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Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th president of the United States. He earned 40% of the total vote, with nearly all of his votes coming from those states who wanted to abolish slavery. -
Confederate States of America is Formed.
Due to their uproar with Lincoln being elected President, many states secede to form their own union. The Confederate States consists of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Louisiana. Jefferson Davis is named president. (Pictured is the original Confederate flag) -
The Civil War Begins: Attack on Fort Sumter
At only 4:30 in the morning, the Confederates open fire on Fort Sumter; an American Fort on Confederate land in Charleston, SC. This battle lasted for 34 hours straight and one soldier died from both sides. The war had commenced. -
President Lincoln Summons Army
In an effort to combat the Confederate Army, President lincoln calls upon 75 000 militiamen to join the Union's Army to help regain control of the many Confederate States. -
Virgina Secedes From Union, Joins Confederation
Virginia, a middles state was being pulled in both directions by the two different sides of this war. At this time the South had gained there power and Virginia joined the Confederacy. This was the eighth state to join the confederacy. -
General Robert E. Lee Joins Confederate Army
General Lee resigns from his position in the United States Army as he feels as though he is betraying his home of Virginia. After leaving, he immediately reports to Richmond, VA and accepts the command of Virginia's military. -
Confederacy Continues To Grow
Two more middle states, Arkansas and Tennessee sever ties with the Union to join the Confederacy. The Confederate Army is growing numbers as every week goes by, thanks in part to the rise in states changing allegiance. -
The Confederacy Is Complete
North Carolina becomes the 11th state to join the Confederacy bringing the population up to approximately 9 million people. They are the final state to join the Confederacy and they have currently stopped growing. (Confederate States in Red) -
First Battle At Bull Run
The Union Army suffers a defeat at Bull Run in Virginia. General Irvin McDowell was leading the Union side and within a week was out of a job due to the poor performance of his army. This attack leads the Union Army to retreat to Washington, 25 miles away. -
General Ulysses S. Grant Captures Forts for Union Army
Through a lack of success for the Union Army, Gen. Grant captures Fort Henryand Fort Donelson only ten days apart from one another.Both of these are located in Tennessee and it aid the Union Army in moving South slowly. -
War Boats Are Changed Forever: The Battle of Hampton Roads
The Confederate's USS Merrimac sinks two wooden union ships at Sewell's Point in Norfolk, Virginia. This sparks a battle between the Merrimac and the Union's Monitor; who were both ironclad warships. This is the first time that two ironclad ships have battled before and it made all wooden ships obsolete. -
Surprise Attack on Shiloh
The Confederates had a surprise attack on General Grant's troops in Shiloh, tennessee. This was the bloodiest battle of all time at this point resulting in 13 000 Unioni killed and wounded, and also 10 000 Confederates killed and wounded.This was more injuries than all previous American wars put together! -
Second Battle At Bull Run
Gen. John Pope is relieved of his duties instantly after he and his 75 000 Union soldiers are defeated by Gen. Stonewall Jackson's 55 000 Confederate men. The Union army once again retreats to Washington from Bull Run. -
Bloodiest Day In American History
Gen. Robert E. Lee and his Confederate Army are stopped at Antietem in Virgina and greatly outnumbered by their Union counterparts. This results in 26 000 men to be killed, wounded or missing by nightfall.Lee retreats back to Virginia. -
President Lincoln Commences Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln begins the Emancipation Proclamation which rightfully frees all slaves living in Confederate States. This is not taken very well by whites living in those Confederate States. -
Final Emancipation Proclamation Published
President Lincoln finishes the Emancipation Proclamation, completely freeing all slaves from Confederate states. President Lincoln encourages the blacks to enlist into the Union Army changing the main goal of this war from maintaining the Union to further abolishing slavery. -
Battle at Chancellorsville: Union is Humiliated
The Union Army, led by Gen. Hooker with 130 000 men are defeated by Gen. Lee's army of only 60 000. The Union loses all confidence in Hooker as he retreats with 17 000 missing, killed or wounded. 13 000 of 60 000 Confederates are killed missing or wounded including Gen. Stonewall Jackson who is mortally wounded by his own soldier. -
The North Has Not lost Hope: Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is seen as the war's turning point by many as the North defeats the Confederate army here in Gettysburg, PA. This battle lasted three days and had the largest number of casualties compared to any other battle. With approximately 23 000 casualties coming from both armies.After a great loss of soldiers on July 3, Gen. Lee led his army's retreat back to Virginia -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln announces one of the most famous speeches in American history. He states that the site at Gettyburg will become a cemetary to honour all of the fallen soldiers from this battle and also reiterates their thoughts on the war. He states the importance of human equality and the need to maintain the Union for the rights of human equality. Citing what was written in the Declaration fo Independance 87 years prior. (Photo of Lincoln at the address) -
Mistakes at Cold Harbor
Union General Grant makes a quick and costly mistake resulting in 7 000 casualties to his army in a mere twenty minutes. This was a failed offensive against highly fortified rebels. Many of the Union soldiers had predicted this outcome including one who was killed that day and his diary entry from the day prior stated: "June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia. I was killed." -
Abraham Lincoln Re-Elected President
To no surprise, President Lincoln was re-elected earning 55% of the popular vote. He won this over Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln assures the public that he will finish what he had started and his re-election could salvage their country. -
Confederate Army of Tennessee Ceases Effectiveness
The Confederate Army is crushed at Nashville by 55 000 Union troops including many blacks under General Thomas. With the Confederate's high number of casualties in Tennessee this army is no longer a threat to the Union. -
Thirteenth Amendmant Is Created
The U.S. Congress approves the thrteenth amendment to abolish slavery. This is another huge step in the way of human equality rights in the U.S.A. The amendment is sent to all states for ratification. -
Union Forces Advance, Confederate Capital Evacuated
General Grant's Union forces break through Gen. Lee's Confederate lines in Petersburg. Lee evacuates Petersburg and the Confederate Capital, Richmond is evacuated. That night fires and looting break out by Union men in Richmond and the American flag is raised at the Confederate White House. -
The North Has Won: General Lee Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in a small town court house in Appomattox Virginia. General Grant allows the Confederates to keep hold of their weapons and animals. This sparks a gigantic celebration in Washington. -
President Lincoln Is Assassinated!
While watching a play with his wife in the Ford's Theatre, the President was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth. Doctors attend to him in a home across the street but he never regains consciousness and is pronounced dead the following morning. Booth is killed less than two weeks later. -
Remaining Confederate Forces Surrender
The few remaining Confederate Forces realize that all hope is gone and they surrender to the Union. There were over 620 000 deaths caused by the Civil War and it is finally over! 50 000 Survivors return home shortly after as amputees. -
Thirteenth Amendment Officially Ratified
The thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is finally ratified by all states and officially abolishes slavery in the United States of America. This is a proud day for people of all colour as the Civil War is complete and it's goal is complete!
