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Civil War Timespan
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Jefferson Davis defends slavery
The senator of Mississippi, Jefferson Davis, presented a series of resolutions on slavery to the Senate. He stated that slavery can not be prohibited by the Federal government. -
The Pony Express
On this day, first Pony Express started, which is using horses and rider relay teams to deliver mail. The Pony Express was more than twice as fast as its competitors. -
The Union Party Meets
The Constitutional Union Party held a convention in Baltimore where they would discuss the nominees for presidency. The party nominated John Bell as president and Edward Everett for vice president. -
The Republican Convention
The Republican Convention of 1860 began in Chicago, Illinois. At this convention, Abraham Lincoln was nominated by the republican party to run for the presidential election. -
Lincoln is elected President
Abraham Lincoln is elected the sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln and the Republican Party were opposed to slavery and supported the Union. This election is the final straw for some southern states who considered secession. -
South Carolina's Senator Resigns
On November 10, 1860, James Chesnut Jr., South Carolina's Senator, resigned his seat in the US Senate. He later became a colonel in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. -
Threats on Fort Sumter
Union general, Major Robert Anderson notifies Abraham Lincoln that Fort Sumter is being threatened. -
The Secession Convention
On December 17, 1860, the South Carolina Convention takes place in the Baptist Church in Columbia. At this convention, South Carolina decided that they would secede from the U.S. -
South Carolina
On December 20, 1860, South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union. This action was an immediate result after President Lincoln was elected. -
Major Anderson moves to Fort Sumter
Union general, Major Robert Anderson moved from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. At Fort Sumter, he began assembling soldiers for battle. -
Jefferson Resigns
On January 21, 1861, Jefferson Davis, Senator of Mississippi and president of the Confederate States of America, resigns from the US Senate. -
The C.S.A is formed
The Confederate States of America, consisting of the governments of the eleven southern states that seceded in 1860-1861, was formed in February of 1861. This was formed in order to preserve slavery and also state's rights. -
Inauguration Day
On this day in 1861, Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as the 16th president of the United States. During this time, there were many threats of war that Lincoln took cautiously. -
Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter took place on April 4, 1861 in Charleston, South Carolina. -
Confederates Flourish
As the 8th state to do so, Virginia secedes from the Union. Following Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina also secede. -
Blockade
Abraham Lincoln issues a Blockade against the South to prevent them from getting supplies. -
The Union Army
As Lincoln senses conflict is approaching, he requests Congress to enlist a Union Army. As a result, Congress calls for about 500,000 men. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run was fought near Manassas, Virginia. This was the first major of the Civil War. The Union suffers a defeat here. -
New Commander
Abraham Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan as the new Commander of the Department. This results in George McClellan replacing Irvin McDowell. -
George McClellan
Abraham Lincoln decided to promote George B. McClellan from Commander of the Department to General-in-Chief of the Union Army. -
Fort Henry
In Tennessee, General Ulysses S. Grant had a victory after capturing Fort Henry. This was the first major Union victory in the Civil War. -
Fort Donelson
Ulysses S. Grant moved 12 miles cross-country to capture the Confederate fort near the Tennessee-Kentucky border, the Cumberland River. Fort Donelson surrendered to Union Commander Ulysses S. Grant. -
Battle of Yorktown Begins
Union forces under General George McClellan arrive at Yorktown, Virginia. General McClellan and his army marched from Fort Monroe. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate's surprise attack Grant's unprepared troops at a small church in Tennessee. This resulted in 10,000 Confederates and 13,000 Union killed and a victory for the Confederates. -
New Orleans
The Union goes to New Orleans, which is one of the South's largest seaports. At this battle, The Union captures New Orleans. -
The Battle of Seven Pines
George B. McClellan's troops are almost defeated in the Battle of Seven Pines in Fair Oaks, Virginia. However, General Johnston of the Confederate Army was horribly wounded. -
Confederates Try to Persuade France
Commissioners of the Confederate States of America try to persuade Napoleon III of France to help end the Union blockade. -
The Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run took place in Northern Virginia. The Union Army again retreats to Washington after 75,000 of them are defeated by 55,000 Confederates under General Stonewall Jackson. -
Antietam
The battle of Antietam, in Maryland, is the bloodiest single day battle in American history. Neither side won the battle, but it ended in a loss of about 110 men. -
Robert E. Lee
General Robert E. Lee and his army are stopped at Antietam, Maryland by McClellan and the Union Forces. General Lee withdraws to Virginia at nightfall after 26,000 men are left dead or wounded. -
Emancipation
Abraham Lincoln's plan for Emancipation is published in the Union newspapers. The establishment of this plan gave slaves hope for their freedom. -
The Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg, commanded by General Ambrose E. Burnside, is known to be one of the worst commanded battles during the Civil War. About 18,00 men were killed or wounded. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation that would free slaves that were captured by the Union. This also encourages African Americans to enlist for their freedom. -
Blacks serve in the war
The 1st black Civil War regiment, SC Volunteers, mustered into US army. Slaves were promised freedom and land after they served in the war. -
National Banking Act
Abraham Lincoln signs the National Banking Act, which became a law. Congress passed this act to help settle the prior financial crisis from the start of the Civil War. -
Stonewall Jackson
General Stonewall Jackson dies from pneumonia just eight days after the victory at the march at Chancellorsville, where he was wounded by a friendly fire. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
General Burnside's replacement, General Hooker, is defeated by Lee's much smaller forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. Hooker retreats, with both sides suffering great losses. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is considered to be the turning point of the Civil War. The South hoped to win with the famous Pickett's Charge, instead the North regains ground and forces a retreat. -
The End of the Battle of Gettysburg
July 3rd marks the last day of the Battle at Gettysburg. The Confederate's casualties were 5,675 while the Union suffered from a smaller loss of about 1,500. -
The Battle of Vicksburg
General John Pemberton surrenders his forces and Vicksburg to Union forces. The loss of Vicksburg splits Confederate forces in half as the North gains control of the Mississippi River. -
Lee Resigns
After his shameful defeat at Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee sends a letter of resignation to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Davis refuses the request. -
The Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln gives a two minute speech regarding the soldiers lost in the Battle of Gettysburg. This speech becomes one of the most well known speeches in American History. -
Andersonville
The first Northern prisoners, about 500 prisoners, arrive at the Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia. This was the harshest prison camp of the Civil War. -
Ulysses S. Grant
On this day, President Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant General of the Union Army. He will serve this position for the remainder of the war. -
Red River Campaign
A joined force of army and navy commands under General Nathaniel Banks start a campaign on the Red River in Louisiana. This campaign was part of an overall Union strategy to see into parts of the Confederacy. -
The Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness took place in a forest near Richmond, Virginia.This battle was a victory for the Confederates. -
The Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor was the final battle of Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign during the American Civil War. This battle is known to be one of American history's bloodiest and most uneven battles. -
The Battle of Piedmont
During the Battle of Piedmont, Union forces were under General David Hunter. The Union defeats Confederacy. -
The Conscription Law
Lincoln signs away the fee that if someone wanted to avoid being drafted into the Union Army, they could pay. -
George B. McClellan
At this time, Democrats nominated George B. McClellan to run for president against Abraham Lincoln. -
March to the Sea
At Waynesboro, Georgia, the Union forces prevent Confederate troops from interfering with General Sherman's plan to destroy part of the South by matching to Savannah, Georgia. -
Lincoln's Re-election
On this day, Abraham Lincoln is re-elected as president. His victory is overwhelming because of the amount of votes he received over George B. McClellan. -
Fort Fisher
The attack and capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina. The Confederacy's most important blockade port is now closed. -
Robert E.Lee
Confederate General Robert E. Lee is appointed general-in-chief. -
The Thirteenth Amendment
The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery. -
John Breckinridge appointed Confederate Secretary of War
Breckinridge accepted a post in the Confederacy as brigadier general, and was quickly promoted to major general. However in February 1865, Breckinridge received the appointment of Secretary of War by Confederate President, Jefferson Davis -
Robert E. Lee surrenders
After four long years, General Lee surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. This event ends the Civil War. -
Louisiana
Lincoln said that blacks who were "very intelligent" and those who had served in the Union army should be given the right to vote. He was referring to reconstruction taking place in Louisiana. -
The Assassination of Lincoln
John Wilkes Booth shoots President Lincoln at Fords Theater during a performance. Early the next day, President Lincoln was pronounced dead. -
Jefferson Davis
Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured near Irwinville, Georgia. -
The Nation reunites
The remaining Confederate forces surrender. Now that the Civil War has ended, the Nation comes together. Over 620,000 Americans died in the war. -
Andrew Johnson
President Andrew Johnson was Vice President but succeeded Lincoln when he was assassinated. Also, he fought with Congress over Reconstruction. Later on, he was impeached but then acquitted by just one vote. -
Veto of the Civil Rights Act
President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act of 1866 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. -
Beginnings of Peace
The United States declares that a state of peace exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Being the first federal, it states that all U.S. citizens are equally protected by the law. This is another step in gaining rights for all African Americans. -
Equal Rights Association
American Equal Rights Association forms. -
Memphis Riots
Beginning with an altercation between white policemen and black Union soldiers, everything erupts into violence. Black neighborhoods are ravaged as white civilians and police alike look for vengeance. Federal troops are able to end fighting on May 3rd. -
Fourteenth Amendment
Thirty-ninth Congress approves the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. This does not mark the date it was added to the constitution only approved. -
Tennessee Readmitted
Tennessee is the first former Confederate state to be readmitted to the Union. -
Establishment of The 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 General. -
New Orleans Race Riots
Starting with African Americans protesting outside a Louisiana Conventional Convention for better voting rights ended in a race riot. The conflict was started when Mayor Monroe organized a group of ex-Confederate soldiers to attack the protesters. -
Presidential Proclamation
Andrew Johnson wrote and signed this document after fighting in Texas had ceased. It assured the American public that civil order had been restored to America and that the United States was whole again. -
Philadelphia Fire
A fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard accidentally destroys a number of ships used during the Civil War. -
Black Rights in D.C.
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto. -
First Reconstruction Act
The first reconstruction act sets up five military districts in the South, each under the control of a military commander.Wanted to reunite the Southern and Northern states. -
Second Reconstruction Act
Congress passes 2nd Reconstruction Act over President Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Lincoln Memorial
Congress first approves building of Lincoln Memorial. -
Ride Ins
African Americans stage a ride on streetcars in New Orleans to protest segregation. -
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. -
African Americans Vote For First Time
In a United States state election in the South African Americans are granted the right to vote. The voting occurs in the state of Tennessee, which happened to be the only state in the South that ratified the Fourteenth Amendment, thereby avoiding the Reconstruction Acts. -
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. -
First Black University
With the help of Congress the first all African American college is created in Washington D.C. named Howard U.
