The American Civil War

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

Fort Sumter needed supplies and Lincoln was going to send troop to resupply. The South didn't want the North anywhere near them so the south invades the fort while it was weak. This marks the beginning of the civil war.

First Battle at Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

Lincoln orders an invasion on Virginia to take control of the rebel capital. The fighting breaks out near a river named Bull Run. The Confederacy wins the battle and this causes the North to take the South serious.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

The North gets hold of plans that the south has to invade Antietam Creek. McClellan and Lee's armies clash until nightfall. There is no winner and the South retreats. There were 22,717 dead, wounded, or missing on both sides. It is known as the single bloodiest day in American History.

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

Many people in the North were encouraging Lincoln to free slaves, but he hesitated. After the battle of Antietam Lincoln decides to sign this bill saying that all slaves in the south were now free, and during battle slaves could escape to the north.

Formation of the 54th Mass

Mar 13, 1863

This was an Infantry regiment that helped the union army during the civil war. It was around 1,100 men in size and helped out in many major battles.

Defeat of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

This is a Union win battle. This is a very important win because it helped to fulfill the anaconda plan. This victory gave the union control over the Mississippi river and split the Confederacy in two.

The Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

The Confederates and Union clash at Gettysburg and is known as the turning point of the war. The Union comes out victorious and forced General Lee to withdraw.

New York City Draft Riots

Jul 11, 1863

The need for more soldiers in the North is increasing so to resolve it they make a draft that will force all able people over the age of 18 to fight in the war. This makes people in the North angry and they start to protest and riot.

Sherman's March to the Sea

Nov 15, 1863

This was a military program for the Union army to get back in shape during the civil war.

Gettysburg Address

Nov 19, 1863

This is one of the most well known speeches in American history. It was given by Abraham Lincoln during the civil war in dedication of the cemetery of all the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg. In the two minute speech he tells that human equality and freedom has been restored.

Congress Passes the 13th Amendment

Jan 31, 1865

The 13th Amendment freed all of the slaves and said that nobody is forced to do free labor unless incarcerated,

Creation of Freedman's Bureau

Mar 3, 1865

This bill was singed by president Lincoln. This billed helped the newly freed slaves to help them get a fair chance at life. It provided health care, education, and redistributed abandoned to all new free slaves.

Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 9, 1865

This event officially marks the end of the civil war. General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant and his army. The Union Army wins the civil war against the Confederates.

Assassination Of Abraham Lincoln

Apr 14, 1865

This was a last resort plan by a group of Southerners to try and collapse the Union Government and win the war. The killer of Lincoln and leader of the plan was a well known actor named John Wilkes Booth. He also had plans to kill other law officials, but this failed and he was killed by the Union Army

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

This amendment gave citizenship to all newly freed slaves. This also gave them the right to vote.

15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

The South tried to stop newly freed slaves from voting, so congress passed the 15th amendment. This amendment says that the states cannot stop a citizen from voting no matter what.