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Period: to
Civil War Timespan
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Attempted Peace Conference
A peace conference occurs as President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at Hampton Roads in Virginia, but the meeting ends in failure - the war will continue -
Cooper Institute
After being photographed by Matthew Brady, Abraham Lincoln speaks at the Cooper Institute in New York City. -
Pony Express
The Pony Express was the most heavily relied upon mail service. It was the fastest way of communication before the telegraph. -
Theodore Parker Dies
Theodore Parker, reformer and abolitionist, passed away. He spoke openly against slavery and his words were later adapted by Abraham Lincoln. -
National Democratic Convention
Southern delegates hold a National Democratic convention in Richmond. Party leaders urge a "wait and see" approach. -
Stone's Prairie Riot
A Republican Party organization, known as the Wide Wakes, rioted in Illinois with Stephen A. Douglas supporters. -
1860 Presidential Election
Lincoln won the election with 180 electoral votes. Breckenridge came in second with 72, then Bell with 39, and Douglass with 12. -
James Chestnut Resigns
James Chesnut becomes the first Southerner to resign from the Senate. He is quickly followed by James H. Hammond -
Secession Convention
Delegates met in Columbia, South Carolina in order to discuss the Southerners idea of secession. -
Crittenden Compromise
A compromise in hopes to resolve the succession crisis. It included four Congressional resolutions and six proposed amendments. It was rejected by the north as it benefited the south more. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina secedes from the states on December 20th, 1860. This was the first state to secede. -
Mississippi Secedes
The second state to secede from the union was Mississippi on January 9th, 1861. -
Florida Secedes
Florida becomes the third state to secede from the Union. -
Alabama Secedes
Alabama seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861. -
Georgia Secedes
Georgia becomes the fifth state to secede from the Union. Georgia seceded on January 19th, 1861. -
Louisiana Secedes
Louisiana seceded from the Union on January 26th, 1861. -
Texas Secedes
Texas seceded from the Union on February 1st, 1861. -
C.S.A. Formed
The Confederate States of America were formed with Jefferson David as the first- and last- president. These states all defied Lincolns presidency in order to try and hold onto their power in government. -
Virginia Secedes
Virginia seceded from the Union 8th from all the other states. -
Arkansas Secedes
Arkansas becomes the 9th state to secede from the Union. -
North Carolina Secedes
North Carolina declared its secession on May 20th, 1861. -
Tennessee Secedes
Tennessee is the 11th and last state to secede from the Union. Their secession was declared on June 8th, 1861. -
War Order
President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1 calling for all United States naval and land forces to begin a general advance -
Unconditional Surrender Grant
Victory for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in Tennessee, capturing Fort Henry, and ten days later Fort Donelson. Grant earns the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. -
Willie Dies
President Lincoln's eleven-year-old son dies from fever caused by polluted drinking water in the White House. -
Merrimac Sinks Ships
The Confederate Ironclad 'Merrimac' sinks two wooden Union ships then battles the Union Ironclad 'Monitor' to a draw. Naval warfare is now changed forever, making wooden ships a waste of time. -
Shiloh
Confederate surprise attack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared troops at Shiloh on the Tennessee River results in a struggle with 13,000 Union killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates, more men than in all previous American wars combined. -
David Farragut New Orleans
17 Union ships under the command of David Farragut move up the Mississippi River to take New Orleans, the South's greatest seaport. -
Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army attacks McClellan's troops in front of Richmond and nearly defeats them. But Johnston is badly wounded. -
Robert E. Lee
Gen. Robert E. Lee assumes command, replacing the wounded Johnston. McClellan is not impressed as he thinks he does not have the best way of war and can be rather timid. -
Seven Day's War
McClellan moved onto Richmond and landed on the peninsula between the York and James Rivers. Lee moved against McClellan resulting in a series of battles spanning the length of seven days.Even though Lee had less men, he was still able to intimidate McClellan into retreating. -
Gen. Henry W. Halleck
After four months as his own general-in-chief, President Lincoln hands over the task to Gen. Henry W. Halleck. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and emphasizes the enlisting of black soldiers in the Union Army. The war to preserve the Union now becomes a revolutionary struggle for the abolition of slavery. -
Gen. Joseph Hooker
The president appoints Gen. Joseph Hooker as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Burnside. -
Gen. Grant in Command
Gen. Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West, with orders to capture Vicksburg. -
Draft Enacted
The U.S. Congress enacts a draft, affecting male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exempts those who pay $300 or provide a substitute -
Bye Bye Stonewall
The South suffers a huge blow as Stonewall Jackson dies from his wounds. -
Second Invasion
Gen. Lee with 75,000 Confederates launches his second invasion of the North, heading into Pennsylvania in a campaign that will soon lead to Gettysburg. -
Gen. George Meade
President Lincoln appoints Gen. George G. Meade as commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Hooker. Meade is the 5th man to command the Army in less than a year. -
Gettysburg
The tide of war turns against the South as the Confederates are defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. -
Anti Draft Riots
Anti-draft riots in New York City include arson and the murder of blacks by poor immigrant whites. At least 120 persons, including children, are killed and $2 million in damage caused, until Union soldiers returning from Gettysburg restore order. -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers a two minute Gettysburg Address at a ceremony dedicating the Battlefield as a National Cemetery. -
Gen. Grant and Sherman
President Lincoln appoints Gen. Grant to command all of the armies of the United States. Gen. William T. Sherman succeeds Grant as commander in the west. -
Cold Harbour
A costly mistake by Grant results in 7,000 Union casualties in twenty minutes during an offensive against fortified Rebels at Cold Harbor in Virginia. -
Nine Months of Siege
Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off the Confederate rail lines. As a result, a nine month siege of Petersburg begins with Grant's forces surrounding Lee. -
Johnston Replaced
At Atlanta, Sherman's forces battle the Rebels now under the command of Gen. John B. Hood, who replaced Johnston. -
McClellan Nominated
Democrats nominate George B. McClellan for president to run against Republican incumbent Abraham Lincoln. -
Shenandoah Valley Victory
A decisive Union victory by Cavalry Gen. Philip H. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley over Jubal Early's troops. -
Lincoln's Re-Election
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. -
March to Sea
After destroying Atlanta's warehouses and railroad facilities, Sherman, with 62,000 men begins a March to the Sea. -
Hood's Rebel Army Crushed
Hood's Rebel Army of 23,000 is crushed at Nashville by 55,000 Federals including Negro troops under Gen. George H. Thomas. The Confederate Army of Tennessee ceases as an effective fighting force. -
Sherman Reaches Savannah
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. -
Thirteenth Amendment Created
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery. The amendment is then submitted to the states for ratification. -
Slaves Serve the Army
Jefferson Davis signs law authorizing black men and slaves to serve in Confederate Army. -
Union Raids The South
Grant's forces begin a general advance and break through Lee's lines at Petersburg. Fires and looting break out. The next day, Union troops enter and raise the Stars and Stripes. -
Lincoln Assasinated
John Wilkes Booth shoots President Lincoln in the head. Doctors attend to the president in the theater then move him to a house across the street. -
Bye Bye Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 in the morning. Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency. -
Johnston Surrenders
Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrenders to Sherman near Durham in North Carolina. -
Bye Bye John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia. -
Civil War Ends
Remaining Confederate forces surrender. The Nation is reunited as the Civil War ends. Over 620,000 Americans died in the war, with disease killing twice as many as those lost in battle. 50,000 survivors return home as amputees. -
General Smith Surrenders
Surrender of Confederate General E.K. Smith's Trans-Mississippi forces, New Orleans, Louisiana -
Slavery Abolished!
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, is finally ratified. Slavery is abolished. -
Lincoln's Birthday Observation
The first formal observation of President Lincoln's birthday is held in Washington, D. C. President Andrew Johnson attends -
Army Medical Museum
Congress appropriates $100,000 to buy Ford's Theater. It will house the Army Medical Museum, the Office of the Surgeon General and War Department records until 1893 -
State of Peace
The United States declares that a state of peace exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia -
Cholera Epidemic
Cholera epidemic begins in New York when an infected passenger arrives in New York. -
Memphis Race Riot
White civilians and police kill 46 African Americans and destroy 90 houses, schools, and churches in Memphis, Tennessee. -
Congress Approves the 14th
Thirty-ninth Congress approves the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. This defined citizenship as those born into the US and that those should not be denied of equal rights and law. -
General of the Armies
Congress establishes "general of the armies" and Ulysses S. Grant is immediately promoted to 4-star general and put in this position. William Tecumseh Sherman assumes the rank of Lt. General. -
New Orleans Race Riot
Police kill more than 40 black and white Republicans and wound more than 150. -
Ku Klux Klan
A secret organization to intimidate African Americans and restore white rule is founded in Pulaski, Tennessee. -
Bye Bye Ships
A fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard accidently destroys a number of ships used during the Civil War -
Blacks Can Vote
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto -
Reconstruction Acts
Congress divides the former Confederacy into five military districts and requires elections in which African American men can vote. -
Tenure of Office Act
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act, denying the right of the President to remove officials who had been appointed with the consent of Congress. -
Black Votes Rejected
Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousand of votes cast by Negroes, who were granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
Command of the 5th District
General Philip Sheridan assumes command of the 5th Military district encompassing Louisiana and Texas. He designates New Orleans as his headquarters. -
Hello Alaska
William P. Seward signs a treaty with Russia buying Alaska for 2 cents an acre. Democrats called it "Seward's Folly" -
2nd Reconstruction Act
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act over Andrew Johnson's veto -
Admission to the Union
Congress passes a bill admitting Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, having refused to ratify the fourteenth amendment, were refused admission into the Union -
Stanton Resignation
President Andrew Johnson demands the resignation of Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War. -
Secretary of War
Ulysses S. Grant becomes ad interim Secretary of War after Edwin Stanton is demanded to resign.
