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Civil War Timeline
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Jefferson Davis comes out in favor of secession for the first time
Prior to the start of the war, Davis had argued against secession, but when Mississippi seceded he resigned from the U.S. Senate. -
Lincoln Delivers the Cooper Union Speech
The Cooper Union speech or address, known at the time as the Cooper Institute speech, was delivered by Abraham Lincoln on February 27, 1860, at Cooper Union, in New York City. -
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention, meeting in Charleston, South Carolina, could not agree on a nominee. The only thing they did agree on was to continue the debate in Baltimore the next month. -
The Republican Convention
The Republican Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois. This was known as the 2nd Republican Convention. -
Abraham Lincoln is selected as the U.S. presidential candidate for the Republican Party.
Lincoln was selected in the running as the Republican candidate. -
Lincoln Succeeds
Abraham Lincoln beats John C. Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas, and John Bell and is elected as the 16th President of the United States, the first Republican to hold that office. -
South Carolina Calls for a Convention
South Carolina calls for a convention on December 17 to decide if the state should secede from the Union -
James Chesnut Resigns
James Chesnut becomes the first Southerner to resign from the Senate. He is quickly followed by James H. Hammond -
South Carolina Secedes from the United States
When the ordinance was adopted on December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first slave state in the south to declare that it had seceded from the United States. -
South Carolina issues the "Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union", analogous to the United States Declaration of Independence
A proclamation issued on December 24, 1860, by the government of South Carolina to explain its reasons for seceding from the United States. -
Confederate States and Jefferson Davis
The Confederate States of America is formed with Jefferson Davis, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer, as president. -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes President
Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th president of the United States. -
Fort Sumter
The Civil War begins at 4:30 a.m. Confederates under General Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. -
A Proclamation is Issued
President Lincoln issues a Proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen, and summoning a special session of Congress for July 4. -
States Secede from the Union
Virginia seceded from the Union, followed by Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. This formed an eleven state Confederacy with a population of 9 million, including nearly 4 million slaves. The Union would soon have 21 states and a population of over 20 million. -
A Blockade is Issued
President Lincoln issues a Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports. For the duration of the war the blockade limits the ability of the rural South to stay well supplied in its war against the industrialized North. -
Robert E Lee Takes Action
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 goes to Richmond, Virginia, is offered command of the military and naval forces of Virginia, and accepts. -
Lincoln Delivers a Speech
Lincoln, in a speech to Congress, states the war is..."a People's contest...a struggle for maintaining in the world, that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate the condition of men..." The Congress authorizes a call for 500,000 men. -
The First Bull Run
The Union Army under General Irvin McDowell suffers a defeat at Bull Run 25 miles southwest of Washington. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earns the nickname "Stonewall," as his brigade resists Union attacks. -
A New Commander is Appointed
President Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan as Commander of the Department of the Potomac, replacing McDowell. -
Ulysses S. 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. -
Shiloh
Confederate surprise attack on General Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared troops at Shiloh on the Tennessee River on April 6th leading into the 7th. This resulted with 13,000 Union killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates. -
The Union Improves
17 Union ships under the command of Flag Officer David Farragut move up the Mississippi River then take New Orleans, the South's greatest seaport. -
The Seven Days Battles
The Seven Days Battles as Lee attacks McClellan near Richmond, resulting in very heavy losses for both armies. McClellan then begins a withdrawal back toward Washington. This lasts from June 25 until July 1. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
75,000 Federals under General John Pope are defeated by 55,000 Confederates under General Stonewall Jackson and General James Longstreet at the second battle of Bull Run in northern Virginia. -
Lee Invades
Lee invades the North with 50,000 Confederates and heads for Harpers Ferry. -
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest day in U.S. military history as General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland by McClellan and superior Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. Lee then withdraws to Virginia. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln discusses an Emancipation Proclamation to free all slaves. -
McClellan is Replaced
The president replaces McClellan with General Ambrose E. Burnside as the new Commander of the Army of the Potomac. -
Fredericksburg
Army of the Potomac under General Burnside suffers a costly defeat at Fredericksburg in Virginia with a loss of 12,653 men after 14 frontal assaults on well entrenched Rebels on Marye's Heights. -
New Commander Appointed
The president appoints General Joseph Hooker as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Burnside. -
Grant is in Charge
General Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West, with orders to capture Vicksburg. -
Chancellorsville
The Union Army under General Hooker is decisively defeated by Lee's much smaller forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia as a result of Lee's brilliant and daring tactics. Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson is mortally wounded by his own soldiers. (May 1-4) -
The Death of Stonewall Jackson
Stonewall Jackson dies a tragic death due to his wounds that came from his own soldiers. -
Another Commander is Appointed
President Lincoln appoints General 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
From July 1-3, the war takes a turn when the Confederates are defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. -
Frederick Douglass
The president meets with abolitionist Frederick Douglass who pushes for full equality for Union 'Negro troops.' -
Chickamauga
A Confederate victory by General Braxton Bragg's Army at Chickamauga leaves Gen. William S. Rosecrans' Union Army of the Cumberland trapped in Chattanooga, Tennessee under Confederate siege. (Sept. 19-20) -
The Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivered this speech for the dedication of Soldier's National Cemetery, a cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle Of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. This speech was under five minutes, and it was as powerful of a speech as the previous one that was delivered, which lasted for two hours. -
Chattanooga
The Rebel siege of Chattanooga ends as Union forces under Grant defeat the siege army of General Braxton Bragg. (Nov. 23-25) -
Grant is Promoted
President Lincoln appoints General Grant to command all of the armies of the United States. -
Cold Harbor
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. -
A Missed Opportunity
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. -
John B Hood
At Atlanta, Sherman's forces battle the Rebels now under the command of Gen. John B. Hood, who replaced Johnston. -
McClellan´s Return
Democrats nominate George B. McClellan for president to run against Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln. -
Atlanta is Captured
Atlanta is captured by Sherman's Army. The victory greatly helps President Lincoln's bid for re-election. -
President Lincoln Succeeds Once Again
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. -
Sherman´s March to the Sea
After destroying Atlanta's warehouses and railroad facilities, Sherman, with 62,000 men, begin a March to the Sea. -
Nashville
Hood's Rebel Army of 23,000 is crushed at Nashville by 55,000 Federals including Negro troops under General George H. Thomas. -
Savannah
Sherman reaches Savannah in Georgia leaving behind a 300 mile long path of destruction 60 miles wide all the way from Atlanta. -
13th Amendment
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that abolished slavery. -
Petersburg
The last offensive for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia begins with an attack on the center of Grant's forces at Petersburg. Four hours later the attack is broken. -
Lee Evacuates Petersburg
Grant's forces begin a general advance and break through Lee's lines at Petersburg. Confederate General Ambrose P. Hill is killed. -
Lee Finally Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to General Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. -
Celebration
Celebrations break out in Washington. -
Lincoln´s Last Breath
That night, Lincoln and his wife Mary see the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater. At 10:13 p.m., during the third act of the play, John Wilkes Booth shoots the president in the head. -
Announced Dead
Lincoln is officially announced dead to the public at 7:22 am. -
John Wilkes Booth Announced Dead
John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia. -
Finally At Peace
Abraham Lincoln is laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, outside Springfield, Illinois. -
Slavery Abolished
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, is finally ratified, and slavery is abolished. -
The Liberator
The last issue of the Liberator is published, and now the newspaper has now become unnecessary because the slaves have been freed. -
Jesse James
One of the most successful bank robbers, Jesse James, commits the first daylight bank robbery with his gang in Liberty, Missouri. -
The ASPCA
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is founded in New York by Henry Bergh. -
The Nickel is Created
Congress approves the minting of a five cent piece, known as the nickel. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment is ratified. This gives civil rights to all the freed African Americans. -
Tennessee is Readmitted
Following the Civil War, Tennessee becomes the first state readmitted to the Union. -
General of the Army
Congress passes the legislation making General of the Army a rank. Ulysses S. Grant is the first to hold that title. -
Communication Increases
The Atlantic Cable is established allowing transatlantic telegraph communication for the first time. -
Train Robbery
The first train robbery takes place. The Reno brothers get away with $13,000. -
Jesse James Strikes Again
Jesse James and his gang robs a bank in Lexington, Missouri. They get away with $2,000. -
African American Males Gain More Independence
African American males are given the right to vote in Washington D.C. -- Congress over came President Johnson's veto to give the African Americans this right. -
The First Reconstruction Act
The first reconstruction act sets up five military districts in the South, each under the control of a military commander. -
Jesse James Continues On
Jesse James robs a bank in Savannah, Missouri. The attempt failed with one casualty. -
The Ride Ins
African Americans stage a ride on streetcars in New Orleans to protest segregation. -
Purchase of Alaska
President Andrew Johnson announces the purchase of Alaska. This would be the second to last state added to the United States of America. -
Third Reconstruction Act
Johnson vetoes the third reconstruction act which spells out election procedures in the South and reasserts congressional control over the Reconstruction. -
Johnson Suspends Stanton
Johnson suspends Stanton as Secretary of War after the two clash over reconstruction plans. Johnson places Ulysses S. Grant in the position. -
Alaska is Officially Acquired
The United States officially takes possession of Alaska from Russia. $7.2 million is paid for it. -
Andrew Johnson´s Impeachment
Congress looks into impeaching Johnson for his lack of effectiveness and unwillingness to follow through with reconstruction. -
Grange
Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry.
