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Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown led a group of black men and abolitionists in an attempt raid on the armoury at Harpers Ferry. Everyone was either killed or captured and Brown was tried and hanged for treason. -
Abraham Lincoln elected as President
Lincoln became the first Republican to be elected as President, recieving only 40% of the vote. He believed that slavery should not be allowed in new territories but should be left uncontested in those states where it was already in place. This however did not go over well with the Southern states and tension continued to build between the Northern and Southern states. -
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The South Suceeds
After Abraham Lincoln was elected as President, the southern states suceeded as they believed the free states (those opposed to slavery), had denied them equal rights in the Union.
The states suceeded as followed;
South Carolina December 20, 1860
Mississippi - Jan. 9, 1861
Florida - Jan. 10, 1861
Alabama Jan. 11, 1861
Georgia - Jan. 19, 1861
Louisiana - January 26, 1861
Texas - March 2, 1861
Virginia - April 17, 1861
Arkansas - May 6, 1861
North Carolina - May 20, 1861
Tennessee - June 8, 1 -
Attack on Fort Sumter
President Lincoln wished to re supply Fort Sumter, which was still under federal government. The South, believed they needed to seize the fort before it received reinforcements, so, under the command of General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, they fired on General Anderson and Fort Sumter. Quickly though, Fort Sumter ran out of supplies and eventually surrendered the fort. Amazingly enough, not a single soldier was killed in the first battle of the bloodiest war in American history. -
Robert E. Lee Resigns From Union Army
Robert E. Lee declines Lincoln’s offer to become commander of the Union army, saying, “I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children.” He then goes to Virginia (who had succeeded), and accepts their offer to take control of the military and naval forces there. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Public pushed for the Union army to attack the South, regardless that troops were not properly trained yet. Under General Irvin Mcdowell, the union initially seemed to have the upper hand but lost ground when General Thomas J. Jackson “Stonewall”, came to the aid of confederate troops. Considered a Southern victory. -
General War Order No.1
Lincoln is frustrated with the inactivity of his General’s and their armies, thus he passes the General War Order No.1. This called for all naval and land forces in the Union to launch a unified attack on the Confederacy -
Battle of Shiloh
Under the command of General Albert Sidney Johnston, confederates attacked the Union army in Shiloh Tennessee. It seemed as though the Confederate’s offensive attack was going to overpower the Union army but the Union held until the next morning when they received reinforcements and was able to push them back. This two day battle was considered to be the bloodiest battle in American history at its time, with more than 23 000 casualties. -
Stonewall Defeats Union Forces
Under the command of General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, the Confederate forces attacked Union forces in Shenandoah Valley. As a result, the Union troops were forced to retreat and protect Washington, D.C. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The emancipation proclamation was put in affect in the hopes of hindering the Confederation. Lincoln believed by freeing the slaves, the Southern states could no longer use them as soldiers and labourers, thus hindering their war effort. This proclamation ultimately paved the way for the 13th amendment. -
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Battle at Chancellorsville
Under the command of General Robert E. Lee, the considerably smaller confederate force defeats those Union forces under the charge of General Hooker. Lee and Jackson’s war tactics are described as “daring” and “brilliant”. This victory at Chancellorsville is widely considered to be Lee’s greatest of the entire war. Though here General Jackson is mortally wounded by his own soldiers. -
Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson Dies
Two weeks after his own troops accidently fire on him, the South loses one of their boldest General's, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson to pneumonia. -
West Virginia Joins the Union
During the South’s succession from the North, Part of Virginia did not wish to succeed as well and thus became West Virginia. It was not until June 20th, 1863 that they became introduced to the Union. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Beginning on July 1st and lasting till July 3rd, a huge battle ensued around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Southerners were able to gain ground but were ultimately unable to defeat the Union forces. This is considered to be one of most important battles in the Civil War and by its end, involved 160 000 Americans with 51 000 casualties. This Union victory turned the tide of the war permanently against the South. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
Union General Grant, continuously attacked General Robert E. Lee and his forces, and launched another attack in June at Cold Harbour. This however proved to be a great mistake on Grant’s part, as Lee’s forces killed over 7 000 Union men in twenty minutes. Although Lee’s forces never fully recovered from Grant’s attacks and this was considered Lee’s last clear victory. Many union soldiers predicted the outcome. One sdead soldiers last entry was "June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia. I was killed" -
Siege of Petersburg
Marching from Cold Harbor, Union forces hoped to take Petersburg and then move on to approach the Confederate capital. The assault, however, failed and resulted in nearly a year long siege, where thousands of soldiers died from both sides. -
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Fall of the Confederacy
The South runs into a severe shortage of supplies and food, thus starving soldiers begins to desert and the Confederate army’s numbers severely diminish. -
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Final Surrender
Throughout April and May, remaining Confederate soldiers are forced to surrender and the Nation is once again reunited. It is estimated that over 620 000 Americans died in this four year war, and is considered to be the bloodiest war in American history. -
General LEe Surrenders
Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders his troops to Union General Grant at Appomattox court house. The soldiers were sent home on parole. -
President Lincoln is Assasinated
At 10:13 p.m., at Ford’s Theater, President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at point-blank range in the back of the head. Lincoln never regained consciousness and died the next morning at 7:22 a.m. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified. This officially ends slavery and is believed to be the single greatest change brought about by the Civil War. “"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."
