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United States Civil War
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Second Pre-Emption Bill Passed
This bill, introduced by Stephen Douglas, allowed for a first come, first serve policy with regards to land. Whoever staked the land first had right of ownership to it. This, was used as a way to resolve many land disputes. -
Jefferson Davis Speaks Out For Secession
On this day, Jefferson Davis, for the first time, advocated Confederate secession. Until this point, secession had never been officially broached in any meaningful manner. Due to this act of bold defiance, Davis would be delcared the Confederacy's first and only President. -
Abraham Lincoln Makes Cooper Union Speech
On this day, Abraham Lincoln made his famous Cooper Union speech. Many have argued this earned him the presidency, due to his elequency and passion. In it, he declared his disapproval of slavery and that the Founding Fathers would agree with him. -
Pony Express Established
This mail sevice was first established in Sacremento, California on this day. It went from there to St. Joseph, Missouri and was a fast mail system based on transmitting messages on horseback. It would survive until October of 1861, when the more efficient telegraph would overtake it. -
Thomas Jackson Assigned To Harper's Ferry
Thomas Jackson, who would later become renowned Southern General "Stonewall" Jackson, was assigned to command Harper's Ferry. He would control Virginia's tropps there. At the time, he was only a colonel. -
Abraham Lincoln Nominated For President
On this day, future President Abraham Lincoln was nominated for said position. He was sponsered by the Republican Party, who shared his anti-slavery ideals. He would end up facing against Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell for the position. -
Stephen Douglas Chosen As Democratic Nominee
On June 18th, the Democrats met in Baltimore to determine their prospective canidate. It wasn't until the 23rd when those who ahd prevented Douglas from reaching a 2/3rd majority had left that he was able to be nominated. He would go on to lose the election, although he gained a large amount of the popular vote, if not the majority. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected 16th President Of The Union
Abraham Lincoln is inaguarted as President despite Southern resistance. He had attained 39% of the popular vote and 59% of the electoral vote. He was also the first President to be elected of his party, the Republican Party. -
Crittenden Compromise Refused
Kentucky Senator John J. Crittenden attempted a compromise to prevent secession through a bill he introduced called The Crittenden Compromise. It would permanantly allow southern states slaves and expand the line to give the slave states more territory. Southerners were in favor, but the bill was killed by the Republican Party, led by leader Abraham Lincoln. -
South Carolina Is 1st State To Secede From Union
South Carolina, the first of an eventual 8 states to do so, seceded from the Union on this day. They were angered by the election of Abraham Lincoln, and, feeling they had no power, felt the only chance they had at saving themselves was by forming their own country with their southern bretheren. -
Confederate States Of America Officially Formed
The Confederate States Of America is officially formed on this day. Jefferson Davis is declared it's first President. At this time, it is composed of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. -
Abraham Lincoln Sworn In
Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as the 16th Presaident Of The United States Of America on this day. Despite Southern protests and the sucession following his election, it went on unhindred. This, in turn, solidified the Confederate alliance. -
Confederates Fire At Fort Sumter, Civil War Begins
On this day, Confederates opened fire on the Union occupied Fort Sumter. Led by General Pierre Beauregard, the rebels would capture the fort. This was the decleration of America's Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln Amasses Navel Blockade
Due to the beginning of the war, Lincoln issued a navel blockade on Southern Ports. This, in turn, would follow the Anaconda Plan, effectively cutting a large portion of their supply lines. The blockade would last the who war. -
Lee Rejects Union, Embraces Confederacy
On this day famed general Robert E. Lee handed in his resignation letter to the union army. He refused to fight against the south due to it being his birthplac e and home. Soon after, he accepted command of the Virginian Confederacy forces. -
Battle Of Philippi Occurs
In Philippi, Virginia the first land-based battle of the Civil War occurs. Despite this, it had little casualties due to a quick Confederate retreat. The total casualties would only end up being 17. -
West Virginia Is Born
On this day, residents in the western portion of Virginia, who did not want to secede, formed their own state. Through this desire West Virginia was born. They would not secede, and would fight for the Union in the Civil War. -
Union Loses First Battle At Bull Run
The first official battle of the American Civil War, The Battle Of bull Run, occured on this day. In it, General Thomas Jackson will earn the nickname "Stonewall Jackson" due to his resolute defense of the base. At the end, Union General Iwrin McDowell and his force are forced to retreat to Washington, D.C, the Union capital. -
Irwin McDowell Replaced As Potomac Commander By George McClellan
On July 27th, 1861 George McClellan was chosen to replace McDowell as Potomac Commander. This was shortly after McDowell lost at the First Battle of Bull Run. McClellan would lead the army until he would eventually be replaced in 1862, just like his predeccesor. -
Battle Of Port Royal Results In Union Advantage
On this day, the Battle Of Port Roual occured, between the Union's navy and Confederacy's land-based troops. This would end in a Union victory. This provided a distinct advantagem as it gave the Union control of the South Carolina islands. -
General Grant Captures Forts Henry & Donelson
Union General Ulysses S. Grant wins two victories within two weeks of each of other. The first, Fort Henry, is captured on the 6th, while Donelson is captured 10 days later. Through his tactics allowing for an unconditional surrender from the Confederates, Grant earns the nickname "Unconditional Surrender Grant." -
Burnside Captures Ronake Island
On Febuary 7th, The Battle Of Roanoke occured. By the following day, the Union had managed a victory, capturing Roanoke Island. In turn, they also managed to capture 2, 765 troops. -
Nashiville, Tennessee Is Captured By Nelson
General "Bull" Nelson captured a Confederate city, Nashiville, Tennessee, on this day. The city surrendered while Hardee's Army of Central Kentucky retreated to Alabama. Nashville was the first Confederate state capital captured. -
General Grant Given Command Of Mutiple Armies
On this day, General Ulysses S. Grant, who had up until this point cmmanded The Army of The Tennessee (or The West Tennessee Army) was given further command. Due to his prowess in several major battles, other armies were absorbed into his. This included The Army Of the Mississippi, which had five division previously under command of General William S. Rosecrans. -
Second Confication Act Passed
The Second Confication Act, or The Confication Act of 1862, was passed on this day. This act allowed for the confication of any member of the Confederat Army, considering them traitors to the Union. Anyone in the Confederaet army could have their land taken and slaves freed, including Robert E. Lee, whose possesions were taken, the list of which is shown in the picture. -
The Battle Of Antietam
The bloodiest singled day of the war occured on this day due to the Battle Of Antietam. In it, the armies of Robert E. Lee and George McClellan battle in Antietam, Maryland. By the battle's end, there are 26,000 casualties. -
General George McClellan replaced by Ambrose E. Burnside by Lincoln
General George McClellan, commander of the Potomac Army, is replaced by Ambrose E. Burnside by President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's reasoning was the McClellan was moving much too slowly. He was nonaggresive and his army was frequently in disuse due to this, and as such Lincoln had him replaced by a General willing to utilize the army to its fullest. -
Union Suffers Heavy Casulaties At Fredericksburg
The Potomac Army, led by General Ambrose E. Burnside, sustained heavy casulaties on this day. The Union had attempted to claim the town Fredericksburg, Virginia, from the South. However, by the end of the battle, they had lost 12, 653 men compared to the Confederate's 5, 309 loss. -
Secretary Of State William Seward Attempts Resignation
Following a 13-11 vote calling for his resignation, Secretary of War William Seward filed for resignation from his post on this day. His son, assitant Secretary of State, did likewise. However, Lincoln rejected both resignations and they resumed their posts, ending the temporary cabinet crisis. -
Jefferson Davis Denounces Benjamin Butler
On this day, Jefferson Davis publicaly announced that if General Benjamin Butler was captured, he was to be execvuted, stating him "an enemy of mankind." This was due tp Butler's execution of William Mumford, who had torn down an American flag in an occupied area. Although he would never be captured, Butler would come to regret his harsh punishment, helping Mumfor's widow find a job after the war. -
Abraham Lincoln Issues Emancipation Proclamation
To begin the year, abolitionist President Abraham Lincoln issues the emancipation proclamation. The proclamation, after years of debate and the start of a war regarding the issue, now frees all slaves in Confederate territory. Lincoln then encourages the now free slaves to enlist with the Union Army, with the arguement that they had freed them. -
Burnside Replaced By Joseph Hooker As Potomac Commander
Ambrose Burnside was replaced on this day by General Joseph Hooker as Commander of the Potomac Commander. This was due to Burnside's resignation following the "Mud March" fiasco, a notoriously failed offensive against General Lee. Hooker would command the army until June 28th, 1863, where George Meade would suceed him. -
Congress Passes Conscription Act Of 1863
The Conscription Act of 1863, also known as the Draft Act, was signed into law by President Lincoln on this day. This act required each state to enlist any eligable canidate for war to meet an established quota. The wealthy could pay bounties, 300 dollar contributions, to buy their way out of the draft. -
Confederate "Tax-In-Kind" Bill Enacted
On this day, a Confederate "Tax-In-Kind" bill was officially enacted. In it, all citizens were required to give 10 percent of all goods produced or grown to the government. This was one of the first signs of the deeply struggling war effort. -
Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson Dies
The Confederacy was dealt a huge blow when one of it's key generals, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, died on this day. He had been shot in the arm and mortally wounded by friendly fire several days before. His last words were "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." -
Grant Relieves John McClernand Of Duty
General John McClernand was, on this day, relieved of his command by General Ulysses S. Grant. He was a long time political rival of Grant's, and this caused much tension between the two. This eventually would lead to outright insubordination of McClernand's part, leading to his replacement. -
Battle Of Gettysburg Changes Tide Of War
The Battle Of Gettysburg endd on this day, resulting in a decisive Union victory. This battle would become known for being the battle that ended any hope of the Confederacy winning. General Robert E. Lee attempted to resign for his failures in the battle, however Jefferson Davis rejected it and he continued to command until the end of the war. -
Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address
On this day, Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech honoring the fallen soldiers from The Battle of Gettysburg at the dedication of The Soldiers National Cemetary. In it, he starts with the now iconic phrase "four score and seven years ago..." The speech examined the principles of the founding fathers in relation to the civil war, and that they must continue to fight so that these principles would not be tarnished. -
Grant Captures Chattanooga After Three Day Campaign
After a three day campaign, Union General Ulysses S. Grant defeated Confederate General Braxton Brag. This battle, The Chattanooga Campaign, was the third attempt to capture Chattanooga, a vital rail hub. This was a critical loss for the Confederacy, especially since Grant claimed 6,142 prisoners. -
Confederate Commander Braxton Bragg Resigns
On this day, General Braxton Bragg tendered his resignation to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In a manner Bragg found insulting, he immedietly accepted the resignation. Davis appointed Joseph E. Johnston in his place. -
Thomas Rose Leads Libby Prison Escape
On this day, Colonel Thomas Rose led an escape 109 prisoners from a Confederate prison, Libby Prison. Of the escappes, 59 managed to escape, 49 were recaptured, and 2 drowned in a nearby river. Colonel Rose was one of those re-captured, but he was eventually released in a prisoner exchange and resumed working with his unit. -
Abraham Lincoln Allows For Colorado And Nevada To Be Eligable For Statehood
On this day, Abraham Lincoln signed legistlation allowing for Colorado and Neveda to become states, despite their ineligibility. At the time, they did not meet the population requirements fopr statehood. Said legistlation, however, allowed them to bypass said requirements. -
Lee Wins Battle Of Cold Harbor
On this day, Lee achieved his last clear victory against Grant in The Battle Of Cold Harbor. In it, Grant used tactics that continually attacked Lee, ones that would get him named a butcher, losing 7,000 men in 20 minutes. However, these tactics would prove effective, as the Union had reserved the Confederacy did not. -
U.S. Fugitive Slave Laws Repealed By Congress
Despite the enactment of the Civil three years before this, Congress had still not repealed Fugitive Slave Laws until this day. Fugitive Slave Laws were laws that req2uired people to hand over runaway slaves. This repealment was a step forward in African-American rights. -
Wade-Davis Bill Passes Congress, Pocket Vetoed By Lincoln
The Wade-Davis bill, a bill formed by two Radical Republicans, Benjamin Wade and Henry Winter Davis, was a bill that would force harsh policies for former Confederate states during Reconstruction. However, after passing through Congress on this day, Abraham Lincoln pocket vetoed it, angering Radical Republicans. Lincoln favored his own Ten Percent Plan over the Wade-Davis Bill. -
Atlanta Surrenders To Union Troops
On this day, James Calhoun, Mayor of Atlanta, surrendered to Union troops that had surrounded the city. The civillians of the city had been evacuated the previous day. The loss of Atlanta caused a major morale loss for the Confederates. -
Nevada Becomes 36th State Of Union
On this day, Nevada was inducted as the thirty-sixth state of the Union. This was rushed through Congress, as the Republicans wanted the state, dominated by those like-minded, to help with Lincoln's re-election. It was admitted with 40,000 residents, 20,000 short of the typical amount, but said requirement was nullified due to legistlation signed by Abraham Lincoln. -
Abraham Lincoln Is Re-Elected As President Of The United States
The election between National Union Canidate, Abraham Lincoln, and Democratic Canidate, former General George McClellan, ended on this day. Lincoln won decisively, gaining 55% of the popular vote and all but 21 of the electoral ballots. Lincoln, however, would not serve a full term, being assanated by John Wilkes Booth just six weeks after he was inaguarted into office. -
General William Sherman Begins March to the Sea
William Sherman began his March to the Sea, a campaign deep within Confederate territory, on this day, starting from the recently captured city of Atlanta. In said campaign, he operated without communication lines or supplies. Sherman's march proved incredibly effective, inflicting major damage to the South's infastructure. -
Army Of Tennessee Is Decimated In Battle Of Nashville
On this day, the Union claimed a great victory over the Confederacy in the Battle Of Nashville. Of the 40,000 Confederate troops, only 21,000 were left. This defeat was the end of The Army Of Tennessee. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders To Ulysses S. Grant At Appomattox
On this day, Confederate Commander Robert E. Lee surrendered The Army Of Northern Virginia to Union Commander Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. This surrender would become known as the essential end of the Civil War, barring surrenders of other, more minor, armies. The model agreed upon for this surrender would be utilized for the surrender of other Confederate armies. -
Abraham Lincoln Is Shot By John Wilkes Booth At Ford's Theatre
On this day, a Confederate sympathizer, actor John Wilkes Booth, shot U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln would not immediately die, but perish the next morning. Booth was hunted for 11 days before being shot dead by one of his pursuers. -
Abraham Lincoln Dies, Andrew Johnson Takes Oath
Abraham Lincoln dies on the morning of this day from the gunshot wound John Wilkes Booth inflicted on him the previous night. Vice-President Andrew Johnson was then required to take the Presidential Oath. It was done in a small parlor as a result of panic and distressing circumstances, leaving no time for a formal ceremony. -
Confederate President Jefferson Davis Captured
On this day, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, was captured by Union forces. Several days earliar the Confederate Government had been formally dissolved, and Davis was attempting to flee to Europe with his family when he was captured. He would be imprisoned for two years before being released on 100,000 dollars bail. -
Last Major Battle Of Civil War Ends
The Battle Of Palmito Ranch, the last major battle of the American Civil War, ended on this day. Although the Confederates officially won this battle, and this was the final one, they war was still lost, Various minor skirmishes would happen afterwords and decimate the remains of the Confederacy. -
Booth Conspirators Put To Death
On this day, conspirators involved in the plot to kill Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and William Seward were hung for their crimes. The accused included Lewis Powell, David Herold, George Atzerodt, and Mary Stuart. Three other conspirators, including Samuel Mudd, would be pardoned by Andrew Johnson and released from prison several years after the hanging, in 1869. -
Andrew Johnson Creates Reconstruction Committee
On this day, President Andrew Johnson created The Joint Committee on Reconstruction. Said committe would decide which Southern states were entitled to representation in Congress. It would be a very delicate manner considering the tension between the North and South. -
Ku Klux Klan Forms
The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremecy group, formed its first clan on this day. The name derived from the Greek word kuklos, meaning circle, and literally translates the name to "Circle Of Brothers." This group would be a prominent aspect in the suppresion of African American civil rights during Reconstruction. -
William Seward Proclaims Thirteenth Amendment Adopted
Secretary of State William Seward, on this day, proclaimed that the thirteenth amendment to the constitution to have been adopted. The Thirteenth Amendment banned all forms of slavery or involuntary servitude. It would go down in history as the one biggest victories for African American civil rights. -
Liberator Newspaper Releases Last Issue
William Lloyd Garrison, founder of the Liberator magazine, released his last issue of said magazine on this day. The magazine's goal, eradication of slavery, had been met. This closing represented the major victories African Americans gained after the war. -
Andrew Johnson Vetoes Bill Punishing Discrimination
On this day, Andrew Johnson vetoed a military bill. Said bill would have authorized a military tribunal for those who were "depriving Negroes of the Civil Rights." Said veto displayed Johnson's leniancy with regards to the discrimination and approval of Civil Rights for African-Americans. -
Andrew Johnson Vetoes Civil Rights Act Of 1866
On this day, President Andrew Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Act Of 1866. He stated reasoning was tbecause it was unconstitutional. This further angered the Radical Republicans, who had grown angry over Johnson's light treatment of penalties to the South and Civil Rights. -
Union Declares Official Peace With Confederate States
On this day, the Union declared a state of peace was established with many Confederate States. These included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. This was a step forward for the Reconstruction era of the United States. -
Ford's Theatre Purchase By Federal Government
On this day, Ford's Theatre was bought by the Federal Government for 100,000 dollars. Ford's Theatre was where Abraham Lincoln was shot, and they felt it should be used as a musuem. It would be used as the Army Medical Musuem, storage area for War Department records, and Office of The Surgeon General unti 1893. -
Congress Overrides Veto Of Civil Rights Act Of 1866
On March 27th, Congress failed to get the Civil Rights Act OF 1866 through Congress. However, on this dasy, when the bill went through once more, and Johnson once more vetoed it, it managed to get enough votes to bypass the veto, if only by a singular vote. This bill was enacted to protect the civil rights of African-Americans, and discourage discrimination against them. -
Infected Passanger Infect New York With Cholera
On this day, a passanger into the city of New York, infected with Cholera, would spread the disease. This was not the first case of this happening, previous outbreaks killing thousands of citizens. By it's end, the death toll is comparitively low, with 1,137 deaths. -
Congress Approves 14th Amendment
On this day, the 39th United States Congress approved the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. However, it would not be passed into law until 1868. Over the next few years, about three fourths of the states would ratify it, allowing it to pass into law. -
Tennessee Ratifies 14th Amendment
On this day, Tennessee ratified the 14th Amendment. They were one of the only Confederate states to ratify said amendment. As such, it would not suffer under the 2nd Reconstruction, not being targeted for offences against African-American Civil Rights. -
Congress Appoints Ulysses S. Grant As General Of Armies
On this day, Congress created the position of general of armies, and immediately appointed Ulysses S. Grant to the position. Grant had proven himself the most capable General during The Civil War, and the choice was an easy one for Congress. Also, the rank of Admiral was created on this day, and given to David G. Farragut. -
Secret Service Launches Investigation Into Ku Klux Klan
On this day, the Secret Sevice launch an investiation into the actions of the white supremcist group called the Ku Klux Klan. The fact that they warranted said attention shows that at this time, they were becoming a huge force in suppressing African American Rights. They would eventually close down, until the 1900's, in the 1870's. -
African-American Men Given Right To Vote In District of Columbia
On this day, a key Civil Rights act was passed. In the District of Columbia, over a veto from President Johnson, African-American men were given the right to vote. This was an important step for Civil Rights, although widespread suffrage would not happen until around one hundred years later. -
Nebraska Becomes A State
On this day, Nebaska was admitted to the United States as a state. It was the 37th state to be admitted into the Union. Nebraska's admission was a sign of the recovering state of the U.S. following the war. -
Congress Passes Tenure Of Office Act
On this day, Congress passed The Tenure Of Office Act. Said act denied the President the right to remove officials appointed with the consent of Congress. This act was one of the principal acts to limit Presedential power in comparison to Congressional power, and would as such also be used in an attempt to impeach President Andrew Johnson. -
Alexandria Rejects African-American Votes
On this day, Alexandria, Virginia rejected thousands of Arican-Amercian votes. This was in direct violation of the sufferage the Civil Rights Act entitled them to. This also showed that Reconstruction would not go as smoothly as planned. -
Second Reconstruction Act Passes Senate
On this day, Congress passed the Second Reconstruction Act. This Act passed despite Andrew Johnson's veto, gaining enough vote s to bypass it. Said act was essentially a foundation for promoting Civil Rights for African-Americans. -
William Seward Purchases Alaska
William Seward, Secretary Of State, negatioated a deal with Russia on this day. The U.S. would buy Alaska from them for 2 cents per acre. At the time, it was considered foolish and called "Seward's Folly." -
Many Confederate States Are Re-Admitted Into Union
On this day, many former Confederate states were re-admitted into the Union. This included Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. However, Texas, Virginia, and Mississippi were refused entry due to refusing to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Edwin Stanton Suspended By Andrew Johnson
On this day, Edwin Stanton, rival of Andrew Johnson, was supended from office as Secretary Of State by Johnson. Ulysses S. Grant became the interim Secretary Of State. This suspension was a violation of The Tenure Of Office Act, and thus would lead to an attempted impeachment of Johnson. -
U.S. Aquires Alaska From Russia
On this day, the teroritory of Alaska was aquired from Russia and bought by the United States. In a deal organised by William Seward, it was bought for 2 cents an acre, totaling 120 million dollars. At the time it was thought foolish, but in hindsight it was a brilliant idea on Seward's part. -
First Impeachement Vote For Andrew Johnson Occurs
On this day, Congress took a vote on whether or not to impeach Andrew Johnson after a large amount of complaints were entered about him. The vote failed 57-108. While this was the first vote for impeachement of Johnson, it was not the last, although the President would still narrowly avoid impeachment in the last vote.
