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Division of Country
South Carolina seceded from the United States. This ultimately divided up the country. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
Lincoln's address was part of his taking oath of office as the sixteenth President of the United States. His speech was directed towards the South and seven states that had seceded. -
Fort Sumter
A Union fort that was in Southern territory, Lincoln needed to get supplies to his men, but didn't want to be the one to start the war. Eventually the South won the fort. -
Virginia Joins the Confederacy
Virginia called a convention of delegates to consider secession. Soon after the attack on Fort Sumter, Virginia passed its “Ordinance of Secession”. -
Battle of Bull Run
Union forces met the Confederates at Manassas Junction, outside of Washington, DC. In the end the South won, giving determination to the North & false security to the South. -
Manassas Commanders Agree on Confederate Flag
Two of the commanders from Manassas agreed on a new design for the Confederate flag. The new design was decided on due to confusion on the battle field. -
McClellan Relieved of Command
Lincoln relieves McClellan as General, but he goes on as the commander of the Army of Potomac. This is also considered the begining of the Peninsula Campaign. -
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Battle of Shiloh
Confederate forces attacked Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing. Union forces were unprepared, but they still held their own until the arrival of reinforcements at Pittsburg Landing. On the second day, Grant launched a counterattack and the Confederates retreated to Corinth. -
Battle of Seven Pines
Lee took over and broke off from fighting. McClellan however, did not take advantage of it. Instead, he sat and waited. -
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Seven Days Campaign
This was considered a victory for the South, due to the Union's retreat. Although they won, Confederates had 4000 more casualties than the North. -
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Second Battle of Bull Run
Pope retreated to Centreville, and in return Lee ordered his army in pursuit. This was the decisive battle of the Northern Virginia Campaign. -
Bloodiest Battle of the Civil War
During Antietam, the Army of the Potomac defeated the Army of Northern Virginia. This was also known as the bloodiest day in American history. -
Braxton Bragg Reorganizes the Department of Mississippi
Department of Mississippi is reorganized by creating two corps. One is under William Hardee and the other is under Leonidas Polk. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Burnside attacks Lee at Fredericksburg. The South has the advantage of being on higher land, resulting in an easy win for the Confederates. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln's announcement emancipating all slaves in states still in rebellion against the Union. Although it was beyond Lincoln's powers, the declaration turned the war into a crusade against slavery. -
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Battle of Chancellorsville
Was fought in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. The battle is known as Lee's "perfect battle" because of his risky decision to divide his army . resulting in a Confederate victory. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
Confederates were met by two Union brigades on the high ground outside of Gettysburg. On the third day "Pickett's Charge" took place on Cemetery Ridge, but failed. In the end the North won. -
Gettysburg Address
Although he was not the main speaker, Lincoln had given a speech following another. The first speech had taken well over an hour, while Licoln's was less than two minutes long. His speech was significant, and summed up the first speech greatly. -
Grant Becomes General
Lincoln promoted Ulysses S. Grant to General. This gave him command of all active United States forces. -
Fall of Atlanta
The city is surrendered by Mayor James Calhoun. By doing so, this gave it to Union forces -
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March to the Sea
Also known as the Savannah Campaign, which was conducted across Georgia. It began with Sherman's troops leaving the city of Atlanta and ended with the capture of the port of Savannah. -
13th Amendment Passed
Two years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment was passed. This abolished slavery throughout the United States (not just areas under Union control). -
Lee Surrenders to Grant
After attempting to break-out of the Union envelopment, Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant. This occurs at the home of Wilmer McLean, in Appomattox Court House.
