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Civil War Timeline
Civil War Timeline -
Cooper Union Speech
During this speech, Lincoln addressed issues regarding things such as Stephen Douglas and his view on the Founding Fathers. In doing this, Lincoln spoke about the spread of slavery and how this was reflected back to Douglas' remarks regarding the Founding Fathers. This speech about slavery was made before Lincoln was elected president, in which he gained many votes following this speech from the people who were anti-slavery. -
Pony Express Founded
The Pony Express, a 2,000 mile long railroad system stretching from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California, was put in place to have a better and faster communication between the Midwest and California. This system was put into place because the lack of communication between the two parts of the country was accentuated by the looming threat of a civil war, and by putting it into place, there was hope to stop the war from happening. -
Leading Up to the Election of 1860
Leading up to the election, the other candidates used traditional tactics to expose themselves to the general public to gain people's votes. Rather than doing the traditional methods, Lincoln began using things such as posters and images to gain the attention of the public, that would ultimately benefited him when winning the election. -
National Democratic Convention
The Democratic Convention of 1860 took place in Charleston, South Carolina, in which the convention had a lot of controversy between the party. The party 'split,' as many of its member disagreed with those in favor of Douglas and his ideals. -
Johnston Becomes Ouartermaster
Joseph E. Johnston was appointed quartermaster of the Confederacy. Johnston is remembered as one of the most senior officers of the Confederacy during the Civil War. -
Lincoln is Elected President
Lincoln is elected to become the sixteenth President of the United States. Lincoln wins with 180 electoral votes & 1,865,593 popular
votes. -
A Meeting is Called in South Carolina
Prior to choosing to leave the Union, South Carolina held a meeting to go over matters regarding the differences in opinion between South Carolina and the Union. This meeting ultimately lead to the secession of South Carolina after much discussion. -
Meetings are Ordered
The Georgia legislature voted on November 18 for an election on January 2 for delegates to a convention to meet on January 16 to consider whether the State should secede from the Union.
The Florida legislature voted to call a convention, similar to the one in Georgia. -
First Secession Convention
The first Secession Convention took place in Columbia, South Carolina. The convention took place in order to discuss ideas regarding states who wanted to remove the state from the Union. -
South Carolina Becomes the First State to Secede
After the north refrained from meeting the demands of the south, South Carolina breaks off to establish a new nation; this would become the Confederate States of America, made up of southern states that did not agree with the northern policies regarding slavery. -
Mississippi Becomes the Second State to Secede
Being a state that believes in slavery during a controversial time in the United States, especially during the time slavery was being questioned, Mississippi follows behind South Carolina to break away from the nation. Mississippi does this because the state wants to be able to kept slavery as a part of everyday life -
Texas Secedes
As southern states broke off from the United States as a whole to form a new ideology, Texas soon followed in this idea to keep slavery in the nation. This was a crucial state for the United States because it had just been annexed about 16 years before, making it an important aspect to the United States as it was a rather large piece of land for things such as resources. -
Confederate States of America Formed
As the country of the United States grew apart, many states wanted to break away to form a new nation that was comprised of the same idea; to keep slavery a part of everyday life. This first state to leave was South Carolina, and following this states like Mississippi joined. -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes President
Lincoln becomes the sixteenth President of the United States. He represented the Republican Party. -
Fort Sumter- War is Declared
Although no one died, this is what officially started the war. The South attempted to have the North surrender the fort, but Lincoln did not follow through with the south's request; shots are fired at the fort. -
Lincoln Issues a Declaration
Lincoln issues a declaration stating an insurrection must be put into place, where 75,000 militia will stop in the rebellion. Following this, six more states remove themselves from the Union and Lincoln must then expand the size of the Regular Army. -
Tennessee Becomes the Last State to Secede
Many southern states of America branched out and created a new nation of sharing similar ideologies towards things like slavery, known as the Confederate States of America. Because of this and the state's ideals, Tennessee becomes the last state to join the Confederacy, making the state pro slavery. -
Battle of Big Bethel
As the war intensified, both sides are making advancements in attempts to weaken the other. The first land battle of the Civil War is the Battle of Big Bethel, taking place in the state of Virginia. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
A battle takes place in between the Union and Confederate's capitals, on the outskirts of Virginia. This battle is an ultimate win for the Confederates because the Union is unable to make advancements due to their lack of strategy. -
Battle of Wilson's Creek
This attack was led by Union general General Nathaniel Lyon, and under his leadership, the Union attacked Confederate troops southwest of Springfield, Missouri. This battle ultimately leads to a Confederacy win with the killing of Lyon and the showing of a strong southern presence near the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Mill Springs
The Battle of Mill Springs was an important battle that took place in the state of Kentucky. It was an important battle because it was a Union win, weakening the Confederate's hold on the state -
Surrender of Fort Henry
Fort Henry, in the state of Tennessee, was a place of battle during the civil war that presented a great loss to the Confederacy. After their defeat, the Confederacy was forced to give up Fort Henry, which was located on the river, giving the Union control of the river. -
Surrender of Fort Donelson
The battle that took place at Fort Donelson was a great defeat for the Confederacy, and an epic win for the Union. Following the surrendering of the fort from the South, the Union obtained the Cumberland River, a vital southern land for the Confederacy. It is here that Ulysses S. Grant gains the nickname "Unconditional Surrender." -
Jefferson Davis Inaugrated as President of the Confederate States
Under no form of proper leadership, the Confederacy was then led to select a president to represent the states and their needs through a form of politics. Jefferson Davis would become the first and only president of the Confederate States of America. -
The Battle of Pea Ridge
This battle was an ultimate loss for the Confederacy. After winning this battle, the Union weakened the Confederate's strength in Missouri and disrupted the southern influence on a portion of the Mississippi River. (March 7-8, 1862) -
The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was a major battle that was taken place in Tennessee. Confederate general, Albert Sidney Johnston, a veteran of the Texan War for Independence and the war with Mexico, was shot and killed, damaging the South's leadership. This was ultimately a Union win, furthering Grant's success. (April 6-7) -
The Battle of Seven Pines
This battle was an attempt by the Confederacy, under General Joseph E. Johnston, to repulse the Union Army of the Potomac River. In conclusion of the war, Johnston was shot and wounded, and was then replaced by Robert E. Lee. -
The Battle of Seven Days
The Seven Days War (June 25- July 1, 1862) was a series of war battles, in which the Confederacy, under General Robert E. Lee, pushed Union forces away (The Union lead by McClellan). McClellan and the Union's attempt to take Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederate States, was weaken by the Confederate Army. -
The Battle of Second Bull Run
This battle took place on the same land as the first battle of Bull Run took place a year earlier. This battle was a win for the Confederacy, and this battle resulted in a larger number of casualties due to the fact it was much larger in scale compared to the first battle -
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862- January 3, 1863) was fought between the Union Army of the Cumberland under General William Rosecrans and the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General Braxton Bragg. This Union victory frees middle Tennessee from Confederate control and boosts northern morale. -
Emancipation Proclamation Effective
This document was put into place by Lincoln to abolish slavery in parts of the United States. Some supported this proclamation, others disagreed, saying that it did not go far enough to each part of the country to end slavery entirely. -
New Campaign Begins
In the east, Union forces start a campaign to take down Lee's army in Fredericksburg, Virginia. To the west, Union forces plan to attack the Confederacy at Vicksburg, Mississippi, the last strong foothold along the Mississippi River for the Confederacy -
Drafting in the North
Conscription begins in the North. This is the drafting of soldiers into the military service in the Union Army. This had already begun in the south a year prior to the north. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1-4, 1863) took place in Virginia and it is at this battle that Stonewall Jackson is wounded and died a few days following the war. This is a great win for the Confederacy, perhaps Robert E. Lee's greatest victories. -
Siege of Vicksburg
The siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi is under way. Ulysses S. Grant and his Union soldiers attack Confederate soldiers in the city. This is a huge threat to the South because if the South were to loss Vicksburg, the Union would have total control over the Mississippi River. -
The Battle of Brandy Station
Union cavalry, while crossing the Rapidan River towards Stuart's army, discover that Lee was moving west. This would be become the biggest cavalry battle of the Civil War and would mark the beginning of the Gettysburg campaign. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is known as the bloodiest battle during the Civil War. Following this war, Lee's hopes are advancing further north diminish. -
Lincoln Gives the Gettysburg Address Speech
This speech is dedication of Soldier's National Cemetery, a cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle Of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. This speech is remembered as one of the best known speeches of American history. -
Siege of Knoxville
In Knoxville, Tennessee, Confederate troops attempt to attack Union forces at Knoxville. The Confederacy attempt leads to heavy losses and pushes them back to Greenville, the location they will stay for the winter. -
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
This proclamation, put into place by Lincoln, would pardon anyone participating in the rebellion for the price of supporting the Union. This proclamation was an attempt to help reconstruction at the end of the war. -
Escape from Prison
109 Union soldiers, after weeks of digging, escape Libby Prison, Richmond. This would become the largest escape from prison during the war. 48 of these escapees were recaptured, 59 were able to make it back to the Union lines. -
Submarine Attack
The CSS H.L. Hunley, a seven-man submergible craft, attacked the USS Houstonic in the waters near Charleston, South Carolina. This was the first successful submarine attack of the civil war. -
Camp Sumter Prison Opening
Often referred to as Andersen Prison Camp, this prison stood as a civil war prison in Georgia. The prison's conditions were harsh, resulting in many deaths. It would be an important prison camp during this time. -
Ulysses S. Grant Appoint Lieutenant General
Ulysses S. Grant assumes the role of lieutenant general, a rank revived at the request of President Lincoln. Grant assumes command of all Union Armies in the field the following day. -
Red River Campaign
The Red River Campaign begins in Louisiana. This was meant for the Union to take control of southern parts of land by combining a army and naval commands under the supervision of Banks on the Red River -
Attack on Fort Stedman
This is seen as Lee's "last offensive," Confederate troops attack and briefly take over the fort of the Union's siege lines. Following the attack, the Union pushed back the Confederate troops and the lines were unchanged. -
Fall of Petersburg and Richmond
This is the fall of Petersburg and Richmond. General Lee leaves the cities and relocates his army in the west to attempt joining Confederate forces under General Johnston in North Carolina. -
Capture of Fort Pillow
Nathan Forrest, a Confederate general, led his men through Tennessee to attack Union garrison at Fort Pillow, along the Mississippi River. Many of the Union soldiers killed were African Americans and this had a very negative affect on Forrest. -
Start of the Wilderness Campaign
The Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia, the opening battle of the "Overland Campaign" or "Wilderness Campaign." Grant issued orders for the campaign, and Lee fought back by attacking in the dense woods outside of Fredricksburg. -
Lincoln Elected Again
Lincoln is elected by his party for a second term. Lincoln is excepted to be president for another four years. -
Battle of Atlanta
The Battle of Atlanta was Hood's second effort to throw back Union forces under Sherman brings him heavy casualties with no positive results. General James McPherson, commander of the Union Army of the Tennessee, is killed during the fighting. -
Battle at Weldon Railroad
The battles on the Weldon Railroad took place near Petersburg, Virginia. Union attempts to capture this important railroad into Petersburg were interrupted by Confederate counterattacks. Despite southern efforts, the Union remained in firm possession of the railroads. -
Lincoln Inaugurated
Lincoln wins the election again. He was inaugurated for his second term as president in Washington D.C., the Union capital. -
Battle of Five Forks
This battle took place in Virginia. This was a defeat for the Confederacy and it lead Lee's initiative to abandon the Petersburg-Richmond siege line -
Union Takes Control.
A few days before, the Confederacy experienced the fall of Petersburg and Richmond. Union troops take control of the cities in under to have troops in the south. -
Battle of Sailor's Creek
The Battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia. A portion of Lee's Army- almost one-third of it- is cornered along the banks of Sailor's Creek and annihilated. -
Battle and Surrender of Appomattox Court House
After an early morning attempt to break through Union forces blocking the route west to Danville, Virginia, Lee seeks an audience with General Grant to discuss terms. That afternoon in the parlor of Wilmer McLean, Lee signs the document of surrender. On April 12, the Army of Northern Virginia formally surrenders and is disbanded. -
Lincoln is Assassinated
Lincoln's assassination took place only about a month before the war would officially come to an end. This event put the nation in chaos and would leave the US in a time of war without a strong leader like Lincoln. Lincoln was killed in spite of difference in views between him and civilizians -
Surrender of Tennessee Confederate Army
Johnston reads and signs the documents to officially state the Confederate Army of Tennessee. This document also includes Johnston's troops near Durham, North Carolina. -
Davis Captured
The Confederate's President, Jefferson Davis, is captured near Irwinville, Georgia. -
Final Battle of the War
As the war began to come to a close, the last battle took place in Palmito Ranch, Texas. This would be the final victory of the Confederacy. -
Official End of the War
General Simon Bolivar Buckner enters into terms for surrender of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi, which are agreed to on June 2, 1865.The Civil War officially ends. -
Election of 1866
The off-year congressional election of 1866 was in fact a referendum election for President Andrew Johnson. By the summer of 1866, Johnson had lost support within the Republican Party for his Reconstruction policies. -
James- Younger Gang
This gang was established after the war. Its members were Confederate guerrillas and performed many bank robberies, the first was a broad daylight robbery in Liberty, Missouri -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Congress passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866. This is the first federal legislation to protect African Americans in the United States. -
Johnston Vetoes
Johnson is not in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. He vetoes the bill to stop it from going through. -
Override of Veto
Congress wants the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to go through. Congress overrides Johnson's decision to veto the bill. -
14th Amendment Approved
The 14th amendment is approved by Congress. This amendment gives civil rights to all free slaves. -
Tennessee Back in Union
Following the civil war, Tennessee is the first state to be re-inducted back into the Union. -
Grants Becomes 5 Star General
Congress creates the position of 5 Star General and the first appointed was Ulysses S. Grant. Following this, William T. Sherman assumed his position. -
Atlantic Cable
The Atlantic Cable gave access to communication to the Transatlantic. This was the first cable to do so. -
Ku Klux Klan Formed
The Ku Klux Klan, or the KKK, was formed in 1866 and spread to most southern states. This group would fight against the Republican Party's ideas and policies during the Reconstruction era. -
14th Amendment Ratified
This amendment needed to be approved by 3/4 states to be ratified. The last state to do so was Ohio. -
African Americans Vote in DC
African American men are given the right to vote in the District of Colombia. This is a great achievement in the United States -
Nebraska Becomes a State
Nebraska becomes the 37th state, located in the mid west. Many people begin moving here and there was a boom in population. -
First Reconstruction Act
This act split the Confederate states into 5 different military districts. Each districts responsibility was to protect the land and the property in it. All districts were under the control of a Northern General -
Reconstruction Ignored by Virginia
The Reconstruction time period consisted of 3 acts put into place to help America get back on its feet after the Civil War. Virginia rejected the act because it gave African Americans the right to vote. -
2nd Reconstruction Act
It established and clarified that the military commanders held responsibility to register voters and hold elections in their territories and made changes to the first. -
Lincoln Memorial Approved
Because of Lincoln's successful leadership in the Civil War, Congress approves for the memorial to be built. -
Territory of Alaska Purchased
The territory of Alaska is taken into the hands of the United States. The territory comes from the Russian Empire -
Reconstruction in the South
Reconstruction in the South begins. This starts with African American voting registration -
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Congress believed that Andrew Johnson should be impeached because of his insufficient working habits and how he did not believe that reconstruction was the right way to go.
