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Benjamin Henry Creates the Rifle
The weapon of choice for the war was perfected a year before the fighting had actually started. Henry worked to create this gun that was patented by the New Haven Arms Company. -
The Pony Express
A new transportation and communication method came along when the Pony Express used 157 riders to deliver mail across the country. They ceased trading after a year of unproductive business. -
Period: to
Civil War Timeline
Civil War Timeline -
Democratic National Convention
A meeting is brought together in South Carolina to discuss the nominee for the Democrats. After they cannot agree on one person, they decide to meet again in a month in Baltimore. -
Governor William Henry Gist considers Secession
The Governor of South Carolina informs other Southern states that they have played with the idea of leaving the United States. They eventually decided they were for it, and they became the first state to do such a thing. -
Abraham Lincoln is elected as the 16th President
Lincoln vowed to abolish slavery and the United States went ahead and made him leader of our country. He was elected for the job in 1860. -
John Crittenden proposes his Compromise
From Kentucky, Crittenden proposes a compromise, which would allow Southern States to decide whether or not they wanted to enter the Union as a free or slave state. -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
South Carolina secedes from the Union and is the first state to do so, as many others followed in their footsteps. -
Control of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
Governor Francis Pickens, who worked for the Southern state, South Carolina, demanded that they free those two forts. He wanted control of the areas, and it was something he wanted integrated. -
Representatives from South Carolina withdraw
In the first sequence of South Carolina leaving the United States, their representatives drew themselves out of the Union. The dominoes began to fall after this and they eventually seceded after this. -
Lincoln opposes the Crittenden Compromise
After he did not agree with the idea, our new president put an end to the idea when he went against. Lincoln opposed it, and therefore he had the most power over our country, so the plan was never put into place. -
Mississippi secedes from the Union
Mississippi leaves the Union becoming the 2nd state to do so. They did this due to the fact that their economy was in poor shape. -
Florida secedes from the Union
Florida came shortly after Mississippi, becoming the third state to do so. There was a general trend that was ongoing in our country. -
Alabama secedes from the Union
Alabama followed suit within the southern states, and proceeded to secede from the Union. Lincoln persuaded them to finally leave when he was elected President. -
Georgia secedes from the Union
Georgia was the next state after Alabama to leave the Union. The state was for slavery and this was the deciding factor in whether or not they left the United States. -
Confederate States of America is formed
Jefferson Davis helped form this, as he was elected President. He was a High Point Graduate and a former U.S Army Officer. -
Abraham Lincoln becomes President
Lincoln becomes the 16th President of the United States. He represented the Republican Party. -
Fort Sumter is attacked, Civil War Begins
The Civil War between the North and South begins when Confederates opened fire. They took over the base that was located in Charleston, South Carolina. -
Virginia secedes from the Union
The next five weeks, Virginia is also followed by Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The confederacy that was formed had almost 4 million slaves -
Proclamation of Blockade against Southern Ports
During the time of the war, all ports in Southern parts of the United States were decided to be blocked by the President, Abraham Lincoln. The South struggles to stay supplied because of this. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Union Army was defeated at Bull Run, which was 25 miles southwest of Washington D.C. Stonewall Jackson earns his nickname during this battle. -
President Lincoln Issues General War Order
Lincoln decides to order all of the Naval and Land forces to begin general advance by February 22. This date was iconic because it was also the date of George Washington's Birthday. -
Ulysses S. Grant Captures Fort Henry
Grant started to become a fixture as an influential leader during the Civil War. Ten days later he also captured Fort Donelson and earned the nickname, "Unconditional Surrender." -
President Lincoln's Son Passes Away
The 16th President is overtaken with grief as his 11 year old son, Willie, dies from a fever abruptly. The death was said to be most likely caused by drinking polluted water that he got in the white house. -
Confederate Army Attack at Shiloh
The Union's General Ulysses S. Grant is hit with an unexpected attack at a church named Shiloh right near the Tennessee River. Close to 13,000 men from the Union Army die and 10,000 Confederates do not walk away from this battle. -
The Union Army Captures New Orleans
It takes 17 ships from the Union to take over in Louisiana, as David Farragut leads the way for them. New Orleans happens to be the South's best seaport and this is a crucial moment for the North. -
The Seven Days Battles
Robert E. Lee launches an attack on McClellan right near Richmond. The battle results in a heavy loss for both armies. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
The second battle takes place in Virginia as the Confederates are led by Stonewall Jackson, while the Federates are led by John Pope. 75,000 Federals defeated 55,000 of the Confederates. -
The Bloodiest Single Day Battle in Civil War History
The Confederate Army is stopped in Antietam, Maryland, and they are severely outnumbered. By the time night hits, over 26,000 men are dead, wounded or missing. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues an order that frees slaves in the United States. They are free to find work in the US. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
General Burnside's Army suffers a costly defeat in Virginia. There are over 14 frontal assaults during the battle. -
President Appoints Joseph Hooker as Commander of the Army
Hooker replaces Burnside, as Lincoln decides it was time for a change. This came in the form of the Commander of Army being replaced. -
General Grant is put in Charge
General Grant is ordered to be Commander of the Army in the West. They inform him that Vicksburg should be the first place he attacks. -
Congress Creates A Draft
The U.S Congress decides to enact a draft system that selects men from the age of 20 to 45 to fight in the Civil War. The only way you could be exempt is if you provided a substitute or $300. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Union Army, who is led by General Hooker, lose a crucial battle in Virginia, even though they outnumber the Confederates. Stonewall Jackson is mortally wounded in this event. -
Stonewall Jackson Dies
After being wounded in the Battle of Chancellorsville about a week before, Stonewall Jackson passes away. His last words are "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." -
Another Commander of the Army is Chosen
For the 5th time in one year, a new General is appointed for the Army. The President chooses George G. Meade, as the side is about to go into battle in Pennsylvania. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The tide starts to turn in the Civil War, as the Union defeats the Confederates in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This happens to be the most famous and influential battle in the war. -
Anti-Draft Riots
Riots break out in New York, as many still disagree about the draft process. Over 2 millions dollars of damage is caused and close to 120 people die from the violence. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Confederates earn a deserved victory in battle, and it is an important one. They leave the Union Army trapped in Chattanooga under a siege. -
Battle of Chattanooga
The Union Army ends the siege as they defeat the other side of the United States in Chattanooga. The Union is led by General Grant in this battle. -
Lincoln Appoints General Grant In Charge of all Armies
The President decides to give Grant the power to control all of the Army in the United States. -
Cold Harbor
Grant makes an errant mistake and it results in 7,000 Union Soldiers being slaughtered in just over 20 minutes. The Union Army may have seen it coming as some of the soldiers recorded in their journals that they are already dead. -
The Union misses out on Petersburg
The Union Army fails to capitalize as they miss out on a chance to capture Petersburg. As a result of this, a 9 month siege takes place after this. -
Sherman Battles in Atlanta
Sherman's forces attack the rebels, who are under the command of John B. Hood. Hood replaced Johnston as the leader of the army. -
George B. McClellan is chosen to Run Against Lincoln
The Democrats nominate McClellan to be in the Presidential Election with Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is known for all he has done for the country with his time in office. -
Sherman Captures Atlanta
Sherman led his side to a hard fought victory in Atlanta, Georgia. He telegraphs Lincoln and says, "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won." -
Union Victory in Shenandoah Valley
Cavalry General Philip H. Sheridan leads a Union side to a decisive victory. The Confederates are led by Jubal Early. -
President Lincoln is elected for his 2nd Term
Lincoln defeats Democrat George B. McClellan with 55 percent of the popular vote in the 1864 Election. Honest Abe also earned 212 out of 233 electoral votes. -
March to the Sea
After Sherman and his men tore through Atlanta's warehouses and railroad facilities, the Union side that consisted of 62,000 people began their march towards sea. Sherman shouts out, "I can make Georgia howl." -
Rebel Army is defeated in Nashville
Hood and his side is defeated in Tennessee by 55,000 Federal men from their army. The Confederate Army soon after ceases an effective fighting force. -
13th Amendment is Passed
One of the most famous Amendment was the 13th one as this famously abolished slavery for good in the United States. This is a landmark in American history as it is a very important day. -
Hampton Roads Conference
President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens in Virginia at Hampton Roads. The meeting ends in failure though, as peace is not reached between the two sides and the war continues on. -
Attack in Petersburg
Lee's Army that is based in Northern Virginia attacks the center of Grant's Forces. The attack in VA only lasts four hours. -
The Union Takes Over in Petersburg, Virgnia
Grant's forces advance and break through Lee's men in Petersburg. The Union Army takes over, and the next day they raise the Stars and Stripes. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
Lee surrenders his Confederate Army and hands them over to Ulysses S. Grant. This goes down at the village of the Appomattox Court in Virginia. -
Celebrations Begin in Washington
Lincoln and his side finally come out victorious and the celebrations begin. The people are overjoyed and they dance around the Capital of the United States. -
President Abraham Lincoln is Shot
Lincoln and his wife are attending "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater when the president is shot in the back of the head. The culprit is John Wilkes Booth, one of the most infamous men in US History. -
Abraham Lincoln Dies
The next morning Lincoln unfortunately passes away. One of the most influential Presidents in our country's existence is suddenly gone, and Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes Presidency. -
General Joseph E. Johnson Surrenders to Sherman
In Durham, North Carolina, Johnson hands himself over to General Sherman. The Confederates are now quickly being over matched by the Union Army. -
John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed
Someone is out to avenge Lincoln's death as they murder Booth at a tobacco barn in Virginia. -
First Formal Observation of Lincoln's Birthday
The first celebration for Lincoln's birthday is held in Washington D.C. Stand in President at the time, Andrew Johnson is in attendance. -
New Freedman's Bureau Bill Passed by Congress
The new bill is passed by Congress, after Johnson has taken over as President. He vetoes the bill that authorized military trial. -
Texas Repeals the Actions from Secessionist Convention
Texas decided to repeal for a number of reasons. The decision helped them in this situation. -
President Johnson Vetoes Civil Rights Act
Andrew Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866. His reason for this is that is unconstitutional. -
United States Declares a State of Peace
The US declares a state of peace exists between multiple states. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. -
Congress Purchases Ford's Theater
Congress allots $100,000 to be able to buy Ford's Theater in Washington. The site will become a museum at a future date. -
Congress Overrides President Johnson
Congress vetoes Andrew Johnson's attempt to get rid of the Civil Rights Act. The decision is unanimous. -
Congress Approves 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment is passed and this one refers to citizens of the United States. It is now easier to become a legal citizen in our country. -
Ulysses S. Grant becomes a 4-Star General
Grant is promoted by Congress in 1866. They reward him for his good work in the Civil War, and he ranks up in the US Army. -
Secret Service Begins Investigation into Ku Klux Klan
The KKK is starting to form in our country, and this presents itself as a problem immediately. The Secret Service begins an investigation into the problem at hand. -
Ohio Ratifies 14th Amendment
Ohio is one of the first states to support the new amendment, as they give their support. -
Kentucky Rejects 14th Amendment
Kentucky, on the other hand, rejects the new idea from Congress. They do not support the amendment, and this shows as they reject it. -
African Americans in Washington Gain the Right to Vote
Blacks gain the right to vote in Washington D.C. The bill is passed with President Andrew Johnson's veto. -
Nebraska Becomes a State
Nebraska becomes a part of the United States, as they are voted in as a state. The vote happens in March of that year. -
The Tenure Office Act
Congress passes this act and it makes an immediate impact in our country. This denies the right to remove officials who had been appointed with the consent of Congress. -
Virginia Rejects Votes from African Americans
After all races seemed to be equal in the United States, Virginia sends out shock waves and refuses votes from blacks in their state. This is unjust and is not taken well. -
Massachusetts Ratifies the 14th Amendment
Massachusetts becomes another state who is in support of the 14th Amendment. This will help them later on down the line as they become part of the Union. -
Congress Admits Certain States into the Union
Only states who ratified the 14th Amendment earn entry to the Union, and there are 7 of them. These include Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. -
Grant is Promoted to Secretary of War
Ulysses S. Grant becomes the Secretary of War in our country. This is due in part to his leadership actions during the Civil War. -
Russia Hands over Alaska
Alaska finally becomes a part of our country, as it formerly belonged to Russia. Only 2 miles of ocean separate the two areas, and they hand the place over to us. It does not become a state until later on.
