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Abraham Lincoln is elected president of the United States
Lincoln becomes the sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln was a Republican. His victory led to the secession of the Southern States. -
Jefferson Davis elected president of the Confederate States
Davis was born in Kentucky in 1808. He attended West Point Academy in 1828. Davis elected for a six year term. Alexander Stephens was elected vice president. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Confederate General Beauregard attacked For Sumter, controlled by the Union. This marked the beginning of the U.S. civil war. -
President Lincoln orders a blockade on the Confederate States
The bloacked was put in effect in order to prevent export of cotton and also to stop the transportation of weapons. -
Robert E Lee is appointed commander of the military in Virginia
Lee refused to turn against his people and his hometown, this led him to join the Confederate States, -
The First Battle of Bull Run
The Union Army marched against the Confederate Army. This battle was aimed to crush the Confederate Army and occupy their capital: Richmond. Resulted in Confederate victory. -
George B McClellan becomes the Commander of the Department of the Potomac.
President Abraham Lincoln appoints McClellan as the Commander, replacing Irving McDowell. -
The Battle of Shiloh
Confederate Troops attacked Union Troops at Shiloh, Tennessee. There were about 24,000 casualties in this battle, the Union army was nearly defeated but they were able to survive the assault. -
Confederacy passes conscription act
In order to acquire more men for the army, the Confederacy supported compulsory enlistment. -
The Second Battle of Bull Run
Approximately 75,000 Union troops Under General Poe faced about 55,000 Confederate Troops under the command of General Stonewall Jackson. The Union Army was forced to retreat once again. General Pope was dismissed. -
Seven Days' Battles
From May 16, 1862 to July 6, 1962 there were numerous battles between Confederate General Lee and Union General McClellan. Lee overpowered McClellan, forcing the Union to retreat. -
The Battle of Seven Pines
The Confederate Army attacked the Union army at Seven Pines, Virginia. The Confederate Army had an advantage at first but eventually the union recovered and the result was inconclusive. -
General Henry Halleck was appointed Commander of the Union Army
After suffering several defeats, the Union needed a new general. -
Antietam
Confederate army led by General Lee was attacked by superior Union forces under General McClellan. The union Army was almost twice as big as the confederate army. Therer were aboout 87,000 Union troops against 47,000 Confederate troops. Despite this, the Confederates fought ruthlessly. The end of this battle came on the 18th of September, 1862. With approximately 23,000 casualties from both sides, this was considered the bloodiest day in the war. -
President Lincoln issues the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
. . . on the first day of January . . . all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." President Abraham Lincoln, preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, September 22, 1862 -
Battle of Perryville
This event occurred at Boyle County, Kentucky. The Main figures in this battle were: General Don Carlos Buell from the Union, and General Braxton Bragg from the Confederacy. The Confederate Army advanced in an effort to control Kentucky; they were met with resistance from the Union Army. The Union army exhausted General Bragg and his troops, forcing them to retreat. The Union managed to control Kentucky. In total, there were about 7,000 casualties from both sides. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
This battle was one of the biggest battles of the civil war. About 180,000 soldiers participated in this battle. Union General Burnside faced Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. The Confederates held key positions that allowed tem to use more artillery power against the Union. This led to the high number of casualties for the Union since the waves of Union troops were killed by artillery. The casualties for the Union were about 13,000, for the Confederates only 4,500. Confederate victory. -
President Lincoln Issues the final Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation declared: "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." This document also announced the acceptance of back soldiers in the Union Army. -
U.S. Congress passes the Conscription Act
This act called for all able-bodied males between the ages of 20 and 45 had to enlist for three years. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
This battle lasted from April 30 to May 6, 1863. This event took place at Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Union General Hooker was attacked by Confederates at the Rappahannock River. Confederate General Lee split his army into three parts, overwhelming and defeating the Union Army. The casualties totaled about 30,000. The Union Army had approximately 17,000 casualties from the total 97,000 in this battle while the Confederacy totaled about 13,000 casualties from their 57,000 soldiers. -
General Stonewall Jackson dies
Confederate General Stonewall Jackson dies from wounds in the battle of Chancellorsville. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
After several victories, Lee sought to advance and invade the North. General Hooker was replaced by George Meade. Meade positioned his troops in a defensive formation that would protect Washington D.C. around 94,000 Union soldiers faced 72,000 Confederates. The Union was victorious in battle, using artillery to defeat the Confederates. The number of casualties in this battle: 51,000. This was the turning point of the Civil War. -
Battle of Chickamauga
This battle lasted for three days. Union and Confederate troops clashed at Chickamauga, near Tennessee and Georgia. Union General William Rosecrans sought to drive Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops out of Tennessee; however, the Confederate Army proved to be tenacious. Braxton and his 65,000 soldiers defeated Rosecrans and the 60,000 Union troops. Total casualties in this battle were about 16,000 from the Union and 18,000 Confederates. -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address to honor the fallen soldiers at the Battle of Gettysburg and to emphasize human equality. Lincoln saw the war as a struggle to preserve freedom and democracy. Lincoln stated: government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -
Battle of Chattanooga
This battle lasted from November 23, to November 25, 1863. After his victory at Chickamauga, General Braxton Bragg advanced to Chattanooga, looking for another victory. General Bragg positioned his troops and cut off the Union supply line. The Union General during this battle was Ulysses Grant. Grant was able to set up a line to transport food to Chattanooga. Grant’s strategies proved to be successful, as the Union defeated the Confederates and provided a key location for a counterattack. -
Ulysses Grant becomes the Geeral in Chief of all Union Armies
After successful campaigns, General Grant takes charge of all Union Armies. -
Battle of the Wilderness
This battle lasted three days, from May5 through May 7, 1864. This is the first battle in which General Ulysses Grant fights against General Robert E Lee. Around 101,000 Union troops fought 61,000 Confederates. The Union Army suffered 18,000 casualties while the Confederacy suffered 11,000. The battle was inconclusive. Despite the losses, General Grant decided to march on. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
General Grant faced General Lee. The location of this event was Richmond, Virginia. The Union Army attacked with little success, as Richmond was well defended. The Confederacy only lost 2,500, while the Union suffered 13,000 casualties. The Confederates prevailed. -
Assault of Petersburg
June15-June18, 1864. Petersburg, Virginia.After the defeat at the Cold Harbor, General Grant decided to attack Petersburg, knowing it was a strategically important city. General Lee arrived and defended the city. In this battle, there were 62,000 Union forces against 42,000 Confederate forces. The Union suffered 8,100 casualties while the Confederacy suffered 3,200. -
Atlanta Captured by Union Forces
Union General Sherman is able to capture Atlanta. This was a big feat for the Union. -
Lincoln Reelected
President Lincoln is reelected despite doubts. Events like Sherman’s victory at Atlanta greatly helped Lincoln win a second term. -
Thirteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Approved
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. It was then sent to the states for ratification. -
Peace Conference
President Lincoln met Confederate vice president Alexander Stephens. There was no agreement, the war continued. -
Richmond Falls
After tow unseccesful attacks agains the Union Army at Petersburg, General Lee evacuates. The Union took control of Richmond. -
General Robert E. Lee surrenders
After four years of fighting, General Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. This event marked the end of the American Civil War. -
President Lincoln is assasinated
Lincoln attended the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theater. He was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Andrew Johnson becomes president the next day.
