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Pre-war: Key Events

1854

May 30 Kansas-Nebraska Act

1859

Oct 16 John Brown raids Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia)
  18 U.S. Marines storm engine house at Harpers Ferry VA (now WV) and capture John Brown

1860

Nov 6 Abraham Lincoln elected 16th President of the United States
  10 Both South Carolina Senators resign seats in the U.S. Senate
  18 Georgia legislature votes $1,000,000 to arm the state
Dec 20 South Carolina secedes from the Union
  26 Union Maj. Robert Anderson evacuates Ft. Moultrie for Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor

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1861: Key Events

1861

Jan 2 South Carolina troops seize old Fort Johnson in Charleston Harbor
  3 Georgia state troops seize Fort Pulaski
  4 Alabama state troops seize the U.S. Arsenal at Mount Vernon, Alabama
  5 U.S. Senators from seven southern states meet in Washington D.C. to discuss secession
  6 The state of Florida takes over the Apalachicola Arsenal
  7 Mississippi and Alabama State Conventions meet to discuss secession
  8 Jacob Thompson of Mississippi, Sec. of Interior & last Southerner in Cabinet, resigns
  9 Mississippi secedes from the Union
    Star of the West fails to relieve Fort Sumter
  10 Florida secedes from the Union
  11 Alabama secedes from the Union
  14 Fed. troops occupy Fort Taylor at Key West to prevent seizure by state forces
  16 Crittenden Compromise killed in the U.S. Senate
  19 Georgia secedes from the Union
  20 Mississippi state troops take over Ship Island in the Gulf off Mississippi
  24 Georgia state troops take over the U.S. Arsenal at Augusta
  26 Louisiana secedes from the Union
Feb 1 Texas secedes from the Union
  4 Delegates from seceded states meet to establish the Confederate government
  8 The convention of seceded states adopts a Provisional Constitution
  9 Jefferson Davis elected provisional Confederate President
  12 Provisional Confederate Congress establishes Peace Commission to stop war with U.S.
  16 Texas state troops seize the U.S. Arsenal at San Antonio
  18 Jefferson Davis inaugurated as provisional President of the C.S.A.
  19 Louisiana State troops seize the U.S. paymaster's office in New Orleans
  23 President-elect Lincoln arrives in Washington, D.C.
Mar 4 Abraham Lincoln becomes 16th President of the United States
  15 Lincoln meets with his Cabinet to decide whether or not to provision Fort Sumter
Apr 11 Confederates demand surrender of Fort Sumter
  12 Confederates in Charleston bombard Ft. Sumter
  13 Fort Sumter, South Carolina surrenders
  17 Virginia secedes from the Union
  19 Lincoln declares blockade of ports from SC to TX
    Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) taken
    Pratt Street Riots in Baltimore, Maryland
  20 Federals evacuate Norfolk, Virginia and Gosport Navy Yard
  21 Slave ship Nightingale captured by USS Saratoga
  22 Robert E. Lee becomes commander of Virginia forces
  23 Affair at San Antonio, Texas
  30 New York Yacht Club offers their vessels to the Federal government
May 3 Lincoln calls for volunteers to join the army for a three-year term
  6 Arkansas and Tennessee secede from the Union
  13 U.S. troops move to occupy Baltimore, Maryland
  20 North Carolina secedes from the Union and Kentucky declares neutrality
    Richmond, Virginia is named the new Confederate capital
  24 Zouave leader Elmer Ellsworth killed in Alexandria, Virginia by James Jackson
    Federal troops seize Alexandria, Virginia
Jun 1 Skirmish at Fairfax Court House, Virginia
  2 General P.G.T. Beauregard takes command of Confederate forces in northern Virginia
  10 Engagement at Big Bethel, Virginia
  16 Balloon demonstration in Washington, D.C.
  17 Engagement at Boonville, Missouri
    Action at Vienna and Aldie Virginia
Jul 5 Engagement at Carthage, Missouri
  7 Skirmish at Laurel Hill, Virginia (now West Virginia)
  11 Engagement at Rich Mountain, Virginia (now West Virginia)
  18 Engagement at Blackburn's Ford, Virginia
  21 War's first major battle erupts at Manassas (Bull Run), VA
  25 Maj. Gen. McClellan appointed first commander of the Union force
  26 Federals evacuate Fort Fillmore, New Mexico Territory
  27 George McClellan put in command of the Federal Division of the Potomac
    Union Maj. Isaac Lynde surrenders command at San Augustine Springs, NM Territory
  31 Ulysses S. Grant promoted to brigadier general
Aug 2 First national income tax passed by the United States Congress
  3 Balloon ascension by John LaMountain at Hampton Roads, Virginia
  10 Battle of Wilson's Creek (Oak Hill), Missouri
  12 Confederates ambushed by Mescalero Apaches in Big Bend country south of Ft. Davis TX
  14 Soldiers of the 79th New York mutiny near Washington, D.C.
  28 Capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark, North Carolina
  30 John Charles Fremont issues unofficial Emancipation Proclamation in Missouri
Sep 3 Confederate troops enter Kentucky, ending the state's neutral status
  5 Skirmish at Papinsville, Missouri
  6 Federal forces seize Paducah, Kentucky
  10 Engagement at Carnifex Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia)
  11 Campaign of Cheat Mountain, Virginia (now West Virginia)
  12 Siege of Lexington, Missouri begins
  20 Union garrison surrenders Lexington, Missouri
  26 Skirmish near Fort Thorn, New Mexico Territory
Oct 3 Engagement at Camp Bartow, Greenbrier River, Virginia (now West Virginia)
  9 Engagement on Santa Rosa Island, Florida
  12 First ironclad in the U.S. Navy, USS St. Louis, launched at Carondelet, Maryland
  21 Battle of Ball's Bluff (Leesburg), Virginia
  24 Western Union completes the first trans-continental telegraph line
  25 Union Major Charles Zagonyi's "famous" charge into Springfield, Missouri
  31 Remnant of the Missouri legislature votes to join the Confederacy
Nov 1 George McClellan replaces Lt. General Winfield Scott as general-in-chief of U.S. Army
  2 General John C. Fremont fired by Lincoln as commander of the Western Department
  7 Engagement at Belmont, Missouri
  8 Confederate emissary to England removed from British vessel, initiating Trent Affair
  9 Engagement at Ivy Mountain, Kentucky
  12 Blockade Runner Fingal, bought by Confederates in England, arrives in Savannah
  16 Captured Confederate ambassadors to England delivered to MA, threatening U.S. foreign relations
  21 Judah P. Benjamin named Confederate Secretary of War
  22 Union begins bombardment of Confederate Fort McRee in Pensacola, Florida
  28 Missouri admitted to the Confederacy despite never officially seceding from the Union
Dec 8 CSS Sumter seizes Northern merchant ship Eben Dodge in the mid-Atlantic
  9 Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War established by the U.S. Senate
    Engagement at Chusto-Talasah (Bird Creek), Indian Territory (now Oklahoma)
  11 Disastrous fire in Charleston, South Carolina
  23 Skirmish at Dayton, Missouri
  26 United States releases Mason and Slidell, ending Trent affair
    Engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma)
  27 Skirmish at Hallsville, Missouri
  30 U.S. government suspends the use of gold and silver for redeeming paper money

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1862: Key Events

1862

Jan 10 Engagement at Middle Creek, Kentucky
  15 Edwin M. Stanton confirmed as U.S. Secretary of War
  16 Edwin M. Stanton takes over as U.S. Secretary of War
  18 Confederate territory of Arizona formed
  19 Battle of Mill Springs (Logan's Cross Roads), Kentucky
  22 Bombardment of Fort Henry, Tennessee by USS Lexington
  30 USS Monitor launched at Greenpoint, Long Island, New York
Feb 3 President Lincoln refuses an offer from the King of Siam to send war elephants
  6 Surrender of Fort Henry, Tennessee
  8 Battle of Roanoke Island, North Carolina
  10 Federal forces destroyed the Confederate "Mosquito" fleet at Elizabeth City, NC
  14 Union ironclad gunboats attack Fort Donelson, Tennessee
  15 All-out Confederate attack at Fort Donelson, Tennessee
  16 Ft. Donelson unconditionally surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant
  21 Battle of Val Verde, New Mexico Territory
  22 Jefferson Davis inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America
  23 Federal troops occupy Fayetteville, Arkansas
  25 Federal troops occupy Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 3 Siege of New Madrid, Missouri begins
  7 Battle of Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern), Arkansas
  8 CSS Virginia engages and destroys USS Cumberland and USS Congress
  9 USS Monitor and CSS Virginia battle at Hampton Roads, VA
  11 Lincoln relieves McClellan from position as General-in-Chief of the Federal Armies
  14 New Bern, North Carolina captured
    Union forces capture New Madrid, Missouri
  18 George W. Randolph named Confederate Secretary of War
  23 Battle of First Kernstown, Virginia
  24 Riot at abolition meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio
  26 Engagement at Apache Canyon, New Mexico Territory
  28 Battle at Glorieta Pass, New Mexico Territory
Apr 4 Federal ironclad gunboat runs the batteries at Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River
  5 Siege of Yorktown, Virginia begins
  6 Battle of Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing), Tennessee begins
  10 Lincoln approves resolution calling for gradual emancipation of slaves
  11 Surrender of Fort Pulaski, Georgia
  16 Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia
  18 Bombardment begins at Ft. Jackson and Ft. St. Philip, 70 miles below New Orleans, LA
  24 Federal fleet passes forts below New Orleans, Louisiana
  25 Bombardment and surrender of Fort Macon, North Carolina
  29 Union "army group" advances on Corinth, Mississippi
May 5 Battle of Williamsburg, Virginia
  7 Engagement at West Point (Eltham's Landing), Virginia
  8 Battle of McDowell, Virginia
  9 Confederates evacuate Norfolk, Virginia
    Bombardment of Pensacola, Florida
  10 Naval engagement at Plum Run Bend, Arkansas
  15 Battle of Drewrys Bluff, Virginia
  20 Lincoln signs the Homestead Act
  23 Engagement at Front Royal, Virginia
  25 Battle of First Winchester, Virginia
  26 Skirmish at Calico Rock, Arkansas
  30 Confederates evacuate Corinth, Mississippi
  31 Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks), Virginia
Jun 1 General Robert E. Lee takes command of the Army of Northern Virginia
  3 Evacuation of Fort Pillow, Tennessee
  4 Southern planters burn cotton shipments on Yazoo River to keep them from Union hands
  6 Battle of Memphis, Tennessee
  7 William Mumford hanged in New Orleans for destroying the U.S. flag
  8 Battle of Cross Keys, Virginia
  9 Battle of Port Republic, Virginia
  12 J.E.B. Stuart begins his "Ride Around McClellan"
  13 Federals, after a brief skirmish, occupy Romney, Virginia (now West Virginia)
    Skirmish at New Market, Virginia
  16 Engagement at Secessionville, South Carolina
  19 Lincoln signs a law prohibiting slavery in the Western territories
  25 Seven Days Battles begin at Oak Grove (French's Field), Virginia
  26 Battle of Mechanicsville, Ellerson's Mill, (Beaver Dam Creek), Virginia
  27 Battle of Gaines' Mill (First Cold Harbor), Virginia
  28 Passage of Vicksburg batteries by Flag Officer D.G. Farragut's deep water fleet
    Action at Garnett's and Golding's Farms, Virginia
  29 Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia
  30 Battle of Glendale (Frayser's Farm), Virginia
Jul 1 Battle of Malvern Hill, Virginia
  2 Morrill Land Grant Act approved by President Lincoln
  12 Morgan's Confederate raiders capture Lebanon, KY on their first raid
  13 Garrison at Murfreesboro, TN captured by Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest
  14 Secession of the western counties of Virginia recognized by senate as state of WV
  15 CSS Arkansas sorties from Yazoo River and passes the combined Union fleets
  16 Confederate representative meets with Napoleon III of France to discuss foreign aid
  22 President Lincoln presents the Emancipation Proclamation to the Cabinet
  29 Belle Boyd, Confederate spy, captured
Aug 5 Engagement at Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  6 CSS Arkansas scuttled near Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  9 Battle of Cedar Mountain (Slaughter Mountain), Virginia
  10 Affair on Nueces River, Texas
  11 Confederate partisans capture Independence, Missouri
  13 Skirmish on Yellow Creek, Missouri
  15 Skirmish at Clarendon, Arkansas
  17 Sioux uprising begins in southwest Minnesota
  19 Federal raid on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad
  22 Affair at Catlett's Station, Virginia
  24 CSS Alabama commissioned at sea off Portugal's Azore Islands
  27 Stonewall Jackson captures and plunders Union supply depot at Manassas Junction, VA
  28 Battle of Brawner's Farm (Groveton), Virginia
  29 Battle of Second Manassas (Bull Run), Virginia begins
  30 Battle of Richmond, Kentucky
Sep 1 Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill), Virginia
  2 Union General George B. McClellan restored to command in Virginia
  9 Skirmish at Barnesville, Maryland
  13 Federal soldiers near Frederick, Maryland find Lee's Special Order No. 191
  14 Battle of South Mountain Gaps, Maryland
    Attack on Munfordville, Kentucky
  15 Capture of Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia)
  17 Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), Maryland
    Munfordville, Kentucky surrenders
    Union forces evacuate Cumberland Gap, Tennessee/Kentucky
  19 Battle of Shepherdstown, WV
    Battle of Iuka, Mississippi
  20 Fighting at Shepherdstown (Boteler's Ford), Virginia (now West Virginia)
  21 Citizens of San Francisco, CA contribute $100,000 for relief of Federal wounded
  25 Fighting at Snow's Pond and Ashbyburg, Kentucky
  27 First Federal regiment of black soldiers mustered in at New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct 1 Skirmish near Sharpsburg, Maryland
  3 Battle of Corinth, Mississippi
  4 Newly appointed Post Master General William Denison joins cabinet
  8 Battle of Perryville (Chaplin Hills), Kentucky
  10 Davis asked Virginia to draft 4,500 blacks to complete fortifications at Richmond
    Fighting at Harrodsburg and Danville Cross Roads, Kentucky
  11 Skirmish near Helena, Arkansas
  15 Skirmish at Neely's Bend on the Cumberland River in Tennessee
  18 Garrison captured at Lexington, Kentucky in Morgan's Raid
  22 Skirmish at Fort Wayne, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma)
  24 Union Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans replaces Maj. Gen. Buell as commander of Army of OH
  29 Skirmish at Island Mound, MO--first time U.S. Colored Troops fight as organized unit
Nov 5 Lincoln replaces McClellan with Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac
  21 James A. Seddon replaces George W. Randolph as Confederate Secretary of War
  28 Engagement at Cane Hill, Arkansas
Dec 2 Skirmish at Leed's Ferry on Virginia's Rappahannock River
  4 Fighting at Cane Hill, Arkansas
  5 Engagement at Coffeeville, Mississippi
  7 Engagement at Hartsville, Tennessee
    Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas
  11 Federals occupy Fredericksburg, Virginia
  12 USS Cairo sunk on the Yazoo River, Mississippi
  13 Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia
  18 Skirmish at Lexington, Tennessee
  20 Confederate cavalry led by General Earl Van Dorn raids Holly Springs, Mississippi
  22 Confederate cavalry crosses Cumberland River to begin Christmas Raid Kentucky
  27 Skirmish at Dumfries, Virginia
  29 Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi
  31 Battle of Stones River near Murfreesboro Tennessee
    Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's clash at Parker's Cross Roads, TN

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1863: Key Events

1863

Jan 1 Emancipation Proclamation signed
  2 Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro), Tennessee concludes
  10 Engagement of Post of Arkansas (Fort Hindman), Arkansas
  11 Post of Arkansas (Fort Hindman) surrenders
  12 Skirmish at Lick Creek, Arkansas
  17 Lincoln signs resolution for immediate payment of troops & calls for currency reform
  22 Union General Ambrose Burnside's "mud march" ends in failure
  25 U.S. Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker takes command of the Union Army of the Potomac
  31 Confederate ironclads temporarily break the blockade in Charleston Harbor
Feb 3 Union General William T. Sherman begins Meridian Campaign in Mississippi
  7 Skirmish at Olive Branch Church, Virginia
  13 Skirmish near Washington, North Carolina
  15 Skirmishes at Arkadelphia, Arkansas
  26 Attack at Woodburn, Tennessee
    The Cherokee Indian National Council leaves the Confederacy to join the Union
  27 Skirmish on the Hatchie River in Tennessee
Mar 3 Abraham Lincoln signs first Conscription Act
  11 Confederates block Union attempt to bypass Fort Pemberton along the Mississippi River
  14 Confederate batteries at Port Hudson fire on Union squadron sinking USS Mississippi
  17 Engagement at Kelly's Ford, Virginia
  24 Union amphibious expedition skirmishes with Confederates, Steele's Bayou, Mississippi
  26 West Virginia votes for gradual emancipation in the state
  27 Skirmish at Palatka, Florida
Apr 7 Naval attack on Charleston, South Carolina
  11 Siege of Suffolk, Virginia by Confederates begins
  17 Union Colonel Grierson's Raid from La Grange, Tennessee to Baton Rouge, LA begins
  21 Generals Jones and Imboden begin Confederate raid on the B&O Railroad, VA (now WV)
  24 Confederate government passes a tax in-kind on one-tenth of all produce
May 1 Battle of Chancellorsville begins near Fredericksburg, Virginia
    Battle of Port Gibson, Mississippi
  3 Second Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia
  4 Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia continues with the Battle of Salem Church
  10 Death of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
  14 Engagement at Jackson, Mississippi
  16 Battle of Champion Hill (Baker's Creek), Mississippi
  17 Battle of Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi
  19 First assault on Vicksburg, Mississippi
  21 Engagement at Plains Store, Louisiana
  22 Second assault on Vicksburg, Mississippi
  23 Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana
  27 First assault on Port Hudson, Louisiana
Jun 7 Battle of Milliken's Bend, Louisiana
  9 Battle of Brandy Station (Fleetwood Heights), Virginia
  14 Second assault on Port Hudson, Louisiana
    Battle of Second Winchester, Virginia
  15 Battle of Stephenson's Depot, Virginia
  17 Engagement in Warsaw Sound, Georgia
  20 West Virginia joins the Union as the 35th state
  23 Tullahoma Campaign begins in Middle Tennessee
  28 U.S. Maj. Gen. George Meade replaces Joseph Hooker as head of the Army of the Potomac
Jul 1 Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania begins
  2 Morgan's raiders cross the Cumberland River near Burkesville, Kentucky
    Second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, heavy fighting in The Wheatfield.
  3 Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania concludes
    Skirmish at Donaldsonville, Louisiana
  4 Lee's forces begin to retreat from Gettysburg
    Confederates surrender Vicksburg, Mississippi
  5 Engagement at Birdsong Ferry, Mississippi
  6 Skirmish at Williamsport and Hagerstown, Maryland
  8 General John Hunt Morgan crosses the Ohio River into Indiana at Brandenburg, Kentucky
    Surrender of Port Hudson, Louisiana
  10 Siege of Fort Wagner, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina begins
    Action at Falling Waters, Maryland
  11 First assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina
  13 Draft riots in New York City
  17 Engagement at Honey Springs, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma)
  18 Assault on Battery Wagner, led by the 54th Massachusetts
  19 Engagement at Buffington Island on the Ohio River
  23 Skirmish at Manassas Gap, Virginia
  26 John Hunt Morgan captured at Salineville, Ohio
  29 Queen Victoria reconfirms British policy of neutrality
Aug 1 Federal cavalry advance from Witteburg on a campaign to capture Little Rock, Arkansas
  8 Robert E. Lee offers to resign as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
  17 Federals begin bombardment of Fort Sumter, SC as siege of Fort Wagner continues
  26 Engagement at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
  27 Skirmish at Bayou Meto (Reed's Bridge), Arkansas
Sep 5 Laird Rams detained at Liverpool, England by Her Majesty's government
  6 Confederates evacuate Fort Wagner and Morris Island, South Carolina
  8 Confederates repulse attack at Sabine Pass (Fort Griffin), Texas
  9 Federal army enters Chattanooga, Tennessee
  10 Little Rock, Arkansas captured by Union Forces
  15 Lincoln suspends writ of habeas corpus
  18 Skirmish at Bristol in east Tennessee
    Confederates force their way across Chickamauga Creek
  19 Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia
  22 Day two of the Battle of Chickamauga, Union troops retreat to Chattanooga, TN
Oct 5 Torpedo attack on USS New Ironsides outside Charleston Harbor, South Carolina
  9 Bristoe Station Campaign begins in Virginia
  14 Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia
  16 U.S. Grant named to command Union Military Division of the Mississippi
  17 Lincoln calls for 300,000 additional volunteers to join the army
  19 Cavalry engagement known as the Buckland Races, Virginia
  20 Skirmish at Warm Springs, North Carolina
  26 Fight at King's House near Waynesville, Missouri
  28 Engagement at Wauhatchie, Tennessee
  29 Fighting at Warsaw and Ozark, Missouri
Nov 3 Engagement at Grand Coteau (Bayou Bourdeau), Louisiana
  4 Knoxville Campaign Begins
  7 Battle of Rappahannock Station, Virginia
  17 Battle of Campbell's Station, Tennessee
  18 Longstreet lays siege of Knoxville, Tennessee
  19 President Lincoln delivers the "Gettysburg Address"
  20 Edward Everett sends complimentary letter to Lincoln on his address at Gettysburg
  23 Battle of Orchard Knob begins near Chattanooga, Tennessee
  24 Battle of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
  25 Battle of Missionary Ridge, Tennessee
  26 Mine Run Campaign begins in Virginia
  27 Engagement at Payne's Farm, Virginia
  29 Assault on Fort Sanders, Tennessee
  30 Gen. Braxton Bragg resigns from command of Army of Tennessee
Dec 1 Mine Run Campaign concludes in Virginia
  3 Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee concludes
  8 Lincoln issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
  14 Engagement at Bean's Station, Tennessee
  16 Skirmish at Salem, Virginia
  21 Skirmish at Hunter's Mill, Virginia
  23 Fight at Culpeper Court House, Virginia

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1864: Key Events

1864

Jan 11 Rosser's Raid in West Virginia
  18 Skirmish at Grand Gulf, Mississippi
  23 Skirmish near Newport, Tennessee
  27 Engagement of Fair Gardens (Kelly's Ford), Tennessee
  28 Operations around New Bern, North Carolina
  29 Cavalry skirmish at Medley, West Virginia
Feb 2 Southern navy captures U.S. gunboat Underwriter but is forced to burn and flee
  11 Skirmish at Lake City, Florida
  14 Federal troops capture Meridian, Mississippi
  17 Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sinks USS Housatonic
  20 Battle of Olustee (Ocean Pond), Florida
  22 Engagement at Okolona, Mississippi
  24 Skirmish near Canton, Mississippi
  25 Engagement at Buzzard's Roost, Georgia
  28 Kilpatrick's Raid on Richmond begins
  29 George Custer's cavalry fights skirmishes during a raid on Albemarle County, VA
Mar 1 Federal cavalry raid by Judson Kilpatrick and Ulric Dahlgren on Richmond, Virginia
  5 Confederate gov. orders all vessels to give half freight capacity to gov. shipments
  9 U.S. Grant promoted to Lieutenant General
  12 Red River Expedition begins in Louisiana
  20 Confederate raider CSS Alabama arrives at Cape Town, South Africa
  21 Nevada and Colorado territories admitted into the Union
  22 Fighting at Bald Spring Canon on Eel River, California
  25 Attack on Paducah, Kentucky by Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest
Apr 8 Battle of Mansfield (Sabine Crossroads), Louisiana (Red River Expedition)
  9 Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana (Red River Expedition)
  12 Capture of Fort Pillow, Tennessee by Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest
  20 Plymouth, North Carolina captured
  22 The motto "In God We Trust" first stamped on U.S. coins
  23 Engagement of Cane River Crossing, Louisiana (Red River Expedition)
  25 Action at Mark's Mills, Arkansas on Steele's Camden Expedition
  26 Union fleet trapped by low water on the Red River near Alexandria, Louisiana
  30 Engagement at Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas on Steele's Camden Expedition
May 5 Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia
  6 Day two of Battle of Wilderness, Gen. James Longstreet is seriously wounded in combat
  7 Sherman begins his Atlanta campaign
  8 Engagement at Dug Gap, Georgia
    Battle of Spotsylvania, Virginia
  9 Engagement at Swift Creek, Virginia
  11 Battle of Yellow Tavern, Virginia on Sheridan's Richmond Raid
  12 Battle of Spotsylvania, Virginia continues with the fight for the Bloody Angle
    Death of J.E.B. Stuart
  14 Battle of Resaca, Georgia begins
  15 Battle of New Market, Virginia
  18 Engagement at Yellow Bayou (Bayou de Glaize), Louisiana (Red River Expedition)
  23 Battle of North Anna River, Virginia
  25 Battle of New Hope Church, Georgia
  27 Battle of Pickett's Mill, Georgia
  28 Skirmish near Jacksonville, Florida
    Battle of Dallas, Georgia
  29 Confederates capture wagon train at Salem, Arkansas
  31 Combat at Bethesda Church, Virginia
Jun 1 Major Union attack at Cold Harbor, Virginia
  3 All-out Union assault at Cold Harbor, Virginia
  5 Battle at Piedmont, Virginia
  6 Engagement at Lake Chicot (Dutch Bayou), Arkansas
  8 Abraham Lincoln nominated for a second term as U.S. President
  10 Battle of Brice's Cross Roads (Guntown), Mississippi
  11 Skirmish at Pine Mountain, Georgia
    Battle of Trevilian Station, Virginia
  15 First attack on Petersburg, Virginia
  19 USS Kearsarge sinks CSS Alabama near France
  21 Christopher Memminger resigns as Confederate Secretary of the Treasury
  22 Skirmish at Ream's Station, Virginia on Wilson's Raid
    Battle of Kolb's Farm (Culp's Farm), Georgia
  24 Maryland abolishes slavery
  27 Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia
Jul 9 Battle of Monocacy, Maryland
  12 Early's raid of Fort Stevens, DC
  14 Battle of Tupelo (Harrisburg), Mississippi
  17 Confederate General J.B. Hood replaces J. Johnston as commander of the Army of TN
  18 Battle of Cool Spring, Virginia
  20 Engagement at Rutherford's Farm, Virginia
    Battle of Peachtree Creek, Georgia
  22 Battle of Atlanta, Georgia
  24 Second Battle of Kernstown, Virginia
  28 Battle of Ezra Church, Georgia
  30 Capture and burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
    Battle of The Crater at Petersburg, Virginia
Aug 2 Cavalry skirmish at Hancock, Maryland
  4 Operations around Brazos Santiago, Texas
  5 Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama
  6 CSS Tallahassee departs Wilmington, North Carolina on a 3-week cruise
  7 Engagement at Moorefield, West Virginia
  9 Confederates detonate bomb aboard ship at City Point, Virginia
  16 Engagement at Guard Hill (Front Royal), Virginia
  18 Battle of Globe Tavern (Weldon Railroad), Virginia begins
  20 Cavalry combat at Lovejoy's Station on the Macon & Western Railroad in Georgia
  21 Battle of Globe Tavern (Weldon Railroad), Virginia concludes
    Skirmish at Summit Point, West Virginia
  23 Fort Morgan, at the entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama, falls to the Federals
  25 Second Battle of Reams' Station, Virginia
  31 Battle of Jonesborough, Georgia
    Union Gen. McClellan nominated for President by Democrat Party at Chicago convention
Sep 1 Confederates evacuate Atlanta, Georgia
  2 Federal Army enters Atlanta, Georgia
  4 John Hunt Morgan killed in Greeneville, Tennessee
  7 Evacuation of Atlanta citizens ordered by Union General William T. Sherman
  8 George McClellan accepts nomination as Democratic candidate for President
  16 Confederate General Wade Hampton's raid at Coggins Point (Great Cattle Road), VA
  19 Battle of Third Winchester (Opequon), Virginia
  22 Battle of Fisher's Hill, Virginia
  23 Skirmish at Athens, Alabama
  24 Battle of Pilot Knob (Fort Davidson), Missouri
  27 Massacre at Centralia, Missouri
  28 Skirmish at Decatur, Georgia
  29 Battle of Fort Harrison (Chaffin's Farm), Virginia
  30 Skirmish at Carter's Station, Tennessee
    Battle of Peebles' Farm, Virginia
Oct 2 Engagement at Saltville, Virginia
  5 Battle of Allatoona Pass, Georgia
  6 Cavalry engagement at Brock's Gap, Virginia
  7 Capture of CSS Florida by USS Wachusett at Bahia, Brazil
    Battle of Darbytown Road, Virginia
  9 Engagement at Tom's Brook, Virginia
  12 Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney dies in Washington, D.C.
  13 Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby robs train near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
  19 Battle of Cedar Creek (Belle Grove), Virginia
    Raid on St. Albans, Vermont
  22 Battle of Byram's Ford, Missouri
  23 Battle of Westport (Kansas City), Missouri
  25 Battle of Mine Creek (Marais Des Cygnes), Kansas
  27 Engagement at Fair Oaks and on Darbytown Road, Virginia
    Union navy uses "torpedo" to sink Confederate ironclad Albemarle at Plymouth, NC
    Battle of Boydton Plank Road (Burgess' Mill), Virginia
  30 Skirmish at Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Nov 2 Affair at Hazen's Farm near Devalls Bluff, Arkansas
  4 Engagement at Johnsonville, Tennessee
  8 Abraham Lincoln is re-elected President of the United States
  11 Battle of Bull's Gap, Tennessee
  15 William T. Sherman departs Atlanta on the March to the Sea, leaving Atlanta in ruins
  24 Skirmish at Columbia, Tennessee
  25 Confederates fail at attempt to set fire to New York City hotels and Barnum's Museum
  28 Rosser's Raid on New Creek near Keyser, West Virginia
  29 Col. J.M. Chivington leads Sand Creek Massacre in the Colorado Territory
    Battle of Spring Hill, Tennessee
  30 Battle of Franklin, Tennessee
    Engagement at Honey Hill, South Carolina
Dec 1 Union Gen. John Schofield's army evacuates Franklin and retreats to Nashville
  4 Engagement at Waynesborough, Georgia
  6 Salmon P. Chase named Chief Justice of the United States
  10 Federal Army arrives in front of Savannah, Georgia
  13 Storming of Fort McAllister, Georgia
  15 Battle of Nashville, Tennessee begins
  17 Action near Franklin, Tennessee
  19 Skirmish at Rutherford Creek, Tennessee
  20 Confederates evacuate Savannah, Georgia
  24 First attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina
  25 Federals abandon first attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina
  28 Engagement at Egypt, Mississippi

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1865: Key Events

1865

Jan 12 Francis Preston Blair Sr. attempts to negotiate peace with Jefferson Davis
  13 Second attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina begins
  15 Fort Fisher, North Carolina stormed
  23 Joseph E. Johnston opposes Sherman's march through the Carolinas
  31 U.S. House passes 13th Amendment abolishing slavery
Feb 1 Sherman's march through the Carolinas in "full swing"
  3 Union and Confederate officials meet to discuss peace
  5 Battle of Hatcher's Run (Armstrong's Mill), Virginia begins
  6 John C. Breckinridge named Confederate Secretary of War
  17 Evacuation of Charleston, South Carolina
    Columbia, South Carolina burned
  22 Wilmington, North Carolina captured
Mar 2 Engagement at Waynesboro, Virginia
  4 Abraham Lincoln inaugurated for second term as President
  6 Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida
    Lincoln appoints Hugh McCulloch as United States Secretary of the Treasury
  10 Battle of Kinston (Wise's Fork), North Carolina concludes
    Engagement at Monroe's Cross Roads, South Carolina
  13 Jefferson Davis signs law authorizing black men to serve in Confederate Army
  16 Battle of Averasborough, North Carolina
  18 Wilson's Raid on Selma, Alabama
    Confederate Congress adjourns
  19 Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina
  25 Battle at Fort Stedman, Virginia
    Siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama begins
  27 Lincoln meets with Generals U.S. Grant and William T. Sherman at City Point, Virginia
  29 Engagement at Lewis Farm, Virginia
    Appomattox Campaign begins
  30 Cavalry skirmish at Montevallo, Alabama during Wilson's Raid
  31 Battle of White Oak Road, Virginia
    Engagement at Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia
Apr 1 Battle of Five Forks, Virginia
  2 Confederate Government evacuates Richmond, Virginia
    Selma, Alabama assailed and captured
    Confederate lines at Petersburg breached and Fort Gregg stormed
  3 Richmond and Petersburg occupied by Federals
  4 Lincoln visits Richmond, Virginia
  6 Battle of Sayler's Creek (Sailor's Creek), Virginia
  7 Engagement at Cumberland Church, Virginia
    Engagement at High Bridge, Virginia
  8 Siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama concludes
  9 Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House
  12 Mobile, Alabama surrenders
  13 Skirmish at Raleigh, North Carolina
  14 United States flag raised over Fort Sumter, South Carolina
    Abraham Lincoln is shot at Ford's Theatre
  15 Abraham Lincoln dies- Andrew Johnson sworn in as President of the United States
  16 Capture of Columbus and West Point, Georgia
  18 Sherman and J. Johnston sign armistice at Durham Station, NC
  26 John Wilkes Booth captured and killed in the Garrett Barn, Port Royal, Virginia
    Gen. Joseph Johnston surrenders to Gen. William T. Sherman at Durham Station, NC
  27 Explosion of the riverboat Sultana
  28 Skirmishes at Princeton, Arkansas on Steele's Camden Expedition
May 2 A $100,000 reward offered for the arrest of Jefferson Davis
  4 Surrender of Confederate General Richard Taylor's forces at Citronelle, Alabama
  10 Confederate President Jefferson Davis captured by U.S. troops at Irwinville, Georgia
  11 Confederate sailors blow up CSS Virginia to keep her from falling into Union hands
  12 Skirmish at Palmito Ranch, Texas - the last engagement of the Civil War
  26 Surrender of Confederate Gen. E. K. Smith's Trans-Mississippi forces, New Orleans, LA
  29 President Andrew Johnson proclaims amnesty for most ex-Confederates
Jun 23 General Stand Watie surrenders Confederate forces in the Indian Territory (OK)
  30 Eight Lincoln-assassination conspirators convicted in Washington, D.C.
Jul 7 Conspirators in the assassination of Lincoln are executed
Nov 10 War criminal Henry Wirz hanged
Dec 18 The Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, becomes a part of the U.S. Constitution
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