The History Place - U.S. Civil War 1861-1865     Jump To: Fort Sumter Attacked - First Bull Run - Shiloh - Second Bull Run - Antietam - Fredericksburg - Chancellorsville - Gettysburg - Chickamauga - Chattanooga - Cold Harbor - March to the Sea - Lee Surrenders - Lincoln Shot  November 6, 1860 - Abraham Lincoln, who had declared "Government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free..." is elected president, the first Republican, receiving 180 of 303 possible electoral votes and 40 percent of the popular vote. Dec 20, 1860 - South Carolina secedesfrom the Union. Followed within two months by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama,Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.  Auctionand Negro sales, Atlanta, Georgia. 1861  Feb9, 1861 - The Confederate States of America is formed with JeffersonDavis, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer, as president.March 4, 1861 - Abraham Lincolnis sworn in as 16th President of the United States of America. Fort Sumter Attacked April 12, 1861 - At 4:30 a.m. Confederatesunder Gen. Pierre Beauregardopen fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.The Civil War begins.  FortSumter after its capture, showing damage from the Rebel bombardment ofover 3000 shells and now flying the Rebel "Stars and Bars" -April 14, 1861. April 15, 1861 - President Lincolnissues a Proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen, and summoning a specialsession of Congress for July 4. Robert E. Lee, son of a Revolutionary War hero, and a 25 year distinguishedveteran of the United States Army and former Superintendent of West Point,is offered command of the Union Army. Lee declines. April 17, 1861 - Virginia secedesfrom the Union, followed within five weeks by Arkansas, Tennessee, andNorth Carolina, thus forming an eleven state Confederacy with a populationof 9 million, including nearly 4 million slaves. The Union will soon have21 states and a population of over 20 million. Mapof Allegiances of the States - 1861.April 19, 1861 - President Lincolnissues a Proclamation of Blockade against Southern ports. For the durationof the war the blockade limits the ability of the rural South to stay wellsupplied in its war against the industrialized North. April 20, 1861 - Robert E. Lee resignshis commission in the United States Army. "I cannot raisemy hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." Lee then goesto Richmond, Virginia, is offered command of the military and naval forcesof Virginia, and accepts. July 4, 1861 - Lincoln, in a speechto Congress, states the war is..."a People's contest...a strugglefor maintaining in the world, that form, and substance of government, whoseleading object is, to elevate the condition of men..." The Congressauthorizes a call for 500,000 men. First Bull Run July 21, 1861 - The Union Army underGen. Irvin McDowell suffersa defeat at Bull Run25 miles southwest of Washington. Confederate Gen. ThomasJ. Jackson earns the nickname "Stonewall," as his brigaderesists Union attacks. Union troops fall back to Washington. PresidentLincoln realizes the war will be long. "It's damned bad," hecomments.  Ruinsof the Stone Bridge over which Northern forces retreated until it was blownup by a Rebel shell adding to the panic of the retreat, with the Federalsreturning to Washington as "a rain-soaked mob."  July27, 1861 - President Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan asCommander of the Department of the Potomac, replacing McDowell. McClellan tells his wife,"I find myself in a new and strange position here: President, cabinet,Gen. Scott, and all deferring to me. By some strange operation of magicI seem to have become the power of the land." Sept 11, 1861 - President Lincolnrevokes Gen. John C. Frémont's unauthorized military proclamationof emancipation in Missouri. Later, the president relieves Gen. Frémontof his command and replaces him with Gen. David Hunter. Nov 1, 1861 - President Lincolnappoints McClellan as general-in-chief of all Union forces after the resignationof the aged Winfield Scott.Lincoln tells McClellan, "...the supreme command of the Army willentail a vast labor upon you." McClellan responds, "I can doit all." Nov 8, 1861 - The beginning of aninternational diplomatic crisis for President Lincoln as two Confederateofficials sailing toward England are seized by the U.S. Navy. England,the leading world power, demands their release, threatening war. Lincolneventually gives in and orders their release in December. "One warat a time," Lincoln remarks. 1862 Jan 31, 1862 - President Lincolnissues General War Order No. 1 calling for all United States naval andland forces to begin a general advance by Feb 22, George Washington's birthday. Feb6, 1862 - Victory for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in Tennessee,capturing Fort Henry, and ten days later Fort Donelson. Grant earns thenickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. Feb 20, 1862 - President Lincoln is struck with grief as his beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, dies from fever, probably caused by polluted drinking water in the White House. March 8/9, 1862 - The ConfederateIronclad 'Merrimac' sinks two wooden Union ships then battles the UnionIronclad 'Monitor' to a draw. Naval warfare is thus changed forever, makingwooden ships obsolete. Engraving ofthe Battle  TheMonitor at dock, showing damage from the battle. In March -The Peninsular Campaign begins as McClellan's Army of the Potomac advancesfrom Washington down the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay to the peninsularsouth of the Confederate Capital of Richmond, Virginia then begins an advancetoward Richmond. President Lincoln temporarily relieves McClellan as general-in-chiefand takes direct command of the Union Armies. Shiloh April 6/7, 1862 - Confederate surpriseattack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared troops at Shiloh on the TennesseeRiver results in a bitter struggle with 13,000 Union killed and woundedand 10,000 Confederates, more men than in all previous American wars combined.The president is then pressured to relieve Grant but resists. "I can'tspare this man; he fights," Lincoln says. April 24, 1862 - 17 Union shipsunder the command of Flag Officer DavidFarragut move up the Mississippi River then take New Orleans, theSouth's greatest seaport. Later in the war, sailing through a Rebel minefield Farragut utters the famous phrase "Damn the torpedoes, fullspeed ahead!" May 31, 1862 - The Battle of SevenPines as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston'sArmy attacks McClellan's troops in front of Richmond and nearly defeatsthem. But Johnston is badly wounded.  June1, 1862 - Gen. Robert E. Lee assumes command, replacing thewounded Johnston. Lee then renames his force the Army of Northern Virginia.McClellan is not impressed, saying Lee is "likely to be timid andirresolute in action." June 25-July 1 - The Seven DaysBattles as Lee attacks McClellan near Richmond, resulting in very heavylosses for both armies. McClellan then begins a withdrawal back towardWashington.  YoungGeorgia Private Edwin Jennison, killed in the Seven Days Battles at MalvernHill - the face of a lost generation. July 11, 1862 - After four monthsas his own general-in-chief, President Lincoln hands over the task to Gen.Henry W. (Old Brains) Halleck. Second Battle of Bull Run Aug 29/30, 1862 - 75,000 Federalsunder Gen. John Pope aredefeated by 55,000 Confederates under Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Gen. JamesLongstreet at the second battle of BullRun in northern Virginia. Once again the Union Army retreats toWashington. The president then relieves Pope. Sept 4-9, 1862 - Lee invades theNorth with 50,000 Confederates and heads for HarpersFerry, located 50 miles northwest of Washington. The Union Army, 90,000 strong, under the command of McClellan, pursuesLee. Antietam Sept 17, 1862 - The bloodiest dayin U.S. military history as Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Armiesare stopped at Antietamin Maryland by McClellan and numerically superior Union forces. By nightfall26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. Lee then withdraws to Virginia. Confederatedead by the fence bordering Farmer Miller's 40 acre Cornfield at Antietamwhere the intense rifle and artillery fire cut every corn stalk to theground "as closely as could have been done with a knife." Sept 22, 1862 - Preliminary EmancipationProclamation freeing slaves issued by President Lincoln.  PresidentLincoln visits Gen. George McClellan at Antietam, Maryland - October, 1862Nov 7, 1862 - The president replacesMcClellan with Gen. AmbroseE. Burnside as the new Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Lincolnhad grown impatient with McClellan's slowness to follow up on the successat Antietam, even telling him, "If you don't want to use the army,I should like to borrow it for a while." Fredericksburg Dec 13, 1862 - Army of the Potomacunder Gen. Burnside suffers a costly defeat at Fredericksburgin Virginia with a loss of 12,653 men after 14 frontal assaults on wellentrenched Rebels on Marye's Heights. "We might as well have triedto take hell," a Union soldier remarks. Confederate losses are 5,309."It is well that war is so terrible - we should grow too fond ofit," states Lee during the fighting. 1863 Jan 1, 1863 - President Lincolnissues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territoriesheld by Confederates and emphasizes the enlisting of black soldiers inthe Union Army. The war to preserve the Union now becomes a revolutionarystruggle for the abolition of slavery. Jan 25, 1863 - The president appointsGen. Joseph (Fighting Joe)Hooker as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Burnside.Jan 29, 1863 - Gen. Grant is placedin command of the Army of the West, with orders to capture Vicksburg. March 3, 1863 - The U.S. Congressenacts a draft, affecting male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exemptsthose who pay $300 or provide a substitute. "The blood of a poor manis as precious as that of the wealthy," poor Northerners complain. Chancellorsville May 1-4, 1863 - The Union Army underGen. Hooker is decisively defeated by Lee's much smaller forces at theBattle of Chancellorsville in Virginia as a result of Lee's brilliant anddaring tactics. Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson is mortally woundedby his own soldiers. Hooker retreats. Union losses are 17,000 killed, woundedand missing out of 130,000. The Confederates, 13, 000 out of 60,000. "I just lost confidence in Joe Hooker," said Hooker laterabout his own lack of nerve during the battle.  Confederatesoldiers at the Sunken Road, killed during the fighting around Chancellorsville.May 10, 1863 - The South suffersa huge blow as Stonewall Jackson dies from his wounds, his last words,"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.""I have lost my right arm," Lee laments. June 3, 1863 - Gen. Lee with 75,000Confederates launches his second invasion of the North, heading into Pennsylvaniain a campaign that will soon lead to Gettysburg. June 28, 1863 - President Lincolnappoints Gen. George G. Meadeas commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Hooker. Meadeis the 5th man to command the Army in less than a year. Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863 - The tide of warturns against the South as the Confederates are defeated at the Battleof Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. Read about the Battle of Gettysburg- Battlefield Photos  Unionsoldiers on the Battlefield at Gettysburg. July 4, 1863 - Vicksburg,the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, surrenders toGen. Grant and the Army of the West after a six week siege. With the Unionnow in control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy is effectively splitin two, cut off from its western allies. July 13-16, 1863 - Antidraftriots in New York City include arson and the murder of blacks by poor immigrantwhites. At least 120 persons, including children, are killed and $2 millionin damage caused, until Union soldiers returning from Gettysburg restoreorder. July 18, 1863- 'Negro troops' of the54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment under Col. Robert G. Shaw assaultfortified Rebels at Fort Wagner, South Carolina. Col. Shaw and half ofthe 600 men in the regiment are killed. Aug 10, 1863 - The president meetswith abolitionist FrederickDouglass who pushes for full equality for Union 'Negro troops.'Aug 21, 1863 - At Lawrence, Kansas,pro-Confederate William C. Quantrill and 450 proslavery followers raidthe town and butcher 182 boys and men. Chickamauga Sept 19/20, 1863 - A decisive Confederatevictory by Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee at Chickamaugaleaves Gen. William S. Rosecrans'Union Army of the Cumberland trapped in Chattanooga, Tennessee under Confederatesiege. Oct 16, 1863 - The president appointsGen. Grant to command all operations in the western theater. Nov 19, 1863 - President Lincolndelivers a two minute Gettysburg Address at a ceremony dedicating the Battlefieldas a National Cemetery. Page one of Gettysburg Address inLincoln's handwritingPage two of Gettysburg Address inLincoln's handwriting  Lincolnamong the crowd at Gettysburg - Nov 19, 1863 Chattanooga Nov 23-25, 1863 - The Rebel siegeof Chattanooga ends as Union forces under Grant defeat the siege army ofGen. Braxton Bragg. During the battle, one of the most dramatic momentsof the war occurs. Yelling "Chickamauga! Chickamauga!" Uniontroops avenge their previous defeat at Chickamauga by storming up the faceof Missionary Ridge without orders and sweep the Rebels from what had beenthough to be an impregnable position. "My God, come and see 'em run!"a Union soldier cries. 1864 March 9, 1864 - President Lincolnappoints Gen. Grant to command all of the armies of the United States.Gen. William T. Shermansucceeds Grant as commander in the west. May 4, 1864 - The beginning of amassive, coordinated campaign involving all the Union Armies. In Virginia,Grant with an Army of 120,000 begins advancing toward Richmond to engageLee's Army of Northern Virginia, now numbering 64,000, beginning a warof attrition that will include major battles at the Wilderness (May 5-6),Spotsylvania (May 8-12), and Cold Harbor (June 1-3). In the west, Sherman, with 100,000 men begins an advance toward Atlantato engage Joseph E. Johnston's 60,000 strong Army of Tennessee.  Acouncil of war with Gen. Grant leaning over the shoulder of Gen. Meadelooking at a map, planning the Cold Harbor assault. Cold Harbor June 3, 1864 - A costly mistakeby Grant results in7,000 Union casualties in twenty minutes during an offensive against fortifiedRebels at Cold Harbor in Virginia.Many of the Union soldiers in the failed assault had predicted the outcome,including a dead soldier from Massachusetts whose last entry in his diarywas, "June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia. I was killed." June 15, 1864 - Union forces missan opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off the Confederate rail lines.As a result, a nine month siege of Petersburg begins with Grant's forcessurrounding Lee.  The13-inch Union mortar "Dictator" mounted on a railroad flatcarat Petersburg. Its 200-pound shells had a range of over 2 miles. July 20, 1864 - At Atlanta, Sherman'sforces battle the Rebels now under the command of Gen. JohnB. Hood, who replaced Johnston. Aug 29, 1864 - Democrats nominateGeorge B. McClellan for president to run against Republican incumbent AbrahamLincoln. Sept 2, 1864 - Atlantais captured by Sherman'sArmy. "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won," Sherman telegraphs Lincoln.The victory greatly helps President Lincoln's bid for re-election. Oct 19, 1864 - A decisive Unionvictory by Cavalry Gen. PhilipH. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley over Jubal Early's troops.Nov 8, 1864 - Abraham Lincoln isre-elected president, defeating Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln carriesall but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233electoral votes. "I earnestly believe that the consequences of thisday's work will be to the lasting advantage, if not the very salvation,of the country," Lincoln tells supporters. March to the Sea Nov 15, 1864 - After destroyingAtlanta's warehouses and railroadfacilities, Sherman, with 62,000 men begins a March to the Sea. PresidentLincoln on advice from Grant approved the idea. "I can make Georgiahowl!" Sherman boasts. Dec 15/16, 1864 - Hood's Rebel Armyof 23,000 is crushed at Nashvilleby 55,000 Federals including Negro troops under Gen. GeorgeH. Thomas. The Confederate Army of Tennessee ceases as an effectivefighting force. Dec 21, 1864 - Sherman reaches Savannahin Georgia leaving behind a 300 mile long path of destruction 60 mileswide all the way from Atlanta. Sherman then telegraphs Lincoln, offeringhim Savannah as a Christmas present. 1865 Jan 31, 1865- The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United StatesConstitution, to abolish slavery. The amendment is then submitted to thestates for ratification. Feb 3, 1865 - A peace conferenceoccurs as President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice PresidentAlexander Stephens at HamptonRoads in Virginia, but the meeting ends in failure - the war will continue.Only Lee's Army at Petersburg and Johnston's forces in North Carolinaremain to fight for the South against Northern forces now numbering 280,000men. March 4, 1865 - Inauguration ceremoniesfor President Lincoln in Washington. "With malice toward none; withcharity for all...let us strive on to finish the work we are in...to doall which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves,and with all nations," Lincoln says. March 25, 1865 - The last offensivefor Lee's Army of Northern Virginia begins with an attack on the centerof Grant's forces at Petersburg. Four hours later the attack is broken. AtPetersburg, Virginia, well supplied Union soldiers shown before Grant'sspring offensive. April 2, 1865 - Grant's forces begin a general advance and break through Lee's lines at Petersburg. Confederate Gen. Ambrose P. Hill is killed. Lee evacuates Petersburg. The Confederate Capital, Richmond, is evacuated. Fires and looting break out. The next day, Union troops enter and raise the Stars and Stripes.  A Confederate boy, age 14, lies dead in the trenches of Fort Mahone at Petersburg.April 4, 1865 - President Lincolntours Richmond where he entersthe Confederate White House.With "a serious, dreamy expression," he sits at the desk of JeffersonDavis for a few moments. Lee Surrenders April 9, 1865 - Gen. Robert E. Leesurrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grantat the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Grant allows Rebelofficers to keep their sidearms and permits soldiers to keep horses andmules. "After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courageand fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yieldto overwhelming numbers and resources," Lee tells his troops.  GeneralLee surrendered in the parlor of this house.  Leeposed for this photo by Mathew Brady shortly after the surrender. April 10, 1865 - Celebrations breakout in Washington.  Finalportrait of a war weary president - April 10, 1865 Lincoln Shot April 14, 1865 - The Stars and Stripesis ceremoniously raised over Fort Sumter. That night, Lincoln and his wifeMary see the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater. At10:13 p.m., during the third act of the play, John Wilkes Booth shootsthe president in the head. Doctors attend to the president in the theaterthen move him to a house across the street. He never regains consciousness.April 15, 1865 - President AbrahamLincoln dies at 7:22 in the morning. Vice President AndrewJohnson assumes the presidency. April 18, 1865 - Confederate Gen.Joseph E. Johnston surrenders to Sherman near Durham in North Carolina. FuneralProcession on Pennsylvania Ave. - April 19, 1865 April 26, 1865 - John Wilkes Boothis shot and killed in a tobacco barn in Virginia. May 4, 1865 - Abraham Lincoln islaid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, outside Springfield, Illinois. In May - Remaining Confederate forcessurrender. The Nation is reunited as the Civil War ends. Over 620,000 Americansdied in the war, with disease killing twice as many as those lost in battle.50,000 survivors return home as amputees.  Avictory parade is held in Washington along Pennsylvania Ave. to help boostthe Nation's morale - May 23/24, 1865. Dec 6, 1865 - The Thirteenth Amendmentto the United States Constitution, passed by Congress on January 31, 1865,is finally ratified. Slavery is abolished. Copyright © 1996 The History Place™ All Rights Reserved Visit our Lincoln Timeline [ The History Place Main Page | Text Only Index | American Revolution | Abraham Lincoln | Child Labor in America 1908-1912 | U.S. in World War II in the Pacific | John F. 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