean in Appomattox Court House. The Civil War is oficially over. -
Lincoln is Shot!
President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated on Good Friday by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre, Washington, D. C. -
Lincoln is Dead!
Abraham Lincoln dies in a boardinghouse opposite Ford's Theater. Andrew Johnson takes the oath of office. -
Confederate Troops Surrender
Sherman and Confederate General Joe Johnston reach an agreement on the surrender of all remaining armies in the Confederacy. A few days later Sherman realizes President Johnson rejected the surrender terms, however on April 26, 1865, Johnston officially surrenders to Sherman. -
John Wilkes Booth is Killed
John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed while trying to flee a burning tobacco shed. -
Davis is Captured
Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured near Irwinville. While this is occurring, President Johnson declares armed resistance to an end. -
The Last Civil War Battle
The last significant fighting of the Civil War takes place at the Palmito Ranch along the Rio Grande between Col. Theodore Barrett and John S. "RIP" Ford. -
Davis is Imprisoned
Jefferson Davis becomes a prisoner to the Union. He is imprisoned at Fort Monroe. -
New Freedmen's Bureau Bill is Passed
New Freedmen's Bureau bill is passed by Congress. President Andrew Johnson also vetoes the bill that authorized military trial for those accused of "depriving Negroes of the Civil Rights" on the same day. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866 Vetoed
President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act of 1866. He believes it to be unconstitutional. -
U.S. Makes Peace with States
The United States declares that a state of peace exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. -
Congress Buys Ford's Theater
Congress use $100,000 to buy Ford's Theater. It will house the Army Medical Museum, the Office of the Surgeon General and War Department records until 1893. -
Congress Overides Johnson's Veto
Congress overrides President Andrew Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights Act. -
Congress approves the 14th Amendment
Thirty-ninth Congress approves the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. This Amendment granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed. -
Congress Overrides Johnson's Freedman's Bureau Bill Veto.
Congress overrides Andrew Johnson's veto of the Freedman's Bureau bill. -
Grant, Sherman, Farragut Promoted
Congress establishes "general of the armies" and promote Ulysses S. Grant to the position of 4-star general. William Tecumseh Sherman assumes the rank of Lt. General. Congress also creates the rank of Admiral and appoint David Farragut to this rank. -
New Jersey Approves 14th Amendment
New Jersey ratifies the 14th Amendment. -
South Carolina Rejects the 14th Amendment
On the 6th anniversary of when they seceded from the Union, South Carolina rejects the 14th Amendment. -
Black Gain Right to Vote in D.C.
Black men in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Nebraska Becomes a State
Nebraska becomes a state to become the 37th state to enter the Union. -
Tenure of Office Act Passed
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act, denying the right of the President to remove officials who had been appointed by Congress. -
Congress Enacts Reconstruction Act
Congress enacted the Reconstruction Act, which divided the South (except Tennessee) into five military districts in which the authority of the army commander was supreme. -
Alexandria, Virginia Reject Black Votes
In Alexandria, Virginia thousands of votes cast by Negroes were rejected, even though they were granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
2nd Reconstruction Act Passed
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act over Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Seward Buys Alaska from Russia
William H. Seward signs a treaty with Russia buying Alaska for 2 cents an acre. Democrats called it "Seward's Folly". -
Senate Approves Alaska Purchase
Senate ratifies treaty purchasing Alaska. -
South Carolina and Other States are Admitted back into Union
Congress passes a bill admitting Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, who refused to ratify the fourteenth amendment, were refused to admit back into the Union. -
U.S. Officially get Alaska
Russia turns over Alaska to the United States.
