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Lincoln's Election
Abraham Lincoln was elected president, which made the south fear the future of slavery. It made them also think the North was against them, in a way. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina secedes from the Union, and the Confederacy is formed. The beginnings of the war are coming. -
Confederacy is Formed
The Southern states who were for slavery got together and formed the United States Confederacy, in opposition to the Union. The Civil War thus started. -
Lincoln's Firsy Inauguration
Abraham Lincoln made his oath of office here. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Around Charleston harbor, General Bauregard brought forces to ambush fort Sumter, and the garrison of that Union fort surrendered the next day. -
The 1st Battle of Manassas
Fought in Prince William County, Virginia. It was the first battle of the Civil War, and it showed that the war would not be decided quickly, and that the Union would have to fight really hard to win. It also showed people that war was not just something to sit there and watch. -
Battle of Shiloh
Fought in southwestern Tennessee. The Union forces were surprise attacked but won because of the weather and reinforcements. -
7 Days Battle
This battle took place in Richmond, Virginia, and lasted seven days long. The North tried very hard to take Richmond, but Lee's forces won and thus kept the war going for 3 more years. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
Confederate forces became very large towards the end of the battle and once again left the Union crushed. The Union barely escaped massive casualties on their side. -
Battle of Antietam
The battle took place at Washington County, Maryland, and was one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. It ultimately ended in a draw, but Abraham Lincoln took it as a victory before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Union lost 7% of the soldiers who fought at the battle of Fredericksburg in Fredericksburg, Virginia. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln declared that slavery was illegal everywhere, and that southern captured locations would have their slaves released immediately. Declared war on slavery openly. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Took place in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Lasted quite a while and was where "Stonewall" Jackson died, but was also considered Lee's best victory during all of the war. -
The Siege of Vicksburg
The end date was July 4th of the same year. Fought in Warren County, Missouri. The Confederate forces were divided significantly and the people of Vicksburg had to hide in tunnels and caves. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Fought in Gettysburg, PA. Confererates took Devil's Den and Peach Orchard. -
The Battle of Chikamauga
Braxton Bragg led forces to defeat the Union, even though the Union has the advantage in the battle. Highest losses of the Western theatre in the war. Catoosa and Walker County, Georgia was the location. -
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln gave a speech that would be seen as one of the greatest in American history. Defined the war as a struggle to keep the Union together. The speech was only a little over two minutes long. -
Battle of Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN. Braxton Bragg surround the Union forces at Chattanooga and cut off their supply lines. -
Battle of Stones River
Took place in Rutherford County, TN. Though it looked as though Bragg's Confederate forces were going to win, the Union's reinforcements helped them pull back a victory. -
Battle of The Wilderness
Took place in Orange and Spotsylvania Counties, Virginia. The battle was very bloody and took place over the span of a few days, ending in a stalemate. The Union forces continued to the south after the battle. -
Battle of Spotsylvania
Spotsylvania, Virginia. The Union forces tried to capture Spotsylvania Courthouse but were met by Lee's forces. The two fought for two weeks. -
Lincoln is Reelected
Lincoln is reelected, despite many doubts. He himself did not expect to be reelected, but this meant the Union cause would be strengthened. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
William T. Sherman led 60,000 forces in a march to the sea that lasted for 6 days, and the significance was that it frightened those in the Confederate cause. Ended on the 21st of November that same year. -
Battle of Franklin
This battle took place in Franklin, TN. The Union forces only had to defend the city, and the Confederacy was divided and distracted. The Union won and only suffered minor casualties in the trenches. -
Lincoln's Second Inauguration
President Lincoln gave his second inaugural address and issued the emancipation proclamation, proclaming that slavery be outlawed. -
Surrender at Appomattox Court
Lee met with others at Appomattox courthouse and surrendered to the Union in defeat. Ended the efforst of the Confederacy in the war. -
Lincoln's Assassination
President Lincoln was shot at Fords Theatre by John Wilkes Boothe. This made many people sad in the North, but a lot of people who were originally a part of the Confederacy might have been happy. -
Official End of The Civil War
This is when the last battle was fought. Although Lee surrendered at Appomattox courthouse on April 9th of that same year, news must not have spread to all until after this final battle.
