The Major Events of the American Civil War

Battle of Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

http://americanhistory.about.com/od/civilwarbattles/p/cwbattle_sumt1.htm
The Union forces were commanded by Maj, Robert Anderson and the Confederate forces were commanded by Brig. Gen. Beauregard. The battle occured in In Fort Sumter, South Carolina on April 12-14, 1861. There were no casualties, the confederates claimed victory, and the bombardment of Fort Sumter was the beginning of the Civil War.

Battle of Bull Run (1st)

Jul 21, 1861

http://library.thinkquest.org/3055/netscape/battles/bullrun.html
With the Union army consisting of 28,000 men commanded by General McDowell, and the Confederate army consisting of 33,000 men commanded by General Beauregard, the first Battle of Bull Run occured. While the Union army marched towards Richmond, they ran into the Confederates coming from Manassas, Virginia, a southern base. This battle proved that it was not going to be an easy victory for either side, and was a southern victory.

Battle of Hampton Roads

Mar 8, 1862

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va008.htm
On March 9, the Union (John Worden) ironclad Monitor initiated the first engagement of ironclads in history. The two ships fought each other to a standstill, but Virginia retired. The results of this battle was inconclusive. The Confederates were lead by Lt.Catesby R. Jones.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

http://americanhistory.about.com/od/civilwarbattles/p/cwbattle_shiloh.htm
The Union was commanded by Major General Ulysses S. Grant and Major General Don Carlos Bue, while the Confederates were commanded by General Albert Sidney Johnston and General P.G.T. Beauregard. Confederate forces attacked the Union at Pittsburg Landing.On the second day of the battle, Grant launched a counterattack and the Confederates retreated to Corinth. This was a victory for the Union.

Battle of Bull Run (2nd)

Aug 29, 1862

http://www.pekin.net/pekin108/edison/projects/bullrun2.html
The Union army started with 62,000 commanded by General Pope men going into the second Battle of Bull Run. Outnumbering the Confederates with 50,000 men commanded by General Mclellan. This battle ended with a Confederate victory and was one of the most significant victories for the south.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam.html On the early morning of September 17, 1863, General Joseph Hooker's Union corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's army. This started the Battle of Antietam. This battle is known as the bloodiest day in American history. With the Union out numbering the Confederates, the Union claimed victory.

Battle of Fredricksburg

Dec 11, 1862

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va028.htm
On December 11, the Union (commanded by
Burnside) laid five pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock under their fire. On December 12th, the Federal army crossed over. On December 13, Burnside mounted a series of frontal assaults on Prospect Hill and Marye’s Heights that resulted in staggering casualties. This battle ended in a Confederate (commanded by Robert E. Lee) victory.

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h1549.html
This proclamation that Lincoln passed freed slaves only in states that had seceded from the Union. Slavery was untouched on border states. It also left out parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Most important, the freedom it promised depended upon Union military victory.

Battle of Chancellorsville

May 1, 1863

http://members.tripod.com/andrew_dehart/
this battle is known as "Lee's Greatest Victory". 30,000 Americans were either wounded or killed in this battle,but one important person was killed. Stonewall Jackson. This five day battle marked the begining of the end for the commanders of the Army of North Virginia after Stonewalls death. Joe Hooker commanded the Union

Siege of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

http://www.civilwarhome.com/siegeofvicksburg.htm
The Union, led by U.S. Grant and the Confederates were led by Pemberton. While Grant's men spent much of June digging trenches and tunnels to get closer to the confederates, the confederate army was growing. However, they were inexperienced and poorly equipped. Although Grant had a great idea to launch several mines, inside Vicksburg, food was running low and Pemberton asked his men to surrender.On morning of July 3, white flags appeared.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/pa002.htm
On the first day Confederate (Lee) forces drove the Union (George G. Meade) defenders back through the streets to Cemetery Hill. On July 3, the Confederate infantry were driven from Culp’s Hill. On July 4, Lee began withdrawing his army toward Williamsport on the Potomac River. This was an important win for the Union.

Siege of Atlanta

Sep 1, 1864

http://library.thinkquest.org/3055/graphics/battles/atlanta.html
General William T. Sherman led the North. They attacked Atlanta, Georgia. General John Bell Hood led the South. The day after the attack, the Union won the siege and occupied Atlanta which boosted the morale of the North.

Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 9, 1865

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va097.htm
General Lee (who led the Confederates) and General Grant (who led the Union) met at Appomattox Courthouse in Virbinia to talk about the surrender of the Confederecy. The confederates surrendered everything but firearms and horses. This event ended the Civil War.

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Apr 14, 1865

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln On April 14, 1865 Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John WIlkes Booth in Fords theatre in Washington. It was on Good Friday,and his assassin thought that by killing Lincoln, he would be helping the south. The south didn't like Lincoln because they thought we has trying to get rid of slavery. On January 1, 1863 he passed the Emancipation Proclamation which declared the slaves within the Confederacy, free.

Ratification of the 13th Ammendment

Dec 6, 1865

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/13th-amendment-ratified
The 13th amendment officially ended the institution of slavery. This came 8 months after the Civil War ended. When Georgia ratified it on Dec 6, slavery ceased to exist in the United States.