-
Period: to
United States Civil War
-
Resolutions on the Relations of the States
Jefferson Davis, Senator of Mississippi, submits several resolutions as to why slavery is important in certain territories. -
Cooper Union Address
Abraham Lincoln gives a speech in which he openly states that he opposes slavery in new territories. This speech was highly influential in his winning the presidential election. -
The Pony Express Debut
The Pony Express is debuted, and while short-lived and not very successful, it allowed for the government to think of new ways to transport messages across distances. -
Constitutional Union Party
The Constitutional Union Party is formed at a convention in Baltimore. Made up of former Whigs, the party's was highly opposed to secession. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Lincoln in elected president and promises to emancipate the slaves. He is a strong leader for the North and is remembered as one of the country's greatest presidents. -
Threats at Fort Sumter
At Fort Sumter in Charleston, Major Robert Anderson reports of threats from southern rebels and asks for reinforcements; none are sent. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina secedes from the United States of America. The rest of the southern states shortly followed in South Carolina's suit. This was a leading factor of the Civil War. -
South Carolina Representatives
After South Carolina approved the Ordinance of Secession, the House Representatives from that state abandoned the House. -
John B. Floyd Resigns
Secretary of War John B. Floyd resigns from office. Shortly after, he is indicted for corrupt behavior while in office, but the indictment was overruled in 1861. -
Charleston
Rebel forces seize a federal arsenal at Charleston. The next day, a telegram is sent informing of troops on their way to Charleston. -
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis is selected as president of the Confederate States of America, and his vice president is Alexander Stephens. -
Fort Sumter
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter, which is under the command of Major Robert Anderson. -
Battle of Philippi
The first land engagement of the Civil War, but it was seen not so much as a battle but more of a skirmish. -
Battle of Bull Run
The first official battle of the Civil War is fought in Manassas, Virginia. The result was a surprising Confederate victory. -
The Crittenden-Johnson Resolution
Explained the goals of the Union in the Civil War, however it made no mention of slaves or freeing them. -
The Tennessee River
Under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Union forces gain control of the Tennessee River after capturing Paducah, Kentucky. -
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman replaces Major Robert Anderson as commander of the Department of Cumberland after Anderson sufferes a severe mental breakdown. -
Gen. George McClellan
Appointed by Lincoln, George McClellan replaces Winfield Scott as commander of the Union army. -
The San Jacinto
Confederates James Mason and John Slidell are arrested on British mail ship, the Trent, after being stopped by the USS San Jacinto. -
Kentucky and the Confederacy
Kentucky becomes the 13th Confederate State. -
Battle of Fort Donelson
The Union captured Fort Donelson, near the Cumberland River. It was here that Grant earned the nickname "Unconditional Surrender." -
Battle of Hampton Roads
Two ironclad ships, the Union Monitor and the Confederate Merrimack, fought at Hampton Roads, Virginia at the mouth of the James River. The battle was indecisive. -
Battle of Shiloh
Fought in Tennessee, the Union emerges victorious from Shiloh, however both sides suffered heavy losses and also learned the importance of trench warfare. -
Capture of New Orleans
David G. Farragut captures the largest city and most important port, New Orleans, commanding the Union fleet. -
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee replaces Joseph E. Johnston as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Another victory at Manassas for the Confederates, Lee and Gen. James Longstreet defeat Union Gen. John Pope. -
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest single-day battle in American history, the Battle of Antietam resulted in the Army of the Potomac defeating the Army of Northern Virginia. -
Emancipation
Lincoln's plans for the Emancipation Proclamation are published in newspapers, giving African Americans hope of freedom. -
Gen. Ambrose Burnside
Gen. Ambrose Burnisde replaces McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Burnside and the Army of the Potomac are beaten by Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect, freeing slaves in the Confederate states. -
Gen. Joseph Hooker
Lincoln replaces Ambrose Burnside with Gen. Joseph Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Hooker and his troops are defeated by Lee and his army on their way to Richmond, Virginia. -
West Virginia
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States, but the terms free and slave did not matter here. -
Battle of Gettysburg
A turning point in the Civil War, Lee and the Confederate forces are defeated by the Union after battling for three days. -
Battle of Chickamauga
A major battle fought in Georgia, this resulted in a significant loss for the Union and is the second highest number of casualties in the war following Gettysburg. -
The Gettysburg Address
Lincoln gives a two-minute speech, the Gettysburg Address, at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. -
Battle of Missionary Ridge
In Chattanooga, under Grant, the Union forces assaulted and defeated the Confederate Army of Tennessee and its commander, Gen. Braxton Bragg. -
Longstreet and Shackelford
Longstreet skirmishes with Brig. Gen. James Shackelford before driving Union forces back. Shackleford later withdrew on the evening of December 14th. -
Joseph E. Johnston
Gen. Joesph E. Johnston is appointed to command the Army of Tennessee by Davis. -
The 13th Amendment is Proposed
The amendment to end slavery is proposed by Senator John B. Henderson of Missouri to Congress. -
Meridian Campaign
William Techumseh Sherman begins the Meridian Campaign after arriving in Vicksburg. -
CSS Hunley and USS Houstatonic
The USS Houstatonic is destroyed by the CSS Hunley by torpedo. Both ships sink in the Charleston harbor. -
Camp Sumter
In Andersonville, federal POWs begin arriving at Camp Sumter. -
Nathan Bedofrd Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest begins raiding villages in Kentucky and West Tennessee. -
Battle of the Wilderness
Grant retreats to Spotsylvania Court House after being badly beaten by Lee on the field. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Grant and Lee battle for several days southwest of Fredericksburg. The result was inconclusive. -
CSS Tennessee and USS Tecumseh
Farragut orders the Hartford to take lead near the entrance to Mobile Bay, where the ironclad Tennessee was waiting. The Confederate fleet was destroyed by the Union ships. -
Lincoln is Reelected
Lincoln wins the reelection against George McClellan to serve a second term as President. His Vice President is Andrew Johnson. -
March to the Sea
Sherman begins his March to the Sea, burning and destroying many villages on the way to Georgia. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment is passed by the US House of Representatives. -
Charleston
The city of Charleston is surrendered. -
African American Soldiers
The Confederacy allowed African Americans to enlist in the army, and those who fought for the army were to be freed. -
Appomattox Court House
Lee surrenders his Army of Northern Virginia to Grant in Appomattox Court House, -
Lincoln's Assasination
President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a southern sympathizer, in Ford's Theatre. -
Joe Johnston Surrenders
Joe Johnston surrenders to William Tecumseh Sherman. -
Davis' Capture
Jefferson Davis is captured near Irwinville, Georgia. -
Andrew Johnson
Johnson grants a pardon to anyone who directly or indirectly aided the southern war effort and restored property rights, except to slaves. -
Conspirators
Lincoln assassination conspirators Lewis Payne, George A. Atzerodt, David Herold and Mary Surratt are hung in Washington, D. C.. -
The 13th Amendment Proclaimed
The 13th Amendment is proclaimed, abolishing slavery throughout the United States. -
Texas Repeals Secessionist Convention
Texas repeals the actions of the Secessionist Convention -
Civil Rights Act
President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act of 1866 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. -
State of Peace
The US declares a state of peace with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. -
Congress Overrides Veto
Congress overrides President Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights Act. -
Cholera
A cholera epidemic begins in New York. -
The 14th Amendment
Thirty-ninth Congress approves the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. -
Congress Overrides Johnson Again
Congress overrides President Johnson's veto of the Freedman's Bureau bill. -
The KKK
The U. S. Secret Service begins an investigation into the Ku Klux Klan. -
Peace with Texas
President Johnson issues a peace proclamation with Texas. -
South Carolina
South Carolina rejects the 14th Amendment on the 6th anniversary of the secession. -
Nebraska
Nebraska becomes a state. -
Tenure of Office Act
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act which denies the right of the President to remove officials who had been appointed with the consent of Congress. -
Alexandria Rejects Votes
Thousands of votes cast by African Americans are rejected in Alexandria, Virginia after they were granted suffrage. -
2nd Reconstruction Act
Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act over Johnson's veto. -
Seward's Folly
William P. Seward signs a treaty with Russia buying Alaska for 2 cents an acre. It was known as "Seward's Folly." -
Admission into the Union
Congress passes a bill admitting Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. -
Edwin Stanton
Presideng Johnson demands Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War, to resign. -
Ratification of Treaty
The Senate ratifies the treaty purchasing the Alaska territory. -
Suspension
Edwin Stanton is suspended by Presudent Johnson. -
Alaska
Russia turns over Alaska to the United States.
