CHRONOLOGY

1861

  • Fort Sumter attacked.

  • Four Upper South states join Confederacy.

  • First battle of Bull Run (Manassas) fought.

  • First Confiscation Act passes.

    • 1862

  • Grant captures Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.

  • Battle of Glorieta Pass fought.

  • Battle of Pea Ridge fought.

  • Battle of Shiloh fought.

  • Confederate Congress authorizes draft.

  • Homestead Act passes.

  • Virginia peninsula campaign waged.

  • Second Confiscation Act passes.

  • Militia Act passes.

  • Battle of Antietam fought.

    • 1863

  • Emancipation Proclamation announced.

  • National Banking Act passes.

  • Congress authorizes draft.

  • Vicksburg falls to Union forces.

  • Lee defeated at battle of Gettysburg.

  • New York City draft riots erupt.

    • 1864

  • Grant appointed Union general in chief.

  • Wilderness campaign launches.

  • Atlanta falls to Union forces.

  • Lincoln reelected.

  • Savannah falls to Union forces.

    • 1865

  • Petersburg and Richmond fall to Union forces.

  • Lee surrenders to Grant.

  • Lincoln assassinated; Vice President Andrew Johnson becomes president.