-
Henry Repeating Rifle was made
THe Henry repeating rifle was made. The gun was designed to have only one man have the power of a dozen men with muskets. . The invention of this weapon had a huge impact on the war to follow. -
Copper Union Speech
Abraham Lincoln makes a speech at Cooper Union in the city of New York that is largely responsible for his election to the Presidency. -
Slavery threatened
In a speech at the Cooper Institute in New York, Abraham Lincoln attacks slavery and insists that the Federal government has "the power of restraining the extension of the institution." -
Pre-emption Bill
Congress accepts Pre-emption Bill: free land in West for colonists -
Democratic National Convention.
The Democratic National Convention, meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. Politicians are unable to agree on a nominee. The only thing they can agree on is to continue the debate in Baltimore the next month -
Constitutional Party is formed
The American Party and the Whig Party meet in Baltimore, forming the Constitutional Party. -
Abe Lincoln nominated for President
Republican Party nominates Abraham Lincoln for president -
Grace Bedell Letter
Eleven year-old, Grace Bedell writes a lettter to lincoln saying that he should grow a beard because of his lenkyness.SHe said it would look better, THe next day, he starts growing out his beard. -
Lincoln is elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States and is fully against slavery. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union on this date. Meeting in Charleston on December 20, that convention passed unanimously the first ordinance of secession, which stated, "We, the people of the State of South Carolina in convention assembled, do declare and ordain... that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, under the name of 'the United States of America,' is hereby dissolved," making South Carolina a free and independent country. -
South Secedes and creates Confederacy.
By this date, many southern states have seceded from the Union and formed their on Confederacy. These states include Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. -
The Confederacy is formed
The Confederacy is formed of the seceded southern states. West Point graduate, Jefferson Davis becomes President of the Confederate States of America. -
First shots at Fort Sumter
The Confederacy is bed by Gen. Pierre Beauregard with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War begins at this battle. -
Proclaimation calling Militia
On this date, President Lincoln issued a Proclamation calling for 75,000 militia. -
Virginia Secedes
Virginia secedes from the Union, thus forming an eleven state Confederacy with a population of 9 million, including nearly 4 million slaves. The Union will soon have 21 states and a population of over 20 million. -
President Lincoln Issues Blockade
President Lincoln issues a Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports. For the rest of the war the blockade restricts the South from being supplied with Industrialized items from the North. This was a major factor in the outcome of the war. -
Robert E Lee Resigns from US Army
Robert E. Lee resigns his commission in the United States Army. "I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." Lee then went south and became commander of military forces in Virgina. rob -
Congress calls for 50,000 men for war.
President Lincoln gave a speech to Congress explaining the importance of the war. Congree calls for 50,000 men to war to fight for Lincoln. -
McClellan Appointed as Commander
On this date, President Lincoln appointed George B. McClellan as Commander of the Department of the Potomac, replacing Commander McDowell. -
International Diplomatic Crisis
The beginning of an international diplomatic crisis for President Lincoln as two Confederate officials sailing toward England are seized by the U.S. Navy. England, the leading world power, demands their release, threatening war. Lincoln eventually gives in and orders their release in December. -
Lincoln's Son Dies
The death of President's 11 year old son had a huge impact on him. Studies believe that he died of polluted drinking water in the White House. -
Merrimac Sinks
The Confederate ship 'Merrimac' sank two wooden Union ships then battled the Union Ironclad 'Monitor' to a draw. -
Battle of Shiloh
40,000 Confederate soldiers under the command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston poured out of the nearby woods and struck a line of Union soldiers occupying ground near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. The Condeferacy came out on top. -
Capture of New Orleans
The fall of New Orleans was caused by the Anaconda Plan. The first step to securing the Mississippi was the capture of New Orleans. The Confederacy's largest city and busiest port, New Orleans was defended by two large forts, Jackson and St. Philip, situated on the river below the city. -
Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines was lead by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army attacks McClellan's troops in front of Richmond and nearly defeated them. -
Fort Henry Captured
Ulysses Grant drove his Union army to Tenesse and captured the confederate Fort Henry -
Seven Days War
Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, Savage's Station, Frayser's Farm, and Malvern Hill battles all took place starting on this date. On July 2, the Confederates withdrew to Richmond, ending the Peninsular Campaign. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
In order to draw Pope's army into battle, Jackson ordered an attack on a Federal column that was passing across his front on the Warrenton Turnpike on August 28. The fighting at Brawner Farm lasted several hours and resulted in a stalemate. The Confederacy came out victorious at the Second Battle of Bull Run. -
Battle of Anteitam
This battle was the single bloodiest battle of the war. The Union came out on top but with 23,000 casualties. -
Battle of Fredricksurg
On December 11, Union engineers laid five pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock under fire. -
Commander Burnside is replaced
The president appoints Gen. Joseph Hooker as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Commander Burnside. -
Military Draft
The U.S. Congress issues a draft, affecting male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exempts those who pay $300 or provide a substitute. -
Chancellorsville
The Union army is defeated by the smaller Confederacy army as a result of General Lee's tactics. Stonewall Jackson is wounded by his own soldier. -
Stonewall Dies
General Stonewall Jackson dies from his wounds at battle of Chancellorsville. -
Battle of Gettysburg
On July 1, Confederates drove Union defenders through Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill. The next day Lee struck the flanks of the Union line resulting in severe fighting at Devil's Den, Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Culp’s Hill and East Cemetery Hill. Southerners gained ground but failed to dislodge the Union host. -
Lee invades the North
General Robert E. Lee with 75,000 Confederates attempted his second invasion of the North, heading into Pennsylvania in a campaign that will soon lead to Gettysburg. -
General Meade replaces Hooker
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. -
Vicksburg
Vicksburg being the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, surrendered to General Grant and the Army of the West after a six week siege. -
Chickamauga
A successful Confederate victory by General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee at Chickamauga caused Gen. William S. Rosecrans' Union Army of the Cumberland to be trapped in Chattanooga, Tennessee under Confederate siege. -
Battle of Chattanooga
November 23-25, 1863 - The Rebel siege of Chattanooga ends as Union forces under Grant defeat the siege army of Gen. Braxton Bragg. -
Grant is Promoted
Newly commissioned to the rank of lieutenant general, Ulysses S. Grant is given official authority to command all of the armies of the United States. -
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia is the first of a bloody series of month-long engagements between Grant and Lee. -
Battle of Spotsylvania
Battles at Spotsylvania Court House and Yellow Tavern impede Grant’s drive for Richmond. Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart is killed at Yellow Tavern, May 11. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor results in heavy Union casualties. Grant prepares for a ten month siege of Petersburg. -
Kearsarge sinks
The USS Kearsarge sinks the CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France, where the Confederate raider was bound for refitting. -
Lincolns signs Bill
Lincoln signs a bill repealing the fugitive slave laws. -
Fort Stevens
Confederate forces under Jubal Early probe and fire upon the northern defenses of Washington, D.C., throwing the Capital into a state of high alert. -
Capturing of Atlanta
After forcing the Confederate army of John Bell Hood out of Atlanta, Georgia, General William T. Sherman captures the city, a major munitions center for the South. -
Shenandoah Valley
A Union victory at Cedar Creek ends the Confederate threat in the Shenandoah Valley. -
Sherman leaves Atlanta
Sherman leaves Atlanta and begins his “march to the sea,” in an attempt to demoralize the South and hasten surrender. -
Thirteenth Amendment
Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolishes slavery throughout the United States. -
Sherman attacks South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina, is almost completely destroyed by fire, most likely set by Sherman’s troops. -
Lincoln begins his second term
Lincoln is inaugurated as President for a second term. -
Beginning of Appomattox
The Appomattox campaign begins, with Grant’s move against Lee’s defenses at Petersburg, Virginia. -
Fall of Petersburg
Petersburg falls, and the Confederate government evacuates its capital, Richmond. Confederate corps commander Ambrose Powell Hill is killed in action while attempting to rally his men. -
Fall of North Virginia
Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant at Appomattox. -
Lincoln is assasinated
John Wilkes Booth shoots President Lincoln at Ford’s Theater; Secretary of State William H. Seward is stabbed and wounded in an assassination attempt inside his Washington home. -
Lincoln Dies
Lincoln dies, and Andrew Johnson is inaugurated as President. -
Davis is captured
Jefferson Davis is captured and taken prisoner near Irwinville, Georgia. -
Suspects of Lincoln's death are convicted
All eight conspirators are convicted for the assassination of President Lincoln; four are sentenced to death. -
Freedman's Bureau passes 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 -
Civil Rights Act is vetoed
President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act of 1866 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional -
Union declares peace with the South
The United States declares that a state of peace exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia -
Veto is Overriden
Congress overrides President Andrew Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights Act -
14th Amendment Approved
Connecticut approves the 14th Amendment -
Tennessee avoids Reconstruction
Tennessee ratifies the 14th Amendment. This quick ratification meant Tennessee would not suffer under 2nd Reconstruction -
Rank of Admiral
Congress creates the rank of Admiral. David Farragut is appointed to that rank -
KKK under suspicous
The U. S. Secret Service begins an investigation into the Ku Klux Klan -
14th Amendment
New Jersey ratifies the 14th Amendment -
Fire in Philadelphia
A fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard accidently destroys a number of ships used during the Civil War -
Blacks vote
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto -
Charles Dickens in NY
In a New York City theater, British author Charles Dickens gives his first public reading in the United States at the anniversary festival of the Literary Fund -
Nebraska
Nebraska becomes a state. -
Tenure of Office Act
This act prevents the President from removing civil officers. An account of the Act which, when violated by Andrew Johnson, nearly led to the impeachment of the President. -
Reconstruction Act
Congress passed this act during the reconstruction era of the united states. this act declared that the state governments created under Lincoln and Johnson were invalid and gave congress responsibility of reconstruction rather than the president. this would give power to the southern states and attmept to give equality for African Americans -
Alaska is purchased
Alaska would be purchased from Alexander II for $7.2 million by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward. This would make up the 49th state of America, and would be the first non-main land state of America. -
Kidder Massacre
A Sioux and Cheyenne war party kills U.S. Second Lieutenant Lyman Kidder, along with an Indian scout and ten enlisted men in Kansas -
1st Dental School
1st US dental school, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, established. this wouls change how people clean their teeth and lower mouth diseases, like gingavitus and the screvies. -
Johnson vs Congress
President Johnson defies Congress suspending Sec of War Edwin Stanton. Which defys the Tenture Act. -
Madame Marie Sklodowska Curie is born
Madame Marie Sklodowska Curie, who discovered radium was born on this day. this discovery will revolutionise nuclear weapons by its radioactivity. -
Johnson is Impeached
US Congress commission looks into "impeachment" of Pres Andrew Johnson. Because of defying of the tenture act and vetoing several bills, congress will start to think of impeaching Johnson. he is the first oresident to have to go through the process of impeachment.
