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Civil War Timeline
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Ideas of Secession
Jefferson Davis comes out in favor of secession for the first time. -
Democratic National Convention Meets in Charleston
The Democratic National Convention, meeting in Charleston, South Carolina, cannot agree on a nominee. The only thing they can agree on is to continue the debate in Baltimore the next month. -
Constitution Union Party meets in Baltimore
The Constitution Union Party, meeting in Baltimore, creates a platform taken heavily from the U. S. Constitution and selects John Bell of Tennessee for President and Edward Everett of Massachusetts for Vice-President. -
Convention in Richmond
Southern Democrats hold a convention in Richmond where they select John C. Breckinridge as their nominee for President. -
Lieutenant Colonel William Hardee
Lieutenant Colonel William Hardee is replaced by Major John F. Reynolds as commander of cadets at West Point -
South Carolina May Secede
Governor William Henry Gist notifies other Deep South states that South Carolina is considering secession as an option. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected as President
Abraham Lincoln is elected sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln is the first president to represent a party that opposes the spread of slavery the United States. -
South Carolina Debates Secession
South Carolina calls for a convention on December 17 to decide if the state should secede from the Union. -
The First Secession Convention
The first Secession Convention meets in Columbia, South Carolina. -
South Carolina secedes from the Union.
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union. -
Confederate States of America Are Formed
The southern states that seceded create a government at Montgomery, Alabama, and the Confederate States of America are formed. -
Jefferson Davis is Appointed President
Jefferson Davis is appointed the first President of the Confederate States of America at Montgomery, Alabama, a position he will hold until elections can be arranged. -
Fort Sumter
Southern forces fire upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina. This is the formal beginning of the Civil War -
Proclamation of Blockade against Southern Ports
President Lincoln issues proclamation, preventing rural Southern states from the ability to be well supplied during the war. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Union army is defeated at Bull Run, the first official battle of the Civil War -
Battle of Wilson's Creek
The Union Army attack Confederate troops and state militia southwest of Springfield, Missouri, and are thrown back. The Confederate victory shows the strong southern presence west of the Mississippi River. -
Fort Hatteras
Fort Hatteras at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, falls to Union naval forces. This begins the first Union efforts to close southern ports along the Carolina coast. -
Battle of Lexington
Lexington, Missouri falls to Confederate forces under Sterling Price. -
Battle of Ball's Bluff
One of the early battles of the American Civil War, fought in Loudoun County, Virginia, and ended in a Confederate victory. -
Lincoln's International Diplomatic Crisis
Two Confederate officials sailing to England are captured; however, England demands their release and threatening war. Lincoln eventually gives in come December. -
"Unconditional Surrender" Grant
Gen. Ulysses S. grant is victorious in capturing Forty Henry, in Tennessee, and ten days later Fort Donelson. He earns the name, "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. -
Merrimac's Victory
Confederate's ironclad ship, "Merrimac", sinks two Union ships, changing naval warfare forever. Wooden ships become outdated. -
The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was the first major battle in Tennessee. The Union victory further secures the career of Union General Ulysses S. Grant. -
Battle of Winchester, Virginia
General "Stonewall" Jackson attacks Union forces at Winchester and successfully drives them from the city. It is a Confederate victory. -
Battle of Seven Pines
General Joseph Johnston, commander of the Confederate army in Virginia is wounded and replaced by Robert E. Lee who renames his command the "Army of Northern Virginia". -
The Seven Days' Battles before Richmond
General Lee's army attacks the "Army of the Potomac" under General George McClellan in a succession of battles beginning at Mechanicsville on June 26 and ending at Malvern Hill on July 1. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
This battle was fought on the same ground where one year before, where the Union army was defeated. Similarly, the result of this battle is a Union defeat. -
Battle of Antietam
General E. Lee and army are stopped at Antietam, Maryland by McClellan and numerically superior Union Forces. Lee withdraws to Virginia at nightfall after 26,000 men are left dead or wounded. -
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln creates a preliminary proclamation of emancipation creating possibility of freeing slaves. -
The Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia
The Army of the Potomac, under General Ambrose Burnside, is soundly defeated by Lee's forces after a risky river crossing and sacking of the city. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issues final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in terrotories held by Confederates and encourage the enlistment of African-American soldiers. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Gen. Hooker, replacement for Burnside, is defeated by Lee's much smaller forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. Hooker retreats, with both sides suffering great losses. -
Death of Stonewall Jackson
After being mortally wounded in the Battle of Chancellorsville, General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson died on May 10, 1863 -
Second Invasion in North
Gen. E. Lee launches his second invasion in North, (75000 Confederates) which will lead to Gettsyburg. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The bloodiest battle of the Civil War dashes Robert E. Lee's hopes for a successful invasion of the North. This battle is well known as the turning point of the Civil War -
Vicksburg, Mississippi
The Confederates surrender to the Union Army under Grant. The capture of Vicksburg gives the Union complete control of the Mississippi River, a vital supply line for the Confederate states in the west. At Gettysburg, Lee begins his retreat to Virginia. -
The Battle of Chickamauga
The Union Army of the Cumberland under General William Rosecrans is defeated and nearly routed by the Confederate Army of Tennessee commanded by General Braxton Bragg. Rosecrans' army retreats to the supply base at Chattanooga, Tennessee. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln makes a two minute speech at a ceremony dedicating the Battlefield. The speech is not appreciated at the time but it later becomes one of the most popular speeches in all American History. -
The Battle for Chattanooga
Union forces break the Confederate siege of the city in successive attacks. The Union victory sends the Confederate Army south into Georgia where General Bragg reorganizes his forces before resigning from command on November 30. -
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
Lincoln Issues his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, which would pardon those who participated in the "existing rebellion" if they take an oath to the Union. -
Escape From Libby Prison
Escape from Libby Prison, Richmond. After weeks of digging, 109 Union officers made their escape from the notorious Libby Prison, the largest and most sensational escape of the war. -
Ulysses S. Grant Appointed Lieutenant General
Ulysses S. Grant is appointed lieutenant general, a rank revived at the request of President Lincoln. Grant assumes command of all Union Armies in the field the following day. -
Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia
General Ulysses S. Grant, accompanying the Army of the Potomac under General Meade, issued orders for the campaign to begin on May 3. Lee responded by attacking the Union column in the dense woods and underbrush of an area known as the Wilderness, west of Fredericksburg, Virginia. -
Assault on Petersburg, Virginia
After withdrawing from the lines at Cold Harbor, the Army of the Potomac crossed the James River and with troops from the Army of the James attacked the outer defenses of Petersburg, the primary junction for several southern railroads. -
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia
Sherman's Army of the Cumberland and Army of the Tennessee smash headlong into Johnston's carefully planned defenses at Big and Little Kennesaw. -
Battle of Monocacy, Maryland
Though this battle was a Union defeat, it was also called "the battle that saved Washington" because it helped hold back Confederate General Early's march until troops could be sent to the capital's defense. -
George McClellan Nominated
Democrats nominate McClellan to run for president against Lincoln. -
Lincoln is re-elected
Lincoln is re-elected president, after two Union victories in September and October, with 55% of the popular vote. -
March to the Sea
General Sherman's Army of Georgia begins the "March to the Sea". -
The Battle of Nashville, Tennessee
The Confederate Army under John Bell Hood is thoroughly defeated and the threat to Tennessee ends. -
Capture of Fort Fisher
Union Assault and capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina. -
Abolition of Slavery
U.S congress approves the thirteenth amendment to abolish slavery. -
Union Captures Columbia
Sherman's Army captures Columbia, South Carolina while Confederate defenders evacuate Charleston, South Carolina. -
Attack on Fort Stedman, Petersburg
Named, "Lee's last offensive", Confederate troops under General John B. Gordon attack and briefly capture the Union fort in the Petersburg siege lines in an attempt to thwart Union plans for a late March assault. -
Union Advances
Union troops occupy Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. -
Confederate Surrender
Lee signs the document of surrender at the Battle of Appomattox Court House. The Army of Northern Virginia formally surrenders and is disbanded. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln and his Mary attend the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater. At 10:13 pm, Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth. -
General Joseph Johnston Surrender
General Joseph Johnston signs the surrender document for the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and miscellaneous southern troops attached to his command at Bennett's Place near Durham, North Carolina. -
General Richard Taylor Surrenders
General Richard Taylor surrenders Confederate forces in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. -
Civil War Ends
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. -
New Freedman's Bureau Bill
New Freedman's Bureau bill passed by Congress. President Andrew Johnson vetoes the bill that authorized military trial for those accused of "depriving Negroes of the Civil Rights" on the same day. -
President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act
President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act of 1866 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional -
Peace at Last
The United States declares that a state of peace exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. -
Equal Rights Association
American Equal Rights Association forms. -
Congress Votes Otherwise
Congress overrides Andrew Johnson's veto of the Freedman's Bureau bill. -
Tennessee ratifies the 14th Amendment
Tennessee ratifies the 14th Amendment. This quick ratification meant Tennessee would not suffer under 2nd Reconstruction -
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. -
David Farragut Appointed to Admiral
Congress creates the rank of Admiral. David Farragut is appointed to that rank. -
Peace with Texas
A proclamation of peace with Texas is issued by United States President Andrew Johnson. -
Fire Ship
A fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard accidentally 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. -
Nebraska
Nebraska becomes 37th US state. -
Reconstruction Act
1st Reconstruction act passed by US Congress. -
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. -
General Philip Sheridan
General Philip Sheridan commands the 5th Military district of Louisiana and Texas. He chooses New Orleans as his headquarters. -
2nd Reconstruction Act
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act over Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Lincoln Memorial
Congress approves building of Lincoln Memorial. -
United States Purchases Alaska
William P. Seward signs a treaty with Russia buying Alaska for 2 cents an acre. -
Blacks Protest Segregation
Blacks stage ride-in to protest segregation in New Orleans. -
New Secretary of War
President Andrew Johnson demands the resignation of Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War. -
The Birthplace of College Football
Rutgers plays the first ever college football game against the College of New Jersey, and wins by a score of 6-4.
