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South Carolina secedes from US
Unanimous vote for South Carolina to secede. First of seven states to secede from the Union. -
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
In his Inaugural Address, Lincoln stated his stance on slavery. He said that he promised not to interfere where slavery already exists. -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
General Beauregard lead an attack that lasted 34 hours on Fort Sumter, resulting in US Major Robert Anderson to surrender the fort. -
Lincoln suspends habeus corpus
Gave military authorities power to silence any rebels. Commanders could arrest anyone they deemed as a threat to the military. -
Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy
Decision was made to name Richmond, Virginia the new capital of the Confederacy. Virginia had a strategic importance to the war. -
First Battle of Bull Run is fought
Known as the first Battle of Manassas. The Union and Confederate army fought at the Manassas junction. 35,000 Union troops marched down from the U.S. capital to fight against the 20,000 men Confederate army at what is known as the Bull Run. -
Jefferson Davis elected President of the Confederacy
Confirmation of decision to have Davis become the president of the Confederacy a year earlier. Davis was elected to a 6 year term. -
The Merrimac and the Monitor fight of the Virginia coast
Famous for it being the first battle of Ironclads warships. This battle shaped the war for future naval developments. Battle was indecisive but many believe it resulted in a win for the Monitor. -
Battle of Shiloh
One of the major early engagements of the Civil War. Union army under Ulysses S. Grant were surprise attacked by the Confederacy. The battle ended in a Union victory. -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
Robert E. Lee became well known by the end of the war for his great commanding skills. His Army of Northern Virginia participated in many important battles throughout the war. -
Battle of Antietam
The deadliest one day battle in American history occurred at Antietam Creek. The Union stopped Robert E. Lee's attempt of invading the North. This was a vital battle in the Civil War. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Ambrose Burnside ordered 120,000 troops to cross the Rappahannock river. They then made a two pronged attack against Robert E. Lee's army of 80,000 men stationed at Fredericksburg. The Confederate came out of this battle victorious and with a lot of momentum. -
Emancipation Proclamation is annoucned
Declared that all slaves that are held in the Confederate states are to be freed. He said this was a military action to have it not be deemed as unconstitutional. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Biggest victory for Robert E. Lee and the Confederate army. Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Robert E. Lee marched his confederate army to Pennsylvania and fought against Union's army of Potomac. The battle lasted 3 days and resulted in a Union victory when Robert E. Lee had to retreat his men back to Virginia on July 4. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
Pemberton wanted to negotiate with Grant to surrender his city and army. Lincoln saw Vicksburg as a key role in the Confederacy -
New York City draft riots
Caused by the angry working class citizens of New York City enraged at the new federal draft law. 5 days of the most destructive and bloodiest rioting. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address
Lincoln spoke at the dedication ceremony for the National Cemetery of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. He spoke on human equality and how the american people need to protect the Union that was established in 1776. -
Atlanta is captured
Part of Grants new plan to attack all Confederate fronts. This was a crucial capture that the Confederacy never recovered from. -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election
First president to win the re-election since Andrew Jackson. This election made sure Lincoln would be president over the Union when the war concluded and they were victorious. -
Sherman begins his march to the sea
Union General Sherman marched to try and scare Georgia's civilians into the leaving the confederacy. They only looted and destroyed the buildings and barns of people who fought back. -
Congress passes the 13th amendment
Abolished slavery in the United States. -
Freedmen's Bureau is created
A bureau for the freed slaves relief. Provided food, shelter, clothing, and medical services. -
Richmond falls to the Union army
Confederate lines near Petersburg broke, leaving the Confederate capital defenseless. This was a sign that the Confederacy were in their final days. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
In Appomattox courthouse, Lee surrendered along with his 28,000 troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. This was the conclusion of the civil war. -
Lincolns Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln spoke to the nation pleading for forgiveness of both sides. Stressed the importance of unity. -
President Lincoln Assassinated
Famous actor, John Wilkes Booth, assassinated Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. Booth shot Lincoln in his sweet in the upper deck of the theater and then escaped on horseback. -
John Wilkes Booth is killed
12 days after assassinating President Lincoln, Booth was tracked down by Union men and killed in a Virginia farm.