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The US Civil War
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Pemberton Mill Collapses
This was a very bad industrial accident that left 120 people dead in Massachusettes. The cause was faulty iron pillars that held up the floors. -
Lincoln Gives Speech At The Cooper Institute
This speech was given in New York at the Cooper Institute. Abraham Lincoln mainly attacked slavery in this speech. -
Pony Express Begins
This was the idea of a fast mail service that went throughout the midwest and western states. -
Lincoln's Election of 1860
Lincoln wins election by 180 electoral votes and beats the popular Southern candidate, Stephen Douglas. HIs win makes Southern states very angry, and fear that slavery would be immediately taken away as soon as Lincoln was in office. -
Howell Cobb Resigns As Secretary of Treasury
Howell Cobb does not agree with the election of Abraham Lincoln, so he resigns from Secretary of Treasury. In addition he urges Georgia to seced from the Union as well. -
Crittenden Compromise
This compromise was made so that the Northern states could see why the Southern states were contaimplating seccession and try to work it out so it wouldn't happen. -
Lincoln Writes A Letter To Stephens
Lincoln, aware of the hostility toward the North in the South, writes Alexander Stephens, a popular man in the South. In the letter Lincoln explains that he will not stop slavery in the South. Stephens therefore opposes seccession. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina is the first Southern state to secede from the Union, only a month after Lincoln's election. -
Transfer of Troops to Fort Sumter
Robert Anderson transfers his troops from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. People living in South Carolina take this as the North preparing for war. -
President Buchanan Says Fort Sumter Will Be Defended
President Buchanan annouces that if Fort Sumter is attcked it will be defended by the government. He proceeds to send shipps over with supplies. -
Mississippi Secedes from the Union
Mississippi secedes from the Union only two months after Lincoln's election. It is the second state to secede. -
Florida Secedes from the Union
Florida is the third state to secede from the Union. It follows only five days after Mississippi's secession. -
Alabama Secedes from the Union
Alabama is the fourth state to secede from the Union. It follows Florida only a day after it's seccession. -
Georgia Secedes from the Union
Georgia is the fifth state to secede form the Union. It follows Alabama, eight days after their seccession. -
Louisiana Secedes from the Union
Louisiana is the sixth state to secede from the Union. It follows Georgia, only seven days after their seccession. -
Jefferson Davis is Inaugurated
Jefferson Davis, related to Mexican War hero General Zachary Taylor, was elected and inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America. Up until this point only six states are apart of the Confederacy, but more will soon join them. -
Texas Secedes from the Union
Texas is the seventh state to secede from the Union. It follows Louisiana, about a month after their own secession. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
Lincoln is inaugurated, and is now the official president of the United Staes of America. Major Anderson also sends his plea for help at Fort Sumter on this day. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Major Anderson sends Lincoln a message on his inauguration day, March 4, 1861, saying that he needs weapons and food. Lincoln only sneds food and forces Jefferson Davis to be the aggresor, and he declares war and April 12, 1861, and begins firing on the fort. No one dies, but 4,000 rounds are fired. -
Robert E. Lee Declines Offer to Lead the Union Army
Abraham Lincoln offers Robert E. Lee the offer to lead the Union Army in the Civil War. However, after Virginia, his home state, secedes from the Union he says he will never go against his land, even though he very much opposed slavery. -
Arkansas Secedes from the Union
Arkansas is the eighth state to secede from the Union. It follows Texas, three months after their own seccession. -
Tennessee Secedes from the Union
Tennessee is the ninth state to secede from the Union. It follows Arkansas, only a day after there own seccession. -
North Carolina Secedes from the Union
North Carolina is the tenth state to secede from the Union. It follows Tennessee, only two weeks after their own seccession. -
Virginia Secedes from the Union
Virginia is the eleventh, and last state to secede from the Union. It follows North Carolina, only two days after their own seccession. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
This is the first battle of the Civil War and takes place 25 miles outside of Washington D.C. in Manassas, Virginia. It takes place 3 months after Fort Sumter. Union troops are very unorganizied. It is here that General Thomas Jackson earns his nickname 'Stonewall Jackson'. Union troops end up retreating and rebels win, which boosts there morale. -
West Virginia Secedes from Virginia
West Virginia secedes from Virginia and joins the Union. It did not agree with the seccesion from the Union in the first place. -
First Workable Machine Gun
Richard Gatling produced the first workable, hand-cranked machine gun. This was used in the Civil War. -
Battle of Fort Henry
General Ulysses S. Grant invades Tenessee. With the help of two ironclad boats he recieves the surrender of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. -
Battle of Fort Donelson
Within 11 days after the surrender of Fort Henry, Ulysses S. Grant captures another Fort, Fort Donelson, this time on the Cumberland River. It is after the Capture of these two forts that he earnes his nickname, 'Unconditional Surrender'. -
Abraham Lincoln's Son, William Dies
Abraham Lincoln is struck with grief in the middle of the Civil War by the death of his son, William. William died due to the probability of polluted water within the White House. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate forces attacked the Union army who were encamped at the small Shiloh church. The Union was very suprised and there was a bloody battle that followed. But the next day Union reinforcements arrived and that led to the retreat of the Confederates, and a Union victory. -
David Farragut Captures New Orleans
David Farragut moves up the Mississippi River with his command of 17 Union ships, and succeeds in taking New Orleans. This is a huge defeat for the Confederacy, seeing as New Orleans is their biggest sea port. -
Battle of Seven Pines
During this battle General George McClellan's troops are nearly all defeated, but the General of the Confederate army, Joseph E. Johnston is badly wounded. -
Battle of Seven Days
During this battle General Robert E. Lee attacked General George McClellan, and as a result both armies lost many men. McClellan retreats as a result. The battle ends July 1, 1862. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
In this battle the Union army of 75,000 is defeated by the Confederates, but their army only consists of about 55,000. The Union army also retreated for a second time to Washington D.C. It ends on August 30, 1862. -
Battle of Harper's Ferry
SInce Harper's Ferry was located at the confluence of two rivers, Potomac and Shenandoah, that were very important to the Union's Anaconda Plan, naturally the Confederates wanted control of it. The Union was outnumbered, but was told to defend it with all they had. Unfortunately they could not beat the power of the Confederates and had to surrender on September 15, 1862. -
Battle of Antietam
This battle was the bloodiest single day battle of the entire Civil War. By the end of the day 26,000 are dead, wounded, or missing. General Robert E. Lee retreats to Virginia. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
During this battle General Robert E. Lee showed off his military skills and took on the Union army which was twice the Confederates size. It was a suprising victory for the South, but General Thomas Jackson was shot and wounded here and died eight days later. The casualties for the Confederates were about 12,800. The Union had lost 17,000. The battle ended May 4, 1863. -
General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson Dies
General Stonewall Jackson dies from a wounded that he suffered from the Battle of Chacellorsville. This is a great upset for the Confederates and brings down their morale considerably. General Robert E. Lee is especially upsetbecause he lost his friend and right hand man. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Ulysses S. Grant began the siege of Vicksburg. He neede to secure Mississippi, because the area was important along the Mississippi River. He sends the Calvary to destroy the rail lines and distract the Confederacy from oncoming troops. They shells Vicksburg for several days. The Towns people and Southern troops are short on supplies and starving to death. They begin eating squirrels, rats, and even dogs. The Southern troops surrender on July 3, 1863. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This was a three day long battle, and one of the bloodiest battles, if not the bloodiest battle of the war. The casualties for Confederates were anywhere from 20,000 to 28,000. The Union casualties were over 23,000. This battle resulted in the most loss of life then any other battle in the war. Robert E. Lee thought he could win it, but the Union had this victory. This battle ended on July 3, 1863. -
Anti-Draft Riots Take Place
From July 13th to July 16th of 1863 anti-draft riots take place in New York. These riots including arson and the murders of many blacks. At least 120 people, including children, are killed. A lot of damage is caused. -
President Lincoln Meets Fredrick Douglass
President meets with Fredrick Douglass at the White House. Douglass is a active abolitionist that is trying to push for full equality of black men fighting within the Union army. -
First Successful Submarine Arrives In Charleston
After much work and effort, the first successful submarine ever built, the Hunley, arrived in Charleston, South Carolina. Many trial runs showed that the Hunley was very destructive, and could possibly be the turning point of the war for the Confederates. -
Battle of Chickamauga
This battle was a Confederate victory, but left the Union troops under the command of General William S. Rosecrans trapped at Chattanooga. This battle ended on September 20, 1863. -
Lincoln Delivers the Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address dedicated the field that the Battle of Gettysburg was fought on to the fallen soldiers from both sides that fought in that battle. He declared it as a National Cementary. It was four months after the Battle of Gettysburg took place. -
The Siege at Chattanooga Ends
The Union army, under the comand of General Ulysses S. Grant, defeats the Confederates in charge of the siege. During this battle, the Union soldiers in the siege charged the Confederates and began yelling "Chickamauga!" to avenge their previous defeat. The battle ended on November 25, 1863. -
Lincoln Places Grant as Commander of All US Armies
Since Grant is such a good military leader, and Lincoln has been having trouble with his leaders, he gives Grant the permission to be in charge of all Us Armies. This now puts William T. Sherman in Grant's former position as commander of the troops in the west. -
Grant Starts for Richmond
Grant starts heading toward Richmond, the Confederate capitol, with 120,000 Union troops. They are advancing on Lee's troops of 64,000. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
This battle is a big loss for the Union. A mistake made by Grant leaves the Union with 7,000 casualties within the first twenty minutes of fighting. -
Petersburg Siege Begins
General Grant misses the opportunity to capture Petersburg, so instead he be begins a nine month long siege. Lee's forces are now surronded. -
Democrats Nominate McClellan
Democrats nominate George McClellan, former General for the Union army. He was fired by Lincoln and does not pass up the chance to run against him in the 1864 election. -
Sherman Captures Atlanta
This was a great victory for the North. This capture helped extremely for the re-election campaign of Abraham Lincoln. -
Nevada Becomes a State
Nevada is also known as 'The Battle Born' state because it was made a state during the Civil War. -
Lincoln Is Re-Elected
Abraham Lincoln is re-elected for a second term. He defeats his opponent and former General in the Union army, George McClellan. He wins by a landslide. -
Sherman's March To The Sea
After taking Atlanta, Georgia, General Sherman started marching to the coast and left a wide path of destruction in his path. he ended the march at Savannah, Georgia, when he turns north to help Grant. He is followed by 2,500 slaves. -
Sand Creek Massacre
An army of 700 men went into a friendly Indian encampment and destroyed their village. They murdered about 70-163 Indians and two-thirds were women and children. The area is now a National Historic Site. -
13th Amendment Is Approved
This amendement is approved by Congress. It abolishes slavery if ratified by the states. -
Peace Conference Takes Place
Pecae Conference takes place between Lincoln and the Vice President of the Confederate States of America. The meeting does not work out, however, and the war still goes on. -
Lee Tries to Fight Back
As a last ditch effort, Lee and his troops who are being held fight back against Grant and his forces. The little battle ends within four hours. -
Richmond Is Evacuated and Captured
People begin to become nervous with Union troops so close, so they evacuate Richmond, VA. Looting begins within the city and many fires break out. The next day Grant and his troops arrive and raise the flag. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
General Lee and General Grant meet at the Appomattox Court House to draw terms of surrender. Generous terms are offered to Lee at President Lincoln's request. All remaining resistance stop within one month. -
Washington Celebrates
In Washington D.C. celebrations are seen throughout the city by people celebrating the end of the war where brother was against brother. -
Lincoln's Assassination
President Lincoln was at Ford' Theater with his wife when John Wilkes Booth came and shot him. He survived until the next day, April 15, 1865, when he died at the hospital with his wife beside him. -
John Wilkes Booth Dies of a Gunshot Wound
After assasinating Lincoln, Wilkes believed he would be hailed a hero in the South and ran for refuge there. But he was wrong, they were just as mad as the North. After meeting up with his co-conspirator and hiding in a barn for several days, the army found him. They set the barn on fire and Wilkes made a desperate charge out, only to be shot by a soldier who disobeyed his orders in keeping Wilkes alive. He stayed alive for several hours before finally dying. -
Lincoln Is Buried
Lincoln is buried at Oak Ridge Cementary outside of Springfield Illinois. -
Slavery is Abolished
Union states ratify the 13th amendment and is approved by Congress. Slavery is finally bolished -
First Formal Observation of Lincoln's Birthday
The first formal observation of Abraham Lincoln's birthday is held at the White House. President Andrew Johnson goes. -
Jesse James' First Robbery
Jesse James and his brother preform their first robbery at the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri. -
Congress Buys Ford's Theater
Congress decides to buy Ford's Theater, where President Abraham Lincoln was assainated only a year earlier. They buy it due to it's historical significance in history. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1866
This act protects the civil rights of African Americans in America after slavery is abolished. -
Cholera Epidemic
A Cholera Epidemic begins in New York when an infected passenger arrives there. -
Winfield Scott Dies
He lived to the age of 80, and participated in government by helping every President from Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln. -
Fourteenth Amendment Is Ratified
This amendment was made to protect the rights of African AMerican citizens. -
Secret Service Begins Investigation Into KKK
Due to the violence within the Klu Klux Klan and their actions toward African Americans in the South, the Secret Service begins an investigation looking into the Klu Klux Klan. -
A Proclamation of Peace With Texas
This proclamation of peace between Texas and the United State is offered by President Andrew Johnson. -
Klu Klux Klan is Formed
This group was formed to keep blacks in the South from voting now that they had the right to do so. This group, however, was based entirely on violence. -
African American Males Granted the Right to Vote
African Americans are finally granted the right to vote. This was a direct order from Washington D.C. -
Laura Ingalls Wilder is Born
The writer of the auto-biography series 'Little House on the Prarie' is born. This will later become a television series. -
Congress Passes the Reconstruction Act
This act declared that state governments created under Lincoln and Johnson were invalid. It also said that no Southern state could re-enter the Union until they approved the Fourteenth Amendment and gave the vote to African American men. -
US Department of Education Created
The US Congress creates the Department of Eduaction so that it can collect information about schools and how the students are taught. This way Congress could make better school systems within the US. -
Tenure of Office Act
This restricted the power of the President. Originally only the President can remove certain office-holders. With this act the President could not remove them without the approval of the Senate. -
Lincoln Memorial is Approved by Congress
Congress approves the bill to create a Lincoln Memorial in honor of the 16th President of the United States. Unfortunately it is not built until the 1900's. -
William Seward Purchases Alaska
Secratary of State, William H. Seward decides to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars. It became a US territory. -
Russia Hands Over Alaska
Even though Alaska was already bought from Russia by the United States in March, it was not officially handed over until October 18, 1867.
