Civil War Timeline

  • Period: to

    The Civil War

  • Jefferson Davis speaks about slavery

    Jefferson Davis speaks about slavery
    Jefferson Davis speaks on his beliefs on slavery. He is in favor of slavery and believes slaveholders should be protected.
  • Cooper Union Address

    Cooper Union Address
    Abraham Lincoln made a speech at Cooper Union in New York, prior to when he was nominated for the presidency. In this speech he spoke of his strong beliefs in ending slavery. This is believed to have won him the presidency.
  • The Pony Express

    The Pony Express
    The Pony Express, a system of messageners that brought mail from station to station. The system went from Saint Louis, Missouri to Sacremento, and California. The Pony Express had 119 stations on a 2,000 mile route.
  • The Constitution Union Party Makes Their Nomination

    The Constitution Union Party Makes Their Nomination
    The Constitution Union Party meets in Baltimore. They decide to nominate John Bell for the presidency.
  • Republicans Make Their Nominations

    Republicans Make Their Nominations
    The Republican party meets for their convention in Chicago, Illinois. During that convention they made their nomination for the presidency, Abraham Lincoln.
  • The Democrats Make Their Nomination

    The Democrats Make Their Nomination
    The Democrats meet for the second time in Baltimore and decide to nominate Stephen Douglas and Herschal V. Johnson for the presidency.
  • Abraham Lincoln is Elected

    Abraham Lincoln is Elected
    Abraham Lincoln is elected president. He is the first Republican president, recieving 180-303 electoral votes, and forty percent of the popular vote.
  • Succession Convention

    Succession Convention
    The first Succesion Convention meets. The meeting is held in Columbia, South Carolina.
  • The Succession Begins

    The Succession Begins
    South Carolina is the first state to succede from the Union.
  • Ft.Moultrie to Ft. Sumter

    Ft.Moultrie to Ft. Sumter
    Major Anderson moves his troops from Ft.Moultrie to Ft. Sumter, because he thought it would be impossible for him and his troops to take on the South Carolina malitia at Ft. Moultire.
  • The Confederate States of America

    The Confederate States of America
    The states that have succeded from the Union, come together in Montgomery, Alabama and create a government. Therefore creating the Confederate States of America.
  • First President of CSA

    First President of CSA
    Jefferson Davis is appointed the first president of the Confederate States of America. Davis will keep this position until they elections can take place.
  • Davis is Inaugurated

    Davis is Inaugurated
    Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as the first president of the Confederate States of America.
  • Lincoln is Inaugurated

    Lincoln is Inaugurated
    Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the sixteenth president of the United States. The inauguration takes place in Washington D.C.
  • Fort Sumter

    Fort Sumter
    The confederate army sets fire on the Union soldiers at Fort Sumter. This is considered the offficial start of the Civil War.
  • Lincoln Calls for Soldiers

    Lincoln Calls for Soldiers
    Abraham Lincoln informs the public that rebellion is occuring and he calls for 75,000 malitia to stop the fighting.
  • McCllelan

    McCllelan
    Abraham Lincoln appoints George McCllelan as commander of the Union Army.
  • First Battle of Bull Run

    First Battle of Bull Run
    The First Battle of Bull Run was the first official battle of the Civil War. The war took place in Manassas, Virginia and it was a Confederate victory.
  • Tennessee River Captured

    Tennessee River Captured
    General Ulysses S. Grant and troops capture Paducah, Kentucky, resulting in the Union having control of the Tennessee River.
  • Secretary of War

    Secretary of War
    Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjamin as Secretary of War. By giving this position to Benjamin, he is now the leader of the Confederate Army.
  • Surrender of Fort Henry

    Surrender of Fort Henry
    The Union Army captured Fort Henry, resulting in the Union controlling the river.
  • Surrender of Fort Donelson

    Surrender of Fort Donelson
    The capture of Fort Donelson, located on the Cumberland River, resulted in the Union having control of the river. A river they could use to further advance on the Confederacy. This capture is where Ulysses S. Grant got his nickname "Unconditional Surrender".
  • Willie's Death

    Willie's Death
    Abraham Lincoln's eleven year old son, Willie dies from a fever. This leaves Lincoln in a state of grief.
  • Greenbacks

    Greenbacks
    This was a form of paper money introduced by Abraham Lincoln. It was the unified money for the United States and was used by the Union army.
  • Shiloh

    Shiloh
    The Battle of Shiloh took place at a church in Tennessee. The battle resulted in a Union victory, when the Confederates retreated.
  • The Draft

    The Draft
    The Confederate government approves conscription, which is a draft for men between the ages of 18-35 to fight in the Civil War.
  • Union Forces Take New Orleans

    Union Forces Take New Orleans
    17 Union vessels travel down the Mississippi river to New Orleans. There they capture the city which was South's largest seaport.
  • The Battle of Seven Pines

    The Battle of Seven Pines
    At the Battle of Seven Pines Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army attacks McClellan's troops in front of Richmond. The battle ends in a Union victory.
  • Antietam

    Antietam
    Antietam is the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War. The battle ended with a Confederate retreat, which was considered a win by the Union Army.
  • Plans of Emancipation

    Plans of Emancipation
    Abraham Lincoln's plans for emancipation are made public in Union newspaper. This provides hope for slaves and gives even more reason to the Civil War.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in the Union.
  • National Banking Act

    National Banking Act
    Abraham Lincoln introduces the National Banking Act. This act requires a person be in charge of currency, leading to the creation of local banks.
  • Battle of Chancellorsville

    Battle of Chancellorsville
    The Battle of Chancellorsville was a three day battle ending in a Confederate victory. At this battle, Confederate general "Stonewall" Jackson is killed, when he is accidentally shot by one of his men.
  • Vicksburg

    Vicksburg
    The Battle of Vicksburg was a battle for control over the Mississippi. Grant conducts a siege of Vicksburg. Those captured in the town don't have much supplies or food. The Confederates finally surrender on July 3,1863.
  • Battle of Gettysburg

    Battle of Gettysburg
    The Battle of Gettyburg was the turning point of the Civil War. The North had 15,000 more soldiers going into the Battle of Gettysburg, giving them a great advantage. The battle was a Union victory.
  • Draft Riots

    Draft Riots
    Riots begin over the drafts. People argue that the drafts favor the rich, since a fee could be paid to not be involved in the drafts.
  • Robert E. Lee Resigns

    Robert E. Lee Resigns
    After Robert E. Lee experiences a horrible loss at Gettysburg, he sends a request to Davis, to resign. Jefferson Davis vetos his request.
  • Battle of Lawrence

    Battle of Lawrence
    The Battle of Lawrence took place in Lawrence, Kentucky. At this battle William Quantrill (confederate) and troops, brutally kill 200 men and boys.
  • Battle of Chickamauga

    Battle of Chickamauga
    At the Battle of Chickamauga the Union Army is defeated, and the Union soldiers at Cumberland are captured in Chattanooga under a siege.
  • Gettysburg Address

    Gettysburg Address
    The Gettysburg Address is Abraham Lincoln's speech dedicating those who died in the Battle of Gettysburg. In his speech he addresses that those who have lived and those who didn't fight, have no right to deem this place sacred, that right was only to be given to those who died.
  • Union Prisoners Escape

    Union Prisoners Escape
    109 Union officers escape from Libby Prison. To escape the men dug for weeks, and only 59 of 109 men made it into Union territory.
  • Andersonville

    Andersonville
    500 Union prisoners enter Andersonville, a prison camp run by the Confederates. Andersonville was the harshest, worst war camp.
  • Ulysses S Grant becomes Commander of All Armies

    Ulysses S Grant becomes Commander of All Armies
    Abraham Lincoln makes Ulysses S Grant the commander of all the armies in the United States.
  • Battle of the Wilderness

    Battle of the Wilderness
    The Battle of the Wilderness took place in the woods. During the battle the forest caught fire, burning many of the wounded soldiers. The battle ended with a Confederate victory.
  • Virginia Campaign

    Virginia Campaign
    Ulysses S Grant has a plan for ending the war, he and 120,000 troops march toward Richmond.
  • Battle of Spotsylvania

    Battle of Spotsylvania
    At the Battle of Spotsylvania, Grant attacks Lee's army. The result of the battle is a Union victory, yet more Union soldiers die than Confederate soldiers.
  • Battle of Cold Harbor

    Battle of Cold Harbor
    The Battle of Cold Harbor is detrimental to the Union Army. Grant makes many mistakes that lead to the deaths of 7,000 Union soldiers in twenty minutes.
  • Lincoln is Re-elected

    Lincoln is Re-elected
    Lincoln is re-elected for his second term, and wins the election by an overwhelming amount of votes.
  • Burning of New York

    Burning of New York
    A group of Confederates who call themselves the Confederate Army of Manhattan, attempt to burn New York to the ground, yet they are unsuccessful.
  • Sherman's March to the Sea

    Sherman's March to the Sea
    Sherman and his troops capture Atlanta and then proceeded to destroy 60 miles of Georgia.
  • Lincoln's 2nd Inauguration

    Lincoln's 2nd Inauguration
    Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated into his second term as President.
  • Davis Flees

    Davis Flees
    Jefferson Davis and his cabinent flee Richmond, Virginia when the Union forces are near.
  • Appottamax

    Appottamax
    At the Appottamax Courthouse Robert E. Lee surrenders to Grant. This is the official end of the Civil War.
  • Lincoln is Shot

    Lincoln is Shot
    Abraham Lincoln is shot at Ford's Theater by John Wilkes Booth.
  • Lincoln Dies

    Lincoln Dies
    Abraham Lincoln dies the day after he was shot by Booth.
  • Johnston Surrenders

    Johnston Surrenders
    General Johnston, the leader of the Confederate Army, surrenders in North Carolina.
  • Booth is Captured

    Booth is Captured
    Booth is captured in a barn in VA, where he is shot and killed.
  • Conspirators Hanged

    Conspirators Hanged
    The conspirators of Abraham Lincoln's death are hanged. The conspirators were Davide Harold, George Atzerodt, Lewis Payne, and Mary Surratt.
  • Henry Wirz

    Henry Wirz
    Henry Wirz, the leader of Andersonville is hanged. He is the only war criminal from the Civil War to be hanged.
  • 13th Amendment

    13th Amendment
    The 13th amendment is introduced. The 13th amendment abolishes slavery.
  • The Liberator's Last Issue

    The Liberator's Last Issue
    The Liberator, an antislave newspaper, publishes its last issue. There is no need for the newspaper anymore because of the 13th amendment.
  • Johnson Vetos Civil Rights Act

    Johnson Vetos Civil Rights Act
    President Johnson vetos the Civil Rights Act. The act was intended to give African Americans Civil Rights. Johnson thought this was unconstitutional.
  • Civil Righs Act becomes law

    Civil Righs Act becomes law
    The Civil Rights Act of 1866 becomes law. It was the first law to define US citizenship and ensure all citizens were equally protected.
  • First State Back in the Union

    First State Back in the Union
    Tennessee is the first state to re-enter the Union.
  • Transatlantic Cable

    Transatlantic Cable
    The transatlantic cable allowed for transatlantic communication for the first time, through the use of a telegraph.
  • Investigation on KKK

    Investigation on KKK
    The Secret Service starts an investigation on the Klu Klux Klan.
  • New Jersey

    New Jersey
    New Jersey ratifies the 14th amendment
  • Georgia

    Georgia
    Georgia rejects the 14th amendment.
  • Civil War Ships Destroyed

    Civil War Ships Destroyed
    A fire in Philadelphia occurs in a ship-yard burning and destroying many of the war ships used during the Civil War.
  • 14th Amendment Rejected by South Carolina

    14th Amendment Rejected by South Carolina
    The 14th amendment is rejected by South Carolina 6 years after it succeded from the Union.
  • Given the Right to Vote

    Given the Right to Vote
    African American men are given the right to vote. President Johnson did not approve, yet Congress overrode the veto.
  • Nebraska

    Nebraska
    Nebraska becomes a state. It is the 37th state in America.
  • African Americans Not Allowed to Vote in VA

    African Americans Not Allowed to Vote in VA
    In Alexandria, Virginia, African Americans were not allowed the right to vote.
  • Ride-In Protests

    Ride-In Protests
    African Americans participated in ride-in protests on New Orleans streetcars, to fight segregation.
  • Alaska

    Alaska
    President Johnson buys Alaska, which won't become a state for another 92 years.
  • States Added Back to the Union

    States Added Back to the Union
    Congress passes a bill and admits Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina into the Union. The states that didn't ratify amendment 14 weren't admitted.
  • Edwin Stanton Forced to Resign

    Edwin Stanton Forced to Resign
    President Andrew Johnson forces Edwin Stanton, the secretary of war to resign.
  • ad interim Secretary of War

    ad interim Secretary of War
    Edwin M. Stanton was suspended, so Ulysses S. Grant was appointed the ad interim Secretary of War.
  • Alaska is Officially Owned by the US

    Alaska is Officially Owned by the US
    Russia sells Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million, and it is now officially part of the United States.
  • Possible Impeachment?

    Possible Impeachment?
    Congress discussing making plans to impeach President Johnson because they don't believe he is effective enough