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South Carolina Leaves the Union
South Carolina leaves the union, which is followed by Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama within the next two months. By the following February, the Confederacy is formed with Jefferson Davis as president. -
The Civil War Begins - Fort Sumter
The Civil War begins with the attack on Fort Sumter, where General Pierre Beauregard opened fire on Fort Sumter (Charleston, SC). Fort Sumter was captured by April 14. -
Period: to
Civil War
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The Union Diminishes
Virginia leaves the union, and in just over a month, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee follow and help to form an 11 state confederacy. -
The Battle of Bull Run
Union Army suffers a defeat at Bull Run, 25 miles southwest of Washington. This is how General Thomas Jackson gets his nickname “Stonewall" Jackson. His brigade kept off several Union attacks. -
Battle of Shiloh
A surprise attack on Union troops led by Ulysses S. Grant at Shiloh on the Tennessee Rover results in 13,000 Union injuries/casualties and 10,000 Confederate injuries/casualties. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that "that all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free. Furthermore, it allowed African Americans to become a part of the Union Army, giving more strength, power, and numbers to the Union Army. -
Battle of Chancerlorsville
General "Stonewall" Jackson led a massive, successful flank on the Union Army at the Battle of Chancellorsville. This battle is portrayed in Stephen Crane's "Red Badge of Courage". The battle lasted for several, and contained several different skirmishes, some of which are depicted in Crane's novel. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg begins in Pennsylvania results in a big loss for the Confederates, tipping the war in the Union’s favor. The battle lasted three days, and is considered to be on of the most critical engagements of the Civil War because it caused Lee to retreat with his forces. -
The Civil War's End
General Lee surrenders his Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. This date marks the end to a bloody Civil War.
