Fort Sumter:
First Battle of Bull Run:
Monitor vs Merrimack:
Date: March 8, 1862
Location: Norfolk, VA (Hampton Roads) Details: The South had covered an abandoned Northern ship with iron in an effort to break the Union blockade. The North countered with their own ironclad. The ships fought to a draw, but it is considered a Union victory because they managed to keep the south in the harbour. |
Battle of Shiloh:
Capture of New Orleans:
Battle of Antietam:
Date: September 17, 1862
Location: Antietam Creek, MD Details: Due to General McClellan's hesitation, the north was attacked by Lee's forces. The North was able to hold off on the bloodiest single day battle of the war. The hesitation by McClellan caused Lincoln to replace him. He also convinced Lincoln to write/issue the Emancipation Proclamation. |
Emancipation Proclamation:
Date: January 1, 1863
Location: Washington D.C. Details: Lincoln understood that taking a stand against slavery would make Britain & France less likely to aid the South. The EP freed all the slaves within any states in rebellion against the US. This allowed African-Americans to join the military & led to the 13th Amendment. |
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville:
Fredericksburg...
Date: December 13, 1862 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Details: At Fredericksburg, Gen. Burnside mistakenly thought he could charge up a hill & overtake the Confederates. The Union suffered heavy losses and Burnside resigned as General. Chancellorsville... Date: May 3, 1863 Location: Chancellorsville, VA Details: At Chancellorsville the Confederates scored another victory but at a high cost. General Stonewall Jackson was shot and died 8 days later. |
The Siege of Vicksburg:
Date: May 18-July 4, 1863
Location: Vicksburg, MS Details: Over 9 months, Grant led a siege on Vicksburg, finally gaining a victory on July 4, 1863. The North now gained control of the Mississippi River, thus splitting the Confederacy in 2. Following this victory President Lincoln named Grant, Commander of the US Army. |
Battle of Gettysburg:
Date: July 1-4, 1863
Location: Gettysburg, PA Details: Northern & Southern forces met by accident. The first 2 days saw the South push the North back to Cemetery Ridge. On the 3rd day Lee sent General Pickett over the ridge where they were easy targets for the North. The South had to retreat in the end. The failed charge is known as Pickett's Charge. |
Sherman's March to the Sea:
Surrender at Appomattox:
Date: April 9, 1865
Location: Appomattox Court House, VA Details: After a long battle in Petersburg, Grant broke the Southern lines. On April 2nd, 1865, Union forces took control of Richmond VA. Lee tried to resist the capture but he had no choice other than to retreat, thus a surrender. The terms for the surrender were addressed in the Appomattox court house. |
Lincoln's Assassination:
Date: April 14, 1865
Location: Washington D.C. Details: Just 5 days after the surrender of Lee's army, Lincoln was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth. Booth was a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer. While Lincoln was watching a show, he slipped into the presidential box and shot him in the back of the head. The following morning, he perished after hours of trying to heal the wound. |