Selected Chronology of the Civil War

1860 | 1861 | 1862 | 1863 | 1864 | 1865 | 1866

1860

Date Historical Event
November 6 Abraham Lincoln elected 16th President of the United States.
December 20 South Carolina secedes.
December 26 Federal garrison transfers from Ft. Moultrie to Ft. Sumter.

Return to Top

1861

Date Historical Event
January 9 Mississippi secedes: Star of the West fired upon.
January 10 Florida secedes.
January 11 Alabama secedes.
January 19 Georgia secedes..
January 26 Louisiana secedes.
January 29 Kansas admitted to Union as the 34th state.
February 1 Texas secedes.
February 4 Seceded States convene in Montgomery, AL; Virginia Peace Convention in Washington.
February 8 Confederate States establish provisional government.
February 9 Jefferson Davis elected provisional President of the Confederacy.
April 12 Fort Sumter bombarded...war begins.
April 14 Fort Sumter formally surrenders.
April 15 Lincoln calls for 75,000 militia.
April 17 Virginia secedes.
April 18 Union burns Harper's Ferry Arsenal (VA).
April 19 Union Naval Blockade of the Confederacy announced; Civilians and Union troops clash in Baltimore.
April 20 Union evacuates Norfolk Navy Yard (VA).
April 29 Maryland rejects secession.
May 6 Arkansas and Tennessee secede; Confederacy recognizes state of war with U.S.
May 10 Civilians and Union troops clash in St. Louis.
May 13 Federal troops occupy Baltimore; Britain declares neutrality.
May 18 First Union offensive action, ships engage Sewell's Point batteries (VA).
May 20 North Carolina secedes; Confederate capital moved to Richmond.
May 24 Union troops take Alexandria (VA).
May 29-June 10 Dorothea Dix appointed Superintendent of Nurses for Union Army.
June 3 Battle of Philippi (western VA).
June 10 Battle of Big Bethel (VA).
June 17 Battle of Boonville (MO); Union Observation Balloon demonstration in Washington, DC.
July 5 Battle of Carthage (MO).
July 11 Battle of Rich Mountain (western VA).
July 13 Battle of Carrick's Ford (western VA).
July 18 Battle of Blackburn's Ford (western VA).
July 21 Battle of First Bull Run or Manassas (VA).
July 26 Union evacuates Ft. Fillmore (New Mexico Territory).
August 2 Federal Congress passes income tax to help finance the War.
August 3 Federal Congress authorizes construction of one or more armored ships
August 10 Battle of Wilson's Creek (MO).
August 28 Confederate Ft. Hatteras (NC) surrenders.
August 30 Union MG John C. Fremont issues unauthorized emancipation proclamation in St. Louis.
September 3 Confederates enter Kentucky.
September 6 Federals capture Paducah, KY.
September 10 Battle of Carnifex Ferry (western VA).
September 11-15 Confederate Cheat Mountain Campaign (western VA).
September 12-20 Confederate Siege of Lexington (MO).
October 4 Confederate government signs treaties with the Shawnee, Seneca, and Cherokee (October 7) Indian tribes.
October 12 C.S.S. Manassas, an ironclad ram, forces U.S.S. Richmond aground; U.S.S. St. Louis, first ironclad gunboat, launched in Missouri.
October 21 Battle of Ball's Bluff (VA).
November 1 MG George B. McClellan appointed General-in-Chief of Union Armies (LTG Winfield Scott retires).
November 6 Jefferson Davis elected President of the Confederacy.
November 7 Battles of Port Royal (SC) and Belmont (MO).
November 8-December 26 The Trent Affair (U.S., C.S.A., and Britain).
December 13 Battle of Camp Alleghany (western VA).
December 20 Battle of Dranesville (VA).

Return to Top

1862

Date Historical Event
January 15 Edwin M. Stanton becomes U.S. Secretary of War.
January 19 Battle of Mill Springs (KY).
January 27 Lincoln issues War Order No.1 (a general Union advance).
January 30 U.S.S. Monitor, first turreted ironclad, launched on Long Island, NY.
February 6 Union takes Ft. Henry (TN).
February 8 Battle of Roanoke Island (NC).
February 16 Union takes Ft. Donelson (TN).
February 21 Battle of Valverde (New Mexico Territory).
February 25 Federals occupy Nashville.
March 7-8 Battle of Pea Ridge (AR).
March 8-9 Battle of Hampton Roads (VA, U.S.S. Monitor and C.S.S. Virginia or Merrimack).
March 14 Union captures New Madrid (MO) and New Bern (NC).
March 17-July 2 Peninsula Campaign (VA).
March 23-June 9 Jackson's Valley Campaign; First Battle of Kernstown (VA).
March 26 Battle of Apache Canyon (New Mexico Territory).
March 28 Battle of Glorieta Pass (New Mexico Territory).
April 5-May 4 Union Siege of Yorktown (VA).
April 6-7 Battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing (TN), GEN Albert Sydney Johnston dies (6 Apr.).
April 7 Island #10 (MO) falls to Union.
April 11 Ft. Pulaski (GA) falls to Union.
April 12 Great Locomotive Chase (GA).
April 24 Union Fleet runs Forts Jackson and St. Philip below New Orleans.
April 25 Ft. Macon (NC) falls to Union; New Orleans occupied by Union.
May 5 Battle of Williamsburg (VA).
May 8 Battle of McDowell (VA).
May 10 Federals occupy Nor1olk; Battle of Plum Run Bend (TN).
May 11 C.S.S. Virginia or Merrimack scuttled off Norfolk.
May 15 Battle of Drewry's Bluff (VA).
May 23 Battle of Front Royal (VA).
May 25 Battle of First Winchester (VA).
May 30 Corinth (MS) falls to Union.
May 31-June 1 Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks (VA).
June 3-5 Confederates evacuate Ft. Pillow (TN).
June 6 Battle of Memphis (TN).
June 8 Battle of Cross Keys (VA).
June 9 Battle of Port Republic (VA).
June 12-15 Stuart's Ride around McClellan.
June 16 Battle of Secessionville (SC).
June 19 Slavery prohibited in U.S. territories.
June 25 Seven Days Battles begin (VA); Battle of Oak Grove (Seven Days, VA).
June 26 Battle of Mechanicsville or Beaver Dam Creek (Seven Days, VA).
June 27 Battle of Gaines' Mill (Seven Days, VA).
June 28 Union Fleet runs Vicksburg (MS).
June 29 Battle of Savage's Station (Seven Days, VA).
June 30 Battle of Frayser's Farm (Seven Days, VA).
July 1 Battle of Malvern Hill (Seven Days, VA).
July 2 Lincoln signs Morrill Act, providing for land-grant colleges with a military tactics curriculum.
July 15 C.S.S. Arkansas engages Union Fleet near Vicksburg.
July 16 Federal Congress creates rank of rear admiral, David Farragut promoted to it for victory at New Orleans.
July 17 Lincoln signs second Confiscation Act enabling blacks to serve in armed forces.
July 22 Lincoln presents Emancipation Proclamation to Cabinet.
July 23 MG Henry W. Halleck appointed General-in-Chief of Union Armies.
August 5 Battle of Baton Rouge (LA).
August 6 C.S.S. Arkansas scuttled (LA).
August 9 Battle of Cedar Mountain (VA).
August 17-25 Sioux Uprising (MN).
August 23 Federal War Dept. authorizes enlistment of up to 5,000 black soldiers.
August 28-30 Battle of Second Bull Run or Manassas (VA).
August 30 Battle of Richmond (KY).
September 1 Battle of Chantilly (VA).
September 13 Lee's "Lost Order" (Special Orders No. 191) found by Federals.
September 14 Battles of South Mountain (MD) and Crampton's Gap (MD).
September 15 Harper's Ferry falls to Confederates.
September 17 Battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg (MD); Battle of Munfordville (KY).
September 19 Battle of Iuka (MS).
September 22 Lincoln announces Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
October 3-4 Battle of Corinth (MS).
October 8 Battle of Perryville (KY).
October 10-11 Stuart Raids Chambersburg (PA).
December 7 Battle of Prairie Grove (AR).
December 11-13 Battle of Fredericksburg (VA).
December 20 Confederates raid Holly Springs (MS).
December 29 Battle of Chickasaw Bayou (MS).
December 31 U.S.S. Monitor sinks off Cape Hatteras (NC).
December 31-January 2, 1863 Battle of Stones River or Murfreesboro (TN).

Return to Top

1863

Date Historical Event
December 31, 1862-January 2 Battle of Stones River or Murfreesboro (TN).
January 1 Lincoln announces Emancipation Proclamation.
January 11 Arkansas Post or Ft. Hindman (AR) taken by Union.
January 19-22 Burnside's "Mud March" fails (Army of the Potomac in VA).
January 31 Confederate ironclads disrupt Charleston blockade (SC).
February 3 U.S. rejects French mediation.
March 3 Lincoln signs Draft Act.
March 11 Union Yazoo Pass Expedition blocked at Ft. Pemberton (MS).
March 14 Union Fleet runs Port Hudson (LA).
March 17 Battle of Kelly's Ford (VA).
March 29-July 4 Vicksburg Campaign and Siege (Turning Point in the West, MS).
April 2 Richmond "Bread Riot."
April 7 Union ironclads attack Fort Sumter and Charleston.
April 16 Union Fleet runs Vicksburg.
April 17-May 2 Grierson's Union cavalry raids Mississippi; Marmaduke's Confederate cavalry raids MO.
May 1 Battle of Port Gibson (Vicksburg Campaign, MS).
May 1-4 Battle of Chancellorsville (VA).
May 10 LTG Stonewall Jackson dies in VA.
May 12 Battle of Raymond (Vicksburg Campaign, MS).
May 14 Battle of Jackson (Vicksburg Campaign, MS).
May 16 Battle of Champion's Hill (Vicksburg Campaign, MS).
May 17 Battle of Big Black River Bridge (Vicksburg Campaign, MS).
May 18-July 4 Union Siege of Vicksburg.
May 19 First Union assault on Vicksburg.
May 21-July 8 Union Siege of Port Hudson (LA).
May 22 Second Union assault on Vicksburg.
May 27 First Union assault on Port Hudson (LA).
June 7 Battle of Milliken's Bend (LA).
June 9 Battle of Brandy Station (VA).
June 14 Battle of Second Winchester (VA); Second Union assault on Port Hudson (LA).
June 15 Battle of Stephenson's Depot (Second Winchester, VA).
June 20 West Virginia admitted to the Union as the 35th state.
June 23-July7 Union Tullahoma Campaign (TN).
July 1-3 Battle of Gettysburg (Turning Point in the East, PA).
July 3 Pickett's Charge (Gettysburg).
July 4 Vicksburg surrenders.
July 8 Port Hudson surrenders (LA).
July 8-26 Morgan's cavalry raid north of Ohio River.
July 10-September 6 Union Siege of Battery Wagner, Charleston (SC).
July 11 First Union assault on Battery Wagner (SC).
July 13-16 New York City Draft Riots.
July 18 Second Union assault on Battery Wagner (SC).
July 26 Sam Houston, American and Texas patriot, statesman, and opponent of Secession dies in TX; John Hunt Morgan captured in Ohio.
August 17-23 Union heavy bombardment of Ft. Sumter and Battery Wagner (SC).
August 21 Quantrill's Confederate raiders sack Lawrence (KS).
September 3-5 U.S.-British crisis averted over "Laird Rams."
September 6 Confederates evacuate Battery Wagner (SC).
September 8 Engagement at Sabine Pass (TX).
September 9 Confederates evacuate Chattanooga (TN).
September 10 Little Rock, capital of Arkansas, falls.
September 15 Lincoln, due to "state of rebellion," suspends legal right to habeas corpus.
September 19-20 Battle of Chickamauga (GA).
September 22-October ? Shelby's Confederate cavalry raids Arkansas and Missouri.
September 25-October 2 XI and XII Corps of the Army of the Potomac move West.
October 5 C.S.S. David attacks U.S.S. New Ironsides at Charleston (SC).
October 9-22 Confederate Bristoe, Virginia Campaign.
October 14 Battle of Bristoe Station (VA).
October 16 Union Military District of the Mississippi created.
October 27 Union opens "Cracker Line" to Chattanooga.
October 27-November 5 Second major bombardment of Ft. Sumter (SC).
November 6 Engagement at Droop Mountain (WV).
November 7 Battle of Rappahannock Station (VA).
November 17- December 4 Confederate Siege of Knoxville (TN).
November 19 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (PA).
November 23-25 Battle of Chattanooga (TN).
November 24 Battle of Lookout Mountain (Chattanooga).
November 25 Battle of Missionary Ridge (Chattanooga).
November 26-December 2 Union Mine Run Campaign (VA).
November 29 Battle of Ft. Sanders (TN).
November 30-December 2 LTG William J. Hardee relieves GEN Braxton Bragg (Army of Tennessee in GA).
December 8 Lincoln Issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction.
December 16-27 GEN Joseph E. Johnston succeeds LTG Hardee (Army of Tennessee in GA).

Return to Top

1864

Date Historical Event
February 3-14 Sherman's Meridian Campaign (MS).
February 9 109 Union prisoners escape Libby Prison, Richmond - largest escape of the War.
February 17 C.S.S. H.L. Hunley (experimental submarine) sinks U.S.S. Housatonic off Charleston.
February 20 Battle of Olustee (FL).
February 22 Battle of Okolona (MS).
March 1 Union cavalry raid on Richmond.
March 9-12 Ulysses S. Grant promoted to LTG and made General-in-Chief of Union Armies; MG Halleck named chief of staff; MG Sherman commands the Military Division of the Mississippi.
March 10-May 22 Union Red River Campaign (LA).
April 8 Battle of Sabine Crossroads or Mansfield (Red River, LA).
April 9 Battle of Pleasant Hill (Red River, LA).
April 12 Confederacy takes Ft. Pillow (TN).
April 17-20 Battle of Plymouth (NC).
April 19 C.S.S. Albemarle sinks U.S.S. Smithfield (Plymouth, NC).
April 30 Battle of Jenkin's Ferry (AR).
May 5-6 Battle of the Wilderness (VA).
May 7-September 2 Sherman's Atlanta Campaign (GA).
May 7-15 Battle of Rocky Face Ridge (Atlanta Campaign).
May 8-21 Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (VA).
May 9 Battle of Cloyd's Mountain (VA).
May 11 Battle of Yellow Tavern (VA), Confederate MG JEB Stuart mortally wounded.
May 13-15 Battle of Resaca (Atlanta Campaign).
May 15-March 2, 1865 Shenandoah Valley Campaign (VA).
May 15 Battle of New Market (1864 Valley Campaign).
May 16 Battle of Drewry's Bluff (VA).
May 23-26 Battle of North Anna River (VA).
May 25-29 Battles of New Hope Church, Pickett's Mill, and Dallas (Atlanta Campaign).
May 31-June 3 Battle of Cold Harbor (VA).
June 5 Battle of Piedmont (VA).
June 8 President Lincoln nominated for second term; in Baltimore; National Union Convention (Republicans) calls for "unconditional surrender" of Confederate armies and constitutional amendment to abolish slavery.
June 10 Battle of Brice's Crossroads (MS).
June 11-12 Battle of Trevilian Station (VA).
June 14 Army of the Potomac begins crossing James River (VA); Battle of Pine Mountain (GA), Confederate LTG Leonidas Polk dies.
June 15-April 2, 1865 Petersburg Campaign and Siege (VA).
June 18-April 2, 1865 Union Siege of Petersburg (VA).
June 19 U.S.S. Kearsarge sinks C.S.S. Alabama off Cherbourg, France.
June 27 Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (Atlanta Campaign).
July 4 Reconstruction Controversy, Lincoln pocket-vetoes Wade-Davis bill.
July 8 Lincoln supports constitutional amendment abolishing slavery.
July 9 Battle of Monocacy (1864 Valley Campaign, MD).
July 11 Battle of Ft. Steven's (1864 Valley Campaign, MD & DC).
July 14-15 Battle of Tupelo (MS).
July 17-18 Confederate GEN John Bell Hood relieves GEN Joseph E. Johnston (GA).
July 20 Battle of Peachtree Creek (Atlanta Campaign).
July 22 Battle of Atlanta (Atlanta Campaign), Federal MG James B. McPherson dies.
July 24 Second Battle of Kernstown (1864 Valley Campaign, VA).
July 28 Battle of Ezra Church (Atlanta Campaign).
July 30 Union explodes Petersburg Mine and Battle of the Crater (VA).
July 30-31 Confederate cavalry burns Chambersburg (PA).
August 5 Battle of Mobile Bay (AL).
August 18-19 Battle of the Weldon Railroad (VA).
August 25 Battle of Reams' Station (VA).
August 31 Democrats nominate MG McClellan for president in Chicago.
August 31-September 1 Battle of Jonesboro (Atlanta Campaign).
September 2 Atlanta surrenders.
September 4 Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan dies in Tennessee.
September 7-20 Sherman orders civilian evacuation of Atlanta.
September 17 MG Fremont withdraws from Presidential Election of 1864.
September 19 Third Battle of Winchester or Opequon Creek (1864 Valley Campaign, VA).
September 22 Battle of Fisher's Hill (1864 Valley Campaign, VA).
September 29 Battles of New Market Heights (VA), Peebles Farm (VA, to 2 Oct.), and Ft. Harrison or Chaffin's Farm (VA, to 1 Oct.).
October 5 Battle of Allatoona (GA).
7 C.S.S Florida captured by U.S.S. Wachusett off Bahia, Brazil.
October 9 Battle of Tom's Brook (1864 Valley Campaign, VA).
October 19 Battle of Cedar Creek or Belle Grove (1864 Valley Campaign, VA); Confederates raid St. Albans, Vermont.
October 23 Battle of Westport (MO).
October 27 Battle of Burgess' Mill (VA); Union launch sinks C.S.S. Albemarle at Plymouth (NC).
November 4-5 Confederates bombard Johnsonville (TN).
November 8 Lincoln reelected president.
November 14-December 22 Sherman's March to the Sea (GA).
November 29 Federal army escapes at Spring Hill (Franklin and Nashville Campaign, TN); Sand Creek Massacre (Colorado Territory).
November 30 Battle of Franklin (Franklin and Nashville Campaign, TN).
December 13 Union takes Ft. McAllister (GA).
December 15-16 Battle of Nashville (Franklin and Nashville Campaign, TN).
December 21 Union occupies Savannah (GA).
December 23-25 First Union attacks on Ft. Fisher (NC).
December 31 Confederate GEN John Bell Hood resigns, LTG Richard Taylor commands Army of Tennessee (January 23, 1865).

Return to Top

1865

Date Historical Event
January 13-15 Second Union attack and fall (15 Jan.) of Ft. Fisher (NC).
January 19-April 26 Sherman's Carolinas Campaign.
January 31 GEN Lee appointed General-in-Chief of Confederate Armies; U.S. House of Representatives passes 13th Amendment (abolition of slavery).
February 3 Hampton Roads Peace Conference fails (VA).
February 5-7 Battle of Hatcher's Run (VA).
February 6 MG John C. Breckinridge named Confederate Secretary of War.
February 17 Union takes Columbia (Carolinas Campaign, SC).
February 22 Union takes Wilmington (Carolinas Campaign, NC).
February 22-25 GEN Johnston commands Confederate forces in the Carolinas.
March 2 Battle of Waynesboro (end of 1864 Valley Campaign, VA).
March 8-10 Battle of Kinston (Carolinas Campaign, NC).
March 11 Union takes Fayetteville (Carolinas Campaign, NC).
March 13 Confederacy recruits black soldiers.
March 16 Battle of Averasboro (Carolinas Campaign, NC).
March 19-21 Battle of Bentonville (Carolinas Campaign, NC).
March 22-April 2 Union Selma Campaign (AL).
March 25 Battle of Ft. Stedman (Petersburg Siege, VA).
March 25-April 12 Union Siege of Mobile (AL).
March 27 Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, and Porter confer at City Point, VA.
March 29-April 9 Appomattox Campaign (VA).
March 31 Battles of Dinwiddie Court House and White Oak Road (Appomattox Campaign, VA).
April 1 Battle of Five Forks (Appomattox Campaign, VA).
April 2 Confederate Government evacuates Richmond; Selma, AL falls.
April 3 Union occupies Richmond and Petersburg (VA).
April 3-4 Lincoln visits Petersburg and Richmond.
April 6 Battle of Sailors or Sayler's Creek (Appomattox Campaign, VA).
April 7 Battle of High Bridge (Appomattox Campaign, VA).
April 9 Battle of Appomattox (Appomattox Campaign, VA), Lee surrenders Army of Northern Virginia; Battle of Ft. Blakely (AL).
April 12 Mobile surrenders (AL).
April 14 Abraham Lincoln shot by John Wilkes Booth in Washington, DC.
April 15 President Lincoln dies; Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes presidency.
April 26 Confederate GEN Joseph E. Johnston surrenders to Sherman in North Carolina; John Wilkes Booth captured and shot in Virginia.
April 27 Sultana Disaster near Memphis on the Mississippi.
May 4 Taylor surrenders to Canby in Alabama.
May 10 Jefferson Davis captured in Georgia; President Johnson proclaims armed resistance at an end.
May 12-13 Battle of Palmito Ranch (TX), last major action of the War.
May 23 Army of the Potomac passes in review in Washington, DC.
May 24 Sherman's army passes in review in Washington, DC.
May 26 Army of Trans-Mississippi surrenders in New Orleans.
May 29 President Johnson Issues Amnesty Proclamation.
June 23 Naval Blockade of the South ends; Cherokee BG Stand Watie surrenders Indian battalion in Oklahoma Territory.
June 30 Lincoln conspirators convicted.
July 7 Execution of Lincoln conspirators in Washington, DC.
November 6 C.S.S. Shenandoah surrenders to British at Liverpool, England.
December 18 13th Amendment added to U.S. Constitution.

Return to Top

1866

Date Historical Event
July 25 Ulysses S. Grant promoted to full general.
August 20 President Andrew Johnson declares insurrection at an end throughout the whole of the United States of America.

Return to Top

Notes:

  1. Numbers in parentheses reflect estimated strength of armies or units.

  2. Estimated casualty figures are totals for killed, wounded, missing in action, and taken prisoner.

  3. Alternative names of battles and campaigns appear in parentheses.

  4. Military and naval rank abbreviations in text: LT - Lieutenant, CPT - Captain, MAJ - Major, LTC - Lieutenant Colonel, CDR - Commander (Navy), COL - Colonel, BG - Brigadier General, MG - Major General, RADM - Rear Admiral (Navy), LTG - Lieutenant General, VADM - Vice Admiral (Navy), and GEN - General.

  5. Army Organization: Although authorized and actual strength and the rank of the commanding officer often varied, the standard military unit during the War was the infantry regiment (1,000 men, COL commanding) which was comprised of 10 companies (100 men each, CPT commanding). 3-4 Regiments = 1 Brigade (3,000-4000 men, BG commanding). 3 (sometimes 4) Brigades = 1 Division (9000-12,000 men, BG or MG commanding). 2-4 (usually 3) Divisions = 1 Corps (18,000-24,000+ men, MG - North and MG or LTG -South commanding). 2 or more Corps = An Army (usually 20,000-100,000+ men - MG, LTG, or GEN commanding). 2 or more Armies = An Army Group (usually 100,000+ men - MG, LTG, or GEN commanding).

Sources:

Back