The Civil War

The Missouri Compromise

1820

The legislation that declared Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state, in an attempt to maintain the balance between slave and non-slave states.

Bleeding Kansas

1854

A series of violent civilian battles in Kansas as abolitionists and pro-slavery people fled to Kansas in an attempt to affect the decision of whether or not it would be a free or slave state. John Brown led the abolitionists.

Lincoln's Election

Nov 6, 1860

The election of Abraham Lincoln took place on November 6th, 1860. Lincoln beat out Douglas of the democratic party. This election is said to be one of the catalysts for the Civil War.

Secession

1861

Immediately after Lincoln is elected, Southern states including South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas, secede from the United States, and form the Confederate States of America

Fort Sumpter

Apr 12, 1861

The siege and surrender of Fort Sumter by General Beauregard is marked as the official start of the Civil War.

Battle of Philippi

Jun 3, 1861

The first land battle of the Civil War. Won by the Union, led by Colonel Benjamin Kelley against Colonel George Porterfeild. While this battle was the first battle of the Civil War, other than that it has close to no significance. There were no fatalities, and there was less than 10 casualties on both the Union and Confederate sides.

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

Led by Union General McDowell and Confederate General Beauregard, this was an important battle of the Civil War. It was the first major land battle of the Civil War, and was won by the Confederacy. After they had been fighting defensively most of the day, the Confederacy turned to offensive, and broke the Union's right flank. This sent the Union retreating back to Washington.

Battle of Port Royal

Nov 7, 1861

Fought by Union General Samuel F. Du Pont and Confederate General Thomas F. Drayton, this one of the earliest amphibious operations of The Civil War. The Union won the battle in a matter of hours, with heavy artillery and war ships that the Confederate ships didn't stand a chance against.

Battle of Fort Henry

Feb 6, 1862

This was the first significant Union victory in the Civil War. Union General Grant and Commodore Foot attacked the lightly defended fort with a fierce naval force, forcing Confederate Brigadier Tilghman to evacuate his troops and surrender.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

One of the first major early engagements of the Civil War, the battle was started when Confederate forces surprise attacked the Union force that was being led by General Ulysses S. Grant. But, even after the confederacy's beginning victories, they were unable to hold their position and surrendered. The total casualties of this battle were heavy, with over 23,000 combined.

Second Battle of Bull Run

Aug 28, 1862

This battle lasted until August 30th 1862, and was led by Union leader John Pope and Confederates General Lee and and George McClellan's Army of the Potomac, as well as General "Stonewall" Jackson. Ultimately, the Union forces were heavily outnumbered, forcing Pope to retreat.

Harpers Ferry

Sep 12, 1862

While General Lee invaded Maryland, Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson surrounded, bombarded, and ultimately seized the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

The Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Fought between Union General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac and Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, this was the one of the bloodiest days of the Civil War. A combined total of almost 23,000 dead, injured, or missing. The Union was victorious.

Battle of Fredericksberg

Dec 13, 1862

This was the largest battle of the Civil War, with a total of 200,000 combatants. Confederate Commander Burnside's army of more than 120,000 to attack Union General Lee's 80,000 strong army from both the left and right. The Confederacy won, and Union morale seemed to plummet.

The Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

President Lincoln released the Emancipation Proclamation, stating that anyone held as a slave was freed.

Battle of Chancellorsville

Apr 30, 1863

Thought to be Confederate General Lee's greatest victory. His army was outnumbered 2:1, but he surprised the Union General Hooker by splitting his army into two, and General Hooker took the defensive side. General Lee split his army into two once again and attacked, General Hooker was forced to retreat,

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

The Union force was led by General George Meade, who's army defeated attacks of the Confederate soldiers led by General Robert Lee, bringing the Confederate invasion of the North to a halt.

Battle of Nashville

Dec 15, 1864

Fought by Union General George Thomas and Confederate General Hood. The Union army swarmed the Confederate trenches around Nashville, almost completely destroying the once powerful offensive Confederate army and resulting in a major victory for the Union.

General Lee Surrenders

Apr 9, 1865

In the Appomattox Court House in Virginia, Confederate General Lee surrenders his army to Union General Grant, ending the Civil War.

Lincoln's Assassination

Apr 14, 1865

John Wilkes Booth, famous actor and confederate sympathizer, fatally shot Lincoln in the head at the Ford's theater in Washington D.C.