-
Abraham Lincoln was elected as a Republican, with 180/303 electoral votes and 40% of the popular vote.
-
The Confederate Sates of America form with Jefferson Davis as president. This consisted of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas who all seceded from the Union.
-
The Confederates under the command of Gen. Pierre Beauregard attacked Fort Sumter with 50 cannons. This marked the start of the Civil War
-
President Lincoln issued a blockade on Southern Ports which would limit the non-industrialized south's ability to stay supplied throughout the war.
-
Robert E. Lee resigns from the Union army and is then offered command over the military and navy in Virginia to which he accepts.
-
President Lincoln appoints McClellan as general in chief of all Union forces.
-
Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1. This called for all Union forces to advance by Feb. 22
-
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Henry and later Fort Donelson for the Union.
-
The Confederates surprise attacked General Grants troops in Tennessee resulting in 13,000 Union troops dead or wounded, and 10,000 Confederate troops dead or wounded. This was the most in US history.
-
Seven Days Battles as Lee attacks McClellan near Richmond, resulting in very heavy losses for both armies, as McClellan retreats.
-
The bloodiest day in U.S. military history as Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland by McClellan and numerically superior Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. Lee then withdraws to Virginia.
-
Lincoln appoints Ambrose E. Burnside as Commander of the Union forces over McClellan. Lincoln grew impatient with McClellan.
-
President Lincoln issues a proclamation freeing all the slaves in Confederate States. He put stress on the enlisting to join the Union army.
-
Congress enacts the draft which enlisted males ages 20-45 to sign up for the army, or to pay a $300 substitute
-
The North start to gain traction as they defeat the south in the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.
-
President Lincoln Meets with the abolitionist Frederick Douglas to have full equality for Union's black troops
-
Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president, defeating Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln carries all but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes
-
Sherman reaches Savannah in Georgia leaving behind a 300 mile long path of destruction 60 miles wide all the way from Atlanta. Sherman then telegraphs Lincoln, offering him Savannah as a Christmas present.
-
Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Grant allows Rebel officers to keep their sidearms and permits soldiers to keep horses and mules.
-
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, is finally ratified. Slavery is abolished.
