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Civil War Timeline
Civil War Timeline -
Jefferson Davis comes out in favor of secession for the first time
Jefferson Davis expresses how he is in favor of secession publicly. This sparks many conflicts within the United States -
Republican Convention is held in Chicago
Republican Convention is held in Chicago, Illinois. William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase and Abraham Lincoln of Illinois are the leading contenders from a field of 12 candidates. Lincoln wins on the third ballot. Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, an outspoken, long-time abolitionist is chosen for vice-president. -
Southern Democrats select John C. Breckinridge as their nominee for President
Southern Democrats hold a convention in Richmond where they select John C. Breckinridge as their nominee for President. He later loses to Abraham Lincoln in the final poll. -
Abraham Lincoln wins the Presidential election
Republican Abraham Lincoln won the Presidential election with 39.7% of the vote He defeated Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge and John Bell. -
James Chesnut resigns from the Senate
James Chesnut becomes the first Southerner to resign from the Senate. He is quickly followed by James H. Hammond. -
Robert Toombs announces his resignation from the U. S. Senate
At the end of a pro-secession speech, Robert Toombs announces his resignation from the U. S. Senate at the end of his term. -
Robert Anderson reports Fort Sumter is being threatened
Major Robert Anderson reports Fort Sumter is being threatened in Charleston. Federal forces begin to improved Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter in the harbor. -
Lewis Cass tenders his resignation as Secretary of State
Lewis Cass tenders as Secretary of State. He does this over President Buchanan's refusal to reinforce federal troops in Charleston. -
South Carolina holds a convention to decide if the state should secede from the Union
South Carolina calls for a convention on December 17 to decide if the state should secede from the United States. The decision is made and in a few days is executed in favor of seceding from the country. -
South Carolina Secedes from the United States.
South Carolina leaves the United States to create it's own nation. This prompts the start of the Civil War. -
Mississippi Secedes from the United States
Mississippi follows after South Carolina by leaving the United States. This makes it the second state to leave the country. -
Florida secedes from the United States
Florida is the third state to leave the country. It leaves to join Mississippi and South Carolina. -
Alabama secedes from the United States of America
Alabama leaves the nation shortly after Florida. This makes it the fourth state to secede from the country. -
Georgia secedes from the United States of America
Georgia is the fifth state to leave the country. It leaves only eight days after Alabama did. -
Louisiana secedes from the United States of America
Louisiana secedes from the United States. This makes it the seventh state to secede. -
Texas Secedes from the United States of America
Texas eventually follows the seven other states in leaving the country. This will make it the eighth state to secede from the country. -
The Convention of Seceded States adopts a constitution
The Convention of Seceded States adopts a provisional constitution. Forms the Confederate States of America -
Abraham Lincoln is Inaugurated
Abraham Lincoln is officially sworn in as the 16th president of the United States of America. He would serve on full term. -
Virginia Secedes from the United States of America
Virginia, after two months, follows after Texas in leaving the United States. Shortly before the last two states secede. -
Arkansas secedes from the United States of America
Arkansas swiftly follows Texas after it leaves the US. Arkansas was the second to last state to secede. -
Battle of Fort Donelson
Just a week after capturing Tennessee’s Fort Henry. Union General Ulysses Grant began his assault on nearby Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River -
Battle of Pea Ridge
The forces met near Elkhorn Tavern just three miles south of the Missouri border. Two Confederate generals, Ben McCulloch and James McQueen McIntosh, were killed in the action, -
Battle of Hampton Roads
The major significance of the battle is that it was the first meeting in combat of ironclad warships. These being the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. -
Battle of Pittsburg Landing
A battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Taken place in southwestern Tennessee. -
Commander Farragut's fleet weighs anchor at New Orleans
They demanded the surrender of the largest city and most important port in the South. By the time Farragut arrives the city was partially on fire. -
Battle of Seven Pines
It was part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula -
Jefferson Davis replaces Joseph E. Johnston with Robert E. Lee
Jefferson Davis replaces wounded Army of Northern Virginia commander Joseph E. Johnston. He replaced him with Robert E. Lee. -
Battle of Gaines Mill
Fitz John Porter’s Fifth Corps abandoned its position early and established a new defensive line. George B. McClellan were to hold off Robert E. Lee's army long enough for McClellan to begin moving. -
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation
Following the preemptive strike at Antietam President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation. This was to free slaves in states or portions of states still in rebellion. -
Battle of Stone's River
A battle fought in Middle Tennessee. As the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. -
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect
The Emancipation Proclamation starts to go into effect. This starts to free slaves in the rebelling states. -
Abraham Lincoln relieves General Ambrose Burnside from command
Abraham Lincoln relieves General Ambrose Burnside from command of the Army of the Potomac. He replaces him with General Joseph Hooker. -
General Hooker's Army of the Potomac is defeated by Robert E. Lee's Army
General "Fighting Joe" Hooker's Army of the Potomac is defeated by Robert E. Lee's Army. This happens as it crosses the Rappahannock on the way to Richmond -
General Robert E. Lee advances into Pennsylvania where he meets George Meade
First battling north of the city, by the second day Union forces had retreated south. It formed a strong line as men arrived almost continuously. -
West Virginia becomes a state
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States. It is the first to enter where the terms slave and free no longer mattered -
Battle of Gettysburg
Considered the most battle of the American Civil War. After
a victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia. -
New York City draft riots
At the time of draft week, people caused violent disturbances in lower Manhattan. They were widely regarded as the culmination of working-class discontent with new laws passed by Congress -
General Braxton Bragg tries to split General William Rosecrans forces
General Braxton Bragg tries to split General William Rosecrans forces as they try to return to the safety of Chattanooga. A second day breakthrough at the Brotherton Cabin forces the federals into a retreat, -
President Lincoln delivers a two-minute speech.
President Lincoln delivers a two-minute speech. Immediately following the speech he calls it a "flat failure." The speech is known today as the Gettysburg Address -
Three Union armies attacked the Army of Tennessee
Three Union armies attacked the Army of Tennessee atop Missionary Ridge. Joe Hooker was seriously delayed by burnt bridges and failed to hit the southern end of Bragg's line. -
109 Union officers led by Colonel Thomas Rose escape from Libby Prison.
109 Union officers led by Colonel Thomas Rose escape from Libby Prison on the banks of the James River in Richmond. 59 reach Union lines. -
Battle of the Wilderness
the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Both armies suffered heavy casualties, -
Army of the James land at Bermuda Hundred and City Point
Army of the James under General Benjamin Butler lands at Bermuda Hundred and City Point, east of Petersburg. The Army is comprised of two corps totaling nearly 40,000 men. -
Ulysses S. Grant is badly beaten on the field by Robert E. Lee
Ulysses S. Grant is beaten on the field by Robert E. Lee. But instead of retreating, Grant advances to Spotsylvania Court House. -
General Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee battle for days
In an inconclusive battle. General Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee battle for days southwest of Fredericksburg. -
Battle of Picketts Mill
Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman attempted an attack on the right flank of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Bierce reported that the battle took about 45 minutes; that the total loss was 1,400 men; one-half were killed and wounded in Hazen's brigade in 30 minutes of actual fighting. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
One of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. It is remembered as one of American history's bloodiest, most lopsided battles. -
Robert E. Lee defeats General Ulysses S. Grant and General George Meade
It was an impressive defensive victory for Lee, but it was his last in the war. In the final stage, he alternated between digging into the trenches at Petersburg and fleeing westward across Virginia. -
18 Union ships sail past the entrance to Mobile Bay.
18 Union ships sail past the entrance to Mobile Bay. The C. S. S. Tennessee, prize ironclad of the Confederate Navy awaited the attack. -
Battle of Nashville
The Confederate Army of Tennessee was nearly destroyed. When a Union army commanded by General George Thomas swarmed over the Rebel trenches around Nashville. -
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment
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. -
Abraham Lincoln, William Seward, Alexander Stephens, and Hunter discuss peace
Abraham Lincoln, US Secretary of State William Seward, CS Vice-president Alexander Stephens, along with John Campbell and RMT Hunter discuss peace. The conference was a failure. -
Lincoln outlines his second term
Lincoln outlines his second term talking directly to the Confederate people " with malice toward none; with charity for all" Andrew Johnson, replacing Henry Hamlin as Vice-president gives a rambling, drunk speech. -
Inauguration ceremonies for President Lincoln in Washington
Inauguration ceremonies for President Lincoln in Washington. "With malice toward none; with charity for all...let us strive on to finish the work we are in...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations," Lincoln says. -
Battle of Fort Stedman
The Union Army fortification in the siege lines around Petersburg, Virginia, was attacked in a pre-dawn Confederate assault by troops led by Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon. The attack was the last serious attempt by Confederate troops to break the Siege of Petersburg. -
Confederates break Union line at Petersburg
General John B. Gordon captured Fort Stedman, a Union outpost on the line around besieged Petersburg, eventually punching a hole 3/4 of mile wide. Confederate units then made a desperate attempt to hit the federal supply base at City Point. -
Battle of Five Forks
A mobile task force of combined infantry, artillery and cavalry from the Union Army commanded by Major General Philip Sheridan. It defeated a Confederate States Army combined task force -
President Lincoln tours Richmond
resident Lincoln tours Richmond where he enters the Confederate White House. With "a serious, dreamy expression," he sits at the desk of Jefferson Davis for a few moments. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army
Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Grant allows Rebel officers to keep their sidearms and permits soldiers to keep horses and mules. -
Abraham Lincoln is assassinated
United States President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated on Good Friday. Suspected assassin is John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre, Washington, D. C. -
First formal observation of President Lincoln's birthday
The first formal observation of President Lincoln's birthday is held in Washington, D. C. President Andrew Johnson attend. -
New Freedman's Bureau bill passed by Congress.
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. -
Texas repeals the actions of the Secessionist Convention
Texas has been part of various political entities throughout its history, including 10 years during 1836–1846 as the independent Republic of Texas. The current legal status is as a state of the United States of America. -
The United States declares that a state of peace exists
The United States declares that a state of peace exists. It exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia -
Congress appropriates $100,000 to buy Ford's Theater
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. -
Congress overrides President Andrew Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights Act
a landmark civil rights and US labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools, employment, and public accommodations. -
Cholera epidemic begins in New York
Cholera epidemic begins in New York. It begins when an infected passenger arrives in New York. -
Tennessee ratifies the 14th Amendment
Tennessee ratifies the 14th Amendment. This quick ratification meant Tennessee would not suffer under 2nd Reconstruction. -
Congress establishes "general of the armies"
Ulysses S. Grant is immediately promoted to 4-star general and put in this position. William Tecumseh Sherman assumes the rank of Lt. General. -
A fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard accidently destroys a number of ships.
A fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard accidently destroys a number of ships. These ships were ships used in the civil war. -
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote. This is in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto -
Nebraska becomes a state
Nebraska becomes a state. This makes it the 37th state to join the United States. -
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act. It denies the right of the President to remove officials who had been appointed with the consent of Congress. -
Federal army restores military rule to Mississippi
Federal army restores military rule to Mississippi. This would be the second reconstruction. -
Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousand of votes cast by blacks
Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousand of votes cast by blacks. Who which were granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
General Philip Sheridan assumes command of the 5th Military district
General Philip Sheridan assumes command of the 5th Military district encompassing Louisiana and Texas. He designates New Orleans as his headquarters. -
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act.
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act. They do so over Andrew Johnson's veto. -
William P. Seward signs a treaty with Russia
William P. Seward signs a treaty with Russia buying Alaska for 2 cents an acre. Democrats called it "Seward's Folly". -
Congress passes a bill admitting numerous states
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 -
Ulysses S. Grant becomes ad interim Secretary of War
Ulysses S. Grant becomes ad interim Secretary of War. This happens on August 12, 1867.
