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United States Civil War
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Abraham Lincoln is elected 16th President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln defeats Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge and John Bell in the 1860 Presidential Election. Lincoln won with 180 electoral votes; 39.7% of the vote. -
Senator James Chestnut Jr. Resigns
South Carolina's Senator James Chestnut Jr. becomes the first southerner to resign from the Senate. -
Anderson Ordered to Command Fort Moultrie
Major Robert Anderson of the First US Artillery was ordered to take command of Fort Moultrie and the defenses in the Charleston Harbor. This included Fort Sumter. -
Buchanan states Secession is Unconstitutional
Outgoing President James Buchanan states that the states have no right to secede and it is unconstitutional. -
Secretary of State Lewis Cass Resigns
Lewis Cass resigns from his position of secretary of state after President Buchanan refused to reinforce federal troops in Charleston. He disliked Buchanan's lack of action. -
South Carolina Secessionist Convention begins
The South Carolina Secessionist Convention begins on this day. The convention decides unanimously to secede from the Union. -
Crittenden Compromise Proposed
The Crittenden Compromise was proposed by John J. Crittenden as a final and unsuccessful attempt to resolve the secession crisis. It addressed the grievances of slavery that led many slave-holding states to contemplate seceding. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina officially decides to secede from the Union. South Carolina becomes the first slave state in the south to declare that it had seceded from the United States. -
Anderson Transfers to Fort Sumter
Major Robert Anderson evacuates Fort Moultrie and transfers to Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. He felt that he could not hold Fort Moultrie against Southern militia -
Charleston Arsenal Seized
South Carolina troops seize the Charleston Arsenal. -
Provisional Constitution of the Confederate States of America Formed
Secessionists draft a Provisional Constitution for the Confederate States of America. The Confederate States of Americas has formed but is not recognized by the US government or any foreign government. -
Jefferson Davis Elected President of the CSA
Secessionist chose Jefferson Davis as Provisional President of the Confederate States of America and Alexander Stephens as Provisional Vice President. Although surprised of his election, Davis accepts the position. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Early on the morning of April 12, Confederate troops open fire on Fort Sumter. The Confederates bombard the fort until mid day of April 13. With supplies and ammunition nearly exhausted, Major Anderson surrenders the fort, giving the victory to the Confederates. -
Lincoln Declares Southern Blockade
As the first part of the Anaconda Plan, Lincoln orders a blockade on southern ports. The plan was to stop southern imports and exports. -
Lincoln Calls for Men
President Lincoln calls for 42,000 volunteers to join the Union Army for a 3 year term. He also calls for 18,000 men to volunteer for the Federal Navy for three years. -
Richmond Becomes Confederate Capital
Confederacy moves their capital to Richmond, VA which is the second largest city in the South. The move served to solidify the state of Virginia's secession. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
The first major battle of the war. Union forces move towards Richmond but are disorganized and unable to advance through Confederate troops. Union troops retreat and Confederates win. -
Revenue Act of 1861
Becoming the first federal income tax in US history, Lincoln and Congress impose a 3% tax on annual incomes of more the $800. This is an effort to help raise money to finance the Civil War. -
John C. Frémont Frees the Slaves of Missouri
Without precedent, Frémont declares martial law and issues an edict freeing the slaves of all Confederate sympathizers in Missouri. Frémont's goal was to reduce Confederate sympathies in the stronger slave- holding counties. -
McClellan Replaces Scott
George McClellan is chosen by President Lincoln to replace Winfield Scott as general in chief of the Union Army. -
Battle of Fort Henry
The first significant Union victory of the war. In an effort to gain control of rivers and supply lines west of the Appalachians, the Union launched an attack on Fort Henry .Confederates secretly evacuated to nearby Fort Donelson before surrendering to Union forces. -
Battle of Fort Donelson
Union ironclad gunboats attack Fort Donelson on February 11. On February 13, Brigadier General John McClernand, initiated the battle when he tried unsuccessfully to capture a rebel battery along the outskirts of the fort. Grant would only accept an “unconditional surrender”, earning him his nickname. On February 15, Confederates initiate a counter-attack at Fort Donelson. On February 16, Fort Donelson surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant. -
Jefferson Davis is Inaugurated
Jefferson Davis inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America. He had been serving as the Confederacy's provisional president since February 1862 -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederates launched a surprise attack on Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant in southwestern Tennessee. The Confederates were unable to hold their positions and were forced back, resulting in a Union victory. -
Slavery Abolished in the District of Columbia
President Lincoln signed an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. This was an important step in the long road toward full emancipation and equal rights for African Americans. -
Lincoln signs the Homestead Act
Lincoln signs the Homestead Act which encouraged Western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filing fee and were required to complete five years of continuous residence before receiving ownership of the land. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
Fought on the same terrain as the first, The Second Battle of Bull Run was a huge victory for Robert E. Lee and the Confederates and a crushing defeat of John Pope and the Union. Lee's decides to strike before George McClellan's Army could provide support to Pope's Army, resulting in a decisive Confederate victory. -
Battle of Antietam
Confederate troops under the command of Lee and Union troops under the command of McClellan encounter near Antietam Creek in Maryland. This battle becomes the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. -
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues his Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation which stated that some slaves in areas still in rebellion would receive their freedom on Jan. 1, 1863. It was limited in its immediate effect, as it applied only to the 10 states that were still in rebellion. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg resulted in a morale boosting victory for the Confederate after their horrific loss in the Battle of Antietam. The Battle of Fredericksburg was a crushing Union defeat and one of the largest and deadliest of the war. It was also the largest concentration of troops in any Civil War battle. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect and grants freedom to the slaves in the Confederate States if the states did not return to the Union by January 1, 1863. This did not grant slaves in the states in the Union freedom because Lincoln did not want to aggravate the slave states assisting them in the war. -
Enrollment Act
President Lincoln signs the first national military draft in American history. The act called for registration of all males between the ages of 20 and 45 and immigrants filing for citizenship. This act led to bloody riots in New York City, where protesters were outraged that exemptions (paying $300) were effectively granted only to the wealthiest U.S. citizens -
Battle of Chancelorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville resulted in a Confederate victory when Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's Army attempted flanking movement was stopped by Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army, despite having a much smaller army than the Union did. This battle is widely considered to be Lee’s greatest victory during the American Civil War. -
Death of Stonewall Jackson
General Stonewall Jackson dies a week after being accidentally shot by his own men during the Battle of Chancellorsville. His death was a huge setback for the Confederacy and had a negative effect on the army’s morale. -
West Virginia's Statehood
West Virginia joins the Union as the 35th state. West Virginia joins as a free state. -
Draft Riots in New York City
The government’s attempt to enforce the Emancipation Act, which called for a draft of men to war, ignited draft riots in New York City. This was the most destructive civil disturbance in the city’s history. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was considered the most important battle of the Civil War. Robert E. Lee was trying to further invade the North after the Battle of Chancellorsville but the Union Army off his troops and he retreated.This was a major turning point in the war. -
Lincoln Calls For More Volunteers
Lincoln calls for 300,000 additional volunteers to join the Union army. Even after the Enrollment Act, Lincoln anticipates that he will need more men. -
Gettysburg Address
At a ceremony to honor the fallen men of the Union, Lincoln delivers his speech which is later known as the Gettysburg Address. In his speech, he talked about human equality and the sacrifices of the war. -
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
Lincoln’s plan for unification of the country. If Southerners pledged their allegiance to the country, they would not be arrested after the war was over. -
Fort Pillow Massacre
Confederate troops under the command of General Nathan Bedford Forrest shot and killed over 300 African American soldiers. This was one of the most controversial events of the American Civil War. -
"In God We Trust"
Congress passed an act changing the composition of the one-cent coin and authorizing the minting of the two-cent coin. Religion being big in Civil War time, Americans wanted to state what their country stood for and stamped “In God We Trust” onto the coin for the first time. -
Battle of the Wilderness
With an inconclusive outcome, this battle set the stage for the Battle of Spotsylvania. Grant refused to retreat his army and attempted to outflank Lee’s army. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Begins
On route to take over the Confederate capital at Richmond, Union troops led by Grant are met by Lee’s Confederate troops at the Spotsylvania Court House. Battle begins and fighting continued for 20 hours on the days May 12 and 13 and where this intense fighting occurred became known as the “Bloody Angle”. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Ends
After nearly two weeks of fighting and many casualties from both sides, Grant orders his troops to disengage and continue south towards the capital. The result of the battle is inconclusive for both sides, as the Union continued their offensive. -
Battle of Pickett's Mill
Union troops attempt an attack on right flank of Confederate troops. The Confederate victory resulted in a one-week delay of the Federal advance on Atlanta. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
Grant ordered a frontal assault on Lee’s Confederate troops near Richmond.This battle was a win for the Confederates and Lee’s last major victory of the war. The battle was a bloodbath for the Union army. -
Lincoln is Re-Elected
Lincoln wins the election with over 400,000 popular votes. He was the first president to be reelected since Andrew Jackson. None of the 11 Confederate States of America participated in the election. -
Storming of Fort McAllister
Union forces in overwhelming need of supplies overwhelmed a small Confederate force defending Fort McAllister which was a major Federal objective. The battle ended with a Union victory. -
Battle of Nashville
Union troops swarm Confederate trenches and nearly destroyed the Confederate Army. This battle ended the Army of Tennessee. -
U.S. House passes 13th Amendment abolishing slavery
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. It was passed by the House on this day. -
Evacuation of Columbia, South Carolina
Union forces capture the city of Columbia. Most of the town was burnt to ashes, forcing troops to evacuate. -
Battle of Natural Bridge
Confederate troops prevent Union forces from crossing the Natural Bridge, also preventing the Union from capturing Florida capital Tallahassee. This battle has been described as the last Confederate victory in the Civil War. -
Battle of Fort Stedman
In need of supplies, Lee led his troops to attack Union defenses for his supplies. Confederate troops were brought under a killing crossfire and counterattack. -
Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House
General Lee surrenders his Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. This effectively ended the American Civil War -
Abraham Lincoln is Shot
5 days after Lee’s surrender, John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, fatally shoots Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. -
Abraham Lincoln Dies
Abraham Lincoln dies from being shot at Ford’s Theatre. Andrew Johnson is sworn in as President of the United States. -
John Wilkes Booth is Captured & Killed
Union soldiers track down John Wilkes Booth to the Garrett Barn in Port Royal, Virginia and kill him. -
Palmito Ranch, Texas
Ending with a Confederate victory, the engagement took place even though the war had already ended. This was the last engagement of the Civil War -
The 13th Amendment Becomes A Part of the Constitution
The 13th Amendment is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution. This officially abolishes slavery throughout the states. -
Fisk University
Fisk University was one of the first institutions in the U.S. to offer education to former slaves in the South after the war. Fisk opened in Nashville, Tennessee just nine months after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. -
US Declares Peace
President Andrew Johnson delacres a state of peace and tranquility with the Confederate States of America. -
Civil Rights Act
Congress overrides President Johnson's veto and passes the Civil Rights Act. This law granted citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. "without distinction of race or color, or previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude." -
Memphis Race Riots
Ignited by racial and social tension following the war, violence broke out between African Americans and white Southerners. Many blacks were murdered and even more injured. -
Winfield Scott Dies
Union General Winfield Scott dies in West Point, New York. Scott is credited with the "Anaconda Plan" during the war. -
14th Amendment Passed by Congress
The 14th Amendment forbade the states from restricting basic human rights of any citizen of the US. It was later ratified in 1868. -
Tennessee is Readmitted
Tennessee is the first state to be readmitted to the Union. It was also the last state to secede. -
Grant Promoted to General of the Army
Congress created an entirely new rank for Grant in honor of his leadership and being recognized as a hero. He is named the four-star General of the Army of the United States. -
New Orleans Riot
Another violent attack on African Americans following the end of the war. White southerners attacked blacks who were parading outside where the Louisiana Constitutional Convention was being held. -
War Declared Over
President Andrew Johnson formally declares the end to the Civil War. -
African American Men Granted Right to Vote in DC
Congress passes the first law in American history that granted African-American men the right to vote. All men in Washington DC are now allowed to vote. -
Nebraska Becomes a State
Nebraska is admitted as the 37th state of the United States. -
First Reconstruction Act
Also known as the Military Reconstruction Acts, these divided the south into five military districts and under five commanding generals. -
Tenure of Office Act
This act prohibited the president from removing officials appointed by and with the advice of the Senate without the Senate's approval. -
Second Reconstruction Act
The Second Reconstruction Act established and clarified that the military commanders held the responsibility to register voters and hold elections in their territories. It required that every voter recite the registration oath promising their support to the constitution and their obedience to the law. -
Seward's Folly
Secretary of State William H. Seward purchases Alaska from Russia for 2 cents an acre. Congress and the press mocked Seward for his purchase calling it "Seward's Folly". -
Ride-Ins on Streetcars
Black demonstrators staged ride-ins on Richmond, VA streetcars. Troops were mobilized to restore order. -
Third Reconstruction Act
The third Reconstruction Act gave supreme power to the five Union generals overseeing Reconstruction in the five districts of the South and allowed them to remove anyone from office who they felt tried to stop reconstruction rather than aide it. -
Johnson Suspends Stanton
Johnson suspends Stanton as Secretary of War due to difference in views on reconstruction. He appoints General Grant as acting secretary. -
Congress Looks to Impeach Johnson
Congress begins looking to impeach Andrew Johnson because of his unwillingness to follow through with plans for reconstruction of the states.
