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South Carolina votes to secede from the United States
On December 20th South Carolina became the first state to secede from the United States. Ten other states followed suit making a total of 11. -
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
On March 4th, 1861 Lincoln was sworn into office and gave his first inaugural address that day. He talked about how he wanted to work with the South to keep their slaves if that made them happy. -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
President Lincoln had plans to resupply Fort Sumter. The Confederate army fired on Fort Sumter on April 12 going on for 34 hours. -
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Under the order, commanders could jail anyone they deemed threatening to military operations. -
Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy
The original capital was in Alabama but was moved to Richmond, Virginia. It was moved because of Virginia's importance. -
First Battle of Bull Run is fought
This was the first battle or two that was fought at a small stream known as Bull Run. The Confederates won the first major battle of the Civil War. -
Jefferson Davis elected President of the Confederacy
He was elected to run the Confederate States of America. He ran unopposed and elected to serve for six years. -
The Merrimack and the Monitor fight of the Virginia coast
The Battle of Monitor and Merrimack was also known as the Battle of Hampton Roads. This was the first battle to employ the ironclad. -
Battle of Shiloh
From April 6th to the 7th in 1862 the Battle of Shiloh took place. This battle was a major early fight in the war where the Confederate army launched a surprise attack on the Union army. -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
It was originally called the Confederate Army of the Potomac. It was renamed Army of North Virginia when Robert E. Lee took command. -
Battle of Antietam
This was the bloodiest one-day battle of the war. This was also the battle that gave Lincoln the confidence to issue his Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
On December 11 through the 15 the battle of Fredericksburg was fought. This battle saw heavy losses for the Union army and a low point of the war. -
Emancipation Proclamation is announced
This is now the third year of the Civil War and he gave his famous Emancipation Proclamation speech. Stating that all slaves held in the rebellious states shall now be free. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Starting on April 30th, 1863, and going on to May 6th. This battle was a huge victory for the Confederate army and Stonewall Jackson was wounded in this battle -
Battle of Gettysburg
This fight that took place at and around Gettysburg on July 1-3 was a turning point in the war. Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the North to force a surrender failed. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
It was originally supposed to be a brief cease-fire. On July 4th, 1863 was when the surrender was signed and the Union took command of the city. -
New York City draft riots
From July 11th to the 16th riots started in New York City. This was all because of the federal draft that started up. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address
On November 19th, 1863 Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. Stating the Civil war was over a new birth of freedom. -
Atlanta is captured
This was a much-needed victory for the Union. It boosted Northern morale and ensured Lincoln's re-election. -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election
Lincoln easily defeated McClellan and won re-election. With 55% of the popular vote. -
Sherman begins his March to the Sea
On November 15th, 1864 the March to the Sea begins. They torched industrial sections of Atlanta. -
Congress passes the 13th Amendment
On January 31st, 1865 the House passed the 13th amendment. The 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States. -
Freedmen's Bureau is created
Congress passed an act to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced Southerners. This included newly freed slaves. -
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln gave his second Inaugural Address during his inauguration as President. Lincoln asked in the speech for mutual forgiveness. -
Richmond falls to the Union Army
The fall of the Capital Richmond was a significant sign that the Confederate army was about to lose. After a nine-month siege on April 2nd, 1865 the capital fell. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
On April 9th, 1865 Robert E. Lee surrendered. He surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant. -
President Lincoln assassinated
President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at the Peterson House in Washington D.C. He died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15th. -
John Wilkes Booth is killed
Boston Corbett avenged Lincoln's death. He was the man that shot John Wilkes Booth.