A timeline of the Civil War
The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, was a pivotal event in the nation’s history. This article provides a comprehensive timeline of the Civil War, highlighting key dates and significant events that shaped the course of this tumultuous period.
1861
– April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina.
– April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion.
– May 10, 1861: Virginia votes to secede from the Union, followed by Tennessee, North Carolina, and Arkansas.
1862
– January 1, 1862: The Emancipation Proclamation is issued, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are free.
– February 7, 1862: The Union captures Fort Donelson in Tennessee, leading to the surrender of 12,000 Confederate soldiers.
– March 8, 1862: The Union captures New Orleans, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.
– June 25-27, 1862: The Battle of Seven Pines in Virginia, a major Union victory.
1863
– January 1, 1863: The 13th Amendment is proposed by the Thirteenth Congress, declaring the abolition of slavery.
– April 9, 1863: The Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia, a Confederate victory.
– May 23, 1863: The Union captures Vicksburg, Mississippi, securing control of the Mississippi River.
– July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, one of the bloodiest battles in American history, resulting in a Union victory.
1864
– March 10, 1864: Ulysses S. Grant is appointed as the Union’s General-in-Chief.
– May 5-7, 1864: The Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia, a costly Union victory.
– June 18-26, 1864: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia, another costly Union victory.
– July 18-20, 1864: The Battle of Petersburg in Virginia, leading to the eventual fall of Richmond.
1865
– April 9, 1865: Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.
– April 14, 1865: President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
– April 26, 1865: President Lincoln’s funeral procession in Washington, D.C.
The American Civil War was a defining moment in the nation’s history, reshaping the social, political, and economic landscape. This timeline serves as a reminder of the significant events and milestones that contributed to the outcome of this pivotal conflict.
