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Lincoln Elected President
Considered the snapping point for the south, "forcing' them to leave the United States and sparking the war. -
Confederacy Formed
Seven southern, slave baring states, having seceded from the union, form the Confederate States of America. Over the next 10 months, six more states joined the Confederacy, truely seperating the north from the south. -
First Battle Of Bull Rush
First large scale battle of the civil war, fought in northern Virginia. The smaller of the two armies, owned by the union (28,000) forced the larger confederate army (33,000) into retreat, with the exception of the "brigade" run under General Jackson, whom ordered his forces to stand ground. This stand turned the tides of the battle, sent the union army in full retreat and awarded General Jackson the nickname "Stonewall" Jackson. -
Battle Of Hampton Roads
First Ironclad battle in history, also know as Monitor vs. Merrimack. Fought in virginia, the battle ground to a stand still, though it the confederate forces retreated, leaving the Union as the last standing victor. -
Battle of Shiloh
Lasting two days, the battle of Shiloh was the bloodiest battle to its date. Confederate forces launched a sneak attack on the union forces in Hardin Country, Tennessee. The unprepared union soldiers stumbled to find a foot hold, landing a lucky spot in a lowered road, now to this day called the hornet's nest. Though artillery made the battle difficult for the union, they eventually pushed back the confederate army, winning the battle. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
With the union forces fully rejuvinated an attack was lead by General Joseph Hooker towards General Lee's flank. However, the confederate forces under General Lee And General Jackson slipped silently through the forest, launching a sneak attack on the federal army's flank. Due to fast thinking of the of the two confederate generals, both the flanked union army and the army planing to attack General Lee's rear were defeated. However, General Jackson suffered a mortal wound in the battle. -
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Peninsula Campaign
Large scale attack that resulted in multiple small scale battles and sieges in an attempt by the north to take the confederate capital in Richmond. Eventually ended with opperation with northern forces being recalled to Washington. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
General "Stonewall" Jackson launches an attack in Virginia on a union army passing his position. The battle continued through ending the day with Jackson being "Trapped" by Officer John Pope, who knew no better than to jump to that conclusion. The next day, a large force lead by James Longstreet slipped effortlessly into Pope's right flank, devistating them with a giant attack which Pope's army only just escaped, presued by the confederate forces. -
Battle of Antietam
The first battle in the civil war fought on union soil, more specificly, in Washington. The battle was made up of counterattack after counterattack and has no decernable victor though the confederate forces eventually retreated, leaving the union army as the last standing. Battle caused the bloodiest single day in American history. -
Battle of Stones River
Fought in Tennessee, this battle acted as a necessary victory for the north, though not given easily. The south made many strong attacks on the north through an open field, some showing extreme promise until met with the north's considerable artillery. The battle ultimately went to the union forces. -
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Battle/Seige of Vicksburg
Fought in the Warren Country, this attack, lead by General Grant for the union both scored a much needed stronghold for the north and caused the confederate front to be broken appart in that area, leaving a small opening for the union. This battle eventually lead to the promotion of General Grant to Lt. General. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This three day battle hosted the heaviest losses on both sides in entire war. Also the second battle on northern soil, it could possibly decern the fate of the war. the union forces were pushed back to Cemetery Hill, where they stretched east and west and fought for the next two days. On the last day of the battle the battle's highlight had moved all the way to Culp's hill where the union was regaining it's lost ground. The battle was ended with "Pickett's Charge" forcing the south into retreat. -
Battle of Chickamauga
Battle hosting the title of "Largest battle in western theater" and second highest death tole of any battle in the civil war. The south caused a retreat of the union, but failed to take advantage of the opening, allowing the north to regroup and strike back against the south, scoring a victroy for the union. -
Title of Lt. General of the United States Given to Ulysses Grant
General Ulysses Grant given full control of union forces. -
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle fought extremely close to Richmond, where General Grant lead the north in an attempt to sunder the enemy forces and General Lee attempted to protect the capital. The battle was mede uneasy by the dense forest in the area. The battle consisted of a series of flank attacks leading to an inconclusive ending, however, General Grant held the offensive rather than retreating, and would do so until the end of the war. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Giant series of battles in Spotsylvania area as the union forced towards Richmond. North constantly being stopped by confederate forces and only just disengaging in time to move to the next bloody battle. This trend lasted two weeks, decimating the attacking union force and giving the leading man, General Grant, the nickname "Butcher Grant". -
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Savannah Campaign (Sherman’s March to the Sea)
A three hundred mile rush from --- to the sea in an attempt by the north to force the south to surrender. Everyting the march came by was burnt to the ground. -
Robert E. Lee Appointed General in Chief of Confederate Forces
Robert E. Lee given full control over armed forces of the south. Though obviously the correct choice, far too late for it to have any affect on the war. -
Official Surrender Of General Lee
Not long after being appointed Lt. General of the Confederation, Robert E. Lee surrenders, having begun and ended the war in the parameters of his homes. -
Slavery Abolished In The United States With The 13th Amendment
Slavery Ended in United States of America with the statement "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction" (nationalarchives.gov - 13th amendment)
