-
Lincoln Elected as President
After winning in the electoral college, Lincoln's lack of a popular majority is an indication of the problems he would face with a divided nation. -
South Carolina secedes
On news of Lincoln's election, South Carolina site of nullification fight in 1830s secedes -
Confederacy formed
Seven states form Confederacy, write their own constitution, and plan for an independent nation... -
Lincoln inaugurated
Lincoln enters Washington D.C. in disguise because of unrest. Southerners begin seizing federal posts. -
Bull Run (Manassas), 1st battle
Gen. McDowell leads men against Gen. Johnston's Southern troops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go "On to Richmond." South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray. McDowell replaced by Gen. McClellan -
Ft. Henry & Ft. Donelson
Gen. Grant captures two forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Confederates forced out of Kentucky and yield much of Tennessee -
Monitor vs. Merrimac
First ironclad battle in history ends in a draw as the Merrimac withdraws after daylong exchange of fire. Union blockade of South is maintained.... -
Emancipation Proclamation
With victory at Antietam, Lincoln announces that on 1-1-63, all slaves in the rebelling states would be free. -
Vicksburg
After a long siege, Vicksburg surrenders to Grant. All of Mississippi River is now in Union control -
Chattanooga
Reinforced with troops from the East, Grant is able to push Southern troops back and prepare for assault on Atlanta and the heart of the Confederacy -
Wilderness & Spotsylvania
Lee stops Union troops at the Wilderness, but Grant resumes march to RichmondThough suffering huge losses,Grant states "I propose to fight on this line if it takes all summer" -
Period: to
Petersburg
Grant focuses on important railroad junction and communication outside Richmond. Long siege of Petersburg begins with troops living in trenches which stretched for 50 miles -
Period: to
Atlanta to Savannah
Gen. Sherman destroys Atlanta and then sends troops on 300 mile destructive march to the sea. Railroads torn up, buildings destroyed, crops burned in an attempt to break the will of the South. -
Lincoln Dies
Lincoln gets assasinated