Timeline by Addyson Baumgartner

Fort Sumter April 12, 1861

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 17:39:20 UTC

Fort Sumter marked the official beginning of the Civil War between the Union Robert Anderson and the Confederate P.G.T. Beauregard in Charleston Harbor, SC. This event is significant because it marked the beginning of a war which freed 3.9 million enslaved people from bondage.

Antietam September 17, 1862

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 17:43:42 UTC

George B. McClellen and Robert E. Lee were involved in the deadliest one-day war in American history in Washington County, MD. This event is significant because this war demonstrated that the Union could stand against the Confederate army as well as gave Abraham Lincoln the courage to issue the Emancipation proclomation.

Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 17:46:59 UTC

Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which granted freedom to enslaved people in Confederate states. This is significant because the battle of Antietam granted the Union victory needed for this to be issued successfully.

Gettysburg July 1, 1863

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 17:50:10 UTC

The battle of Gettysburg was the official turning point of the Civil War and included George G. Meade and Robert E. Lee in Adams County, PA. This is significant because it was the bloodiest single battle of the conflict with more than 50,000 estimated casualties.

Surrender at Appomattox April 9, 1865

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 17:54:00 UTC

The Surrender at Appomattox was when Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox County, VA. This event marked the end of the bloodiest conflict in American history.

Moorefield August 7, 1864

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 18:02:05 UTC

The battle of Moorefield was fought in Hardy County which occurred shortly after Confederate General John McCausland had burned the town of Chamesburg, PA. This is significant because this battle had an extremely damaging effect on the morale and efectiveness of Confederate Gen. Jubal Early.

Carnifex Ferry September 10, 1861

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 18:07:17 UTC

General William S. Rosecrans attacked the Confederate position at Carnifex Ferry due to concern of Confederate infiltration of the Kanawha. This victory for the Union was crucial to West Virginia detaching from Virginia and becoming its own state.

Droop Mountain November 6, 1863

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 18:11:49 UTC

In Pocahontas, WV, forces under William Averell defeated forces under John Echols ending organized Southern resistance in West Virginia and also was one of the largest and final major battles which occurred in West Virginia.

Philippi June 3, 1861

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 20:01:34 UTC

The Philipi Battle began in Barbour, WV from an attempt by the Union to protects railroads in Western Virginia. George B. McClellen ordered troops to protect the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and to open a path to Richmond.

Sulphur Creek Trestle September 25, 1864

addyson_baumgartner1_1 — 2023-10-31 20:09:38 UTC

In Limestone County, Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest suurounded the trestle at Sulphur Creek and they opened fire. Then, Lt. Col. John Minnis decided to surrender. This is significant because a crucial supply line was cut as well as being the bloodiest engagement in north Alabama.