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Civil War Timeline
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Jefferson Davis Favors Secession
Jefferson Davis comes out in favor of secession for the first time. -
Pony Express Begins
The first riding teams of the Pony Express simultaneously leave St. Joseph, Missouri. This will make communication and the delivery of letters much quicker. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
Abraham Lincoln, with 180 electoral votes and 1,865,593 popular
votes, is elected President of the United States. -
South Carolina Calls for Convention
South Carolina plans the date for a convention on December 17 where they would decide if they shall secede or not. -
President Buchanan Responds
President James Buchanan sends a distressed State of the Union message to Congress where he states that, although secession is unconstitutional, yet the government lacks federal authority to prevent it. -
Georgia Calls for Convention
Georgia calls for a convention for the southern states to form an independent nation. -
First Secession Convention
The first secession convention is held in Columbia, South Carolina. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
Following three days after the convention, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. -
Buchanan calls for Secretary of War's Resignation
President Buchanan receives a tip that Secretary of War John Floyd of upcoming issues, and he calls for his resignation. -
Secretary of War Resigns
As requested by President Buchanan, Secretary of War John Floyd resigns. Charges come out later that day that he misdirected funds and weapons to the south. -
Mississippi Secedes from the Union
Mississippi becomes the second state, following South Carolina, to secede from the Union. -
Alabama Secedes from the Union
Alabama becomes the 4th state to secede from the Union -
Georgia Secedes from the Union
Georgia becomes the 5th state to secede from the Union -
Louisiana Secedes from the Union
Louisiana becomes the 6th state to secede from the Union -
The Confederate States of America are Created
The southern states that secede from the union create a new government at Montgomery, Alabama, forming the Confederate States of America. -
Jefferson Davis is Appointed President of the Confederate States
Following the creation of the Confederate States of America, Davis is appointed president until the elections in 1862. -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes President
Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th president of the United States -
Fort Sumter Attacked
At 4:30 am the Confederates, under Gen. Beauregard, open fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC. This begins the Civil War. -
Virginia Secedes from the Union
Virginia becomes the 8th state to secede from the Union -
First Battle of Bull Run
The Union Army under General Irvin McDowell suffers the first loss of the war; Confederate General Thomas Jackson earns the nickname "Stonewall". -
Surrender of Fort Henry
Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Henry, giving the Union control of the Tennessee River. -
Surrender of Fort Donelson
The Union captures Fort Donelson and takes control of the Cumberland River, giving Ulysses S Grant the nickname "Unconditional Surrender." -
Battle of Pea Ridge
The Union wins the two day battle, and they loosen the South's hold on Missouri and a portion of the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Shiloh
Southern General Albert Sidney Johnston is killed in battle, and the Union secures a victory, securing the position of general to Ulysses S Grant. -
The Battle of Seven Pines
Southern General Joseph Johnston is wounded in battle and is replaced by Robert E Lee, who renames his command the "Army of Northern Virginia." The result of the war is inconclusive. -
Seven Days Battle
Lee's army attacks the "Army of the Potomac" under the command of George McClellan near Richmond, resulting in a victory for the south. -
Battle of Second Bull Run
The Battle of Second Bull Run is fought on the same ground where the Union previously suffered their first defeat and, likewise, the Confederates claim a victory once again. -
Battle of Antietam
This battle, the single bloodiest day of the Civil War, ends General Lee's first attempt at invading the north. -
Introduction of the Emancipation Proclamation
Following the Union victory at Antietam, President Lincoln introduced the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves in the south. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Union attempts to cross the river and sack the city of Fredericksburg, VA, where they are defeated by the Confederates. -
Emancipation Proclamation Goes Into Effect
President Lincoln puts the Emancipation Proclamation into effect. While it is applauded by many abolitionists, there is widespread doubt that it will not totally abolish slavery. -
The Enrollment Act
Whereas the south began a year prior, the north begins to draft soldiers into the army. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
General Lee's greatest victory is marred by the wounding of Stonewall Jackson, who dies just days later. -
Battle of Brandy Station
The Union Army crosses the Rapidan River to attack General J.E.B Stuart's cavalry and discover that Lee's men are moving west toward the Shenandoah Valley. This was the largest cavalry battle of the war, and it marks the beginning of the Gettysburg Campaign. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Also known as the bloodiest battle of the war, the south's defeat dashes Lee's hope for an invasion of the north. This is seen as the turning point of the war. -
The Capture of Vicksburg
Vicksburg surrenders to the Union Army, giving them complete control over the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Union army under General Rosecrans is defeated by the Confederates under General Bragg. The Union retreats to Chattanooga. -
President Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers a short speech that commemorates the battle and dedicates the Soldiers' National Ceremony at Gettysburg. -
Battle for Chattanooga
Union forces break the southern siege of the city through notable events such as the storming of Lookout Mountain and Battle of Missionary Ridge. As a result of the southern defeat, General Bragg resigns. -
Knoxville Campaign
The Confederates under General Longstreet lay siege to the city of Knoxville. They attack days later but are repulsed by heavy losses and retreat. -
Escape from Libby Prison
After weeks of digging, 109 Union officers made their escape from the prison. 48 escapees were later captured and 2 drowned, but 59 made it back to Union lines. -
Camp Sumter Prison Camp Opens
Referred to as the Andersonville Prison Camp, the prison became notorious for overcrowded, poor conditions and a high death rate. -
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
The Union Army smashed head-on into General Johnston's carefully planned defenses. Johnston remains on the line until July 2 when the Confederates retreat at the threat of being flanked by Sherman's mobile force. -
Battle of Monocacy
In an attempt to draw Union troops away from the oncoming siege of Petersburg and Richmond, a Confederate force under Jubal Early moved north into Maryland. Although the North lost, this battle was considered to have saved Washington. -
Battle of Tupelo
The Union victory over the Confederates ensured the safety of Sherman's supply line during the Atlanta Campaign. -
John Bell Hood Replaces General Johnston
General John Bell Hood replaces General Johnston as Commander of the Army of Tennessee.This changes signals a new Confederate strategy to thwart Sherman's campaign. -
Battle of the Crater
After a month of tunneling by soldiers of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, a mine exploded under a Confederate fort in the Petersburg siege lines. Confederate counterattacks drove out the Union troops, and siege lines remained unchanged. -
Battle of Fort Harrison
In an early morning surprise attack, the Confederates attack the Union army at their camps along the banks of Cedar Creek. After hearing about the fight, General Sheridan rides southward to rally dispirited troops to return to battle. Although the Confederates tried to disrupt the Union advance, they were defeated. -
Battle of Franklin
After a month of raiding Sherman's supply lines and attacking Union outposts, the Confederates, under the order of General Schofield, confront the Union troops. The Confederates take heavy losses, which includes six generals. -
Battle of Nashville
The Confederates under John Bell Hood are defeated; ending the threat to Tennessee. -
Capture of Fort Fisher
Union occupation of the fort closes access to Wilmington, the last southern seaport on the east coast open to blockade runners. -
Abraham Lincoln is Reinaugurated
President Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated for his second term. -
Battle of Fort Stedman
The Confederate Army under General John B Gordon briefly captures the Union fort in order to thwart their plans for a late March assault. The Union ends up reclaiming the fort. -
Battle of Five Forks
The Confederate are defeated at Five Forks. This sparks General Lee's decision to abandon the Petersburg-Richmond siege. -
Falls of Petersburg and Richmond
General Lee abandons both cities and moves his army west in hopes of meeting General Johnston's army in North Carolina. -
Battle of Sailor's Creek
A large portion of Lee's army is cornered at the banks of Sailor's Creek and is annihilated. -
Battle of Appomattox Court House and Surrender
After an early morning attempt to break through the Union forces blocking the route west to Danville, VA, Lee signs the document of surrender that afternoon with General Grant. -
President Lincoln is Assassinated
Abraham is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington DC. -
Jefferson Davis is Captured
President of the Confederate States Jefferson Davis is captured near Irwinville, Georgia. -
Final Battle of the War
The final battle of the Civil War takes place at Palmito Ranch, Texas. It is a Confederate victory. -
First Observation of Lincoln's Birthday
The first formal observation of President Lincoln's birthday is held in Washington DC. President Johnson is in attendance. -
New Freedman's Bureau Bill Passed and Vetoed
The New Freedman's Bureau bill is passed by Congress. This authorized military trial for those accused of depriving African Americans of civil rights. This is vetoed by President Johnson on that same day. -
Texas Repeals Secession Acts
Texas repeals the actions of the Secession Convention -
Johnson Vetoes the Civil Rights Act
President Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. -
US Declares a State of Peace
President Andrew Johnson declares a state of peace with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. -
Congress Overrides President Johnson
Congress overrides President Johnson's veto on the Civil Rights Act. -
Congress Overrides Johnson's Veto
Congress overrides President Johnson's veto on the Freedman's Bureau bill. -
Congress Establishes "General of the Armies"
Congress establishes the position of "General of the Armies." They immediately promote Ulysses S Grant to 4-star general and grant him this position. -
US Begins Investigation on KKK
The United States Secret Service begins an investigation on the Ku Klux Klan. -
South Carolina Rejects 14th Amendment
On the 6th anniversary of secession, South Carolina rejects the 14th Amendment. -
African Americans in Washington DC Gain Suffrage
African Americans in Washington DC gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Johnson's veto. -
Nebraska Becomes a State
Nebraska becomes the 37th state of the United States. -
Congress Passes the Tenure of Office Act
This denied the president the right to remove officials appointed by Congress. -
Thousands of Black Votes are Rejected
Thousands of votes from African Americans in Alexandria, VA, are rejected despite being granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
Sheridan Assumes Command of 5th Military District
General Philip Sheridan assumes command of the 5th military district, encompassing Louisiana and Texas. He designates New Orleans as his headquarters. -
Congress Passes 2nd Reconstruction Act
Congress passes the Second Reconstruction Act over President Johnson's veto. -
The US Purchases Alaska
William P Seward signs a treaty with Russia, buying Alaska for 2 cents per acre. This was also known as Seward's Folly. -
Senate Ratifies Treaty
Senate ratifies William P Seward's treaty for purchasing Alaska. -
US Admits Southern States Into Union
Congress passes a bill admitting Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the union. -
Russia Gives Alaska to the US
In accordance with Seward's Folly, Russia turns Alaska over to the US.
