Cival War Timeline by Legion Davis

Battle of Fort Sumter - 1861, April 12

ldavis363 — 2023-12-15 03:29:36 UTC

The battle of Fort Sumter was what ignited the war, marking it in history. Located in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina confederate soldiers found themselves bombarding the Fort. This would have eventually tipped the wages of war between the North and South through their rising tensions. The Confederates being led by General Beauregard continued to bomb the fort with Major Robert Anderson and his men inside defending themselves. Anderson eventually surrendered to the Confederates on April, 14. This served as a cry for both parties to rally for war.

Primary Source:

L, Leon. “The Diary of a Confederate Soldier.” Documenting the American South: The Southern Experience in 19th-Century America, 1913. https://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/leon/leon.html.

The first Battle of Bull Run - 1861, July 21

ldavis363 — 2023-12-15 03:30:56 UTC

The first battle of the Bull Run was a pivotal conflict near Manassas, Virginia. Confederate forces clashed under General Beauregard against Union forces led by General McDowell. The confederate swapped away the Union leading to a swift victory. The union had accumulated high casualties and loss of political belief. The North had thought well that they would make the Confederacy come to a quick loss but this battle seemed to scare the North and their army.

Primary Source:

“The Battle of First Manassas (First Bull Run).” National Parks Service. Accessed December 14, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/mana/learn/historyculture/first-manassas.htm.

Battle of Shiloh - 1862, April 6-7

ldavis363 — 2023-12-15 04:36:03 UTC

The battle of Shiloh was fought April 6-7, 1862 near Pittsburg, Tennessee. Union soldiers led by General Ulysses clashed with Confederate forces commanded by General Albert Johnston resulting in mass casualties on both sides. A total of 23,000 soldiers were found to be either killed, wounded, or missing. The union ultimately resulted victorious, taking control of a strategic railroad along Corinth, Mississippi.

Secondary Source:

“Battle of Shiloh.” History.com. Accessed December 14, 2023. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-shiloh.

Battle of Antietam - 1862, September 17

ldavis363 — 2023-12-15 04:40:04 UTC

Known as the bloodiest battle in U.S. history, the battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862. The battle which was located near Sharpsburg, Maryland had resulted in just over 23,000 total soldiers coming from each party. Sources say each party received a devastating blow to their strength in terms of men. This created ripple effect causing both parties to turn to political war.

Secondary Source:

“Antietam.” American Battlefield Trust. Accessed December 14, 2023. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/antietam.

Emancipation Proclamation 1863, January 1

ldavis363 — 2023-12-15 04:43:21 UTC

The Emancipation Proclamation was a pivotal turning point in the Civil War for the Union. The document signed by former President Abraham Lincoln emancipated all slaves and abolished the owning of slaves in the confederacy owned lands. This was meant to disrupt the South's economic and military stability resulting in slaves coming to the Union to fight in the War.

Primary Source:

“13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” Introduction - 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents in American History - Research Guides at Library of Congress. Accessed December 14, 2023. https://guides.loc.gov/13th-amendment.

Atlanta falls to Union forces - 1864, September 2

ldavis363 — 2023-12-15 04:47:40 UTC

Some say this resulted in the victory of the Union, and played a significant role in the conflict. In september of 1864, forces of the union led by General Willian Sherman successfully captured the city of Atlanta. The battle was devised under Shermans "March to the Sea" which planned to wither the confederates strength and infrastructure by cutting off supply and communication lines. After taking control the South quickly showed signs of huge weakness to their resources and power in the war.

Secondary Source:

“American Civil War: Causes, Dates & Battles.” History.com. Accessed December 14, 2023. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war.

Thirteenth Amendment abolishes Slavery - 1865, December 6

ldavis363 — 2023-12-15 05:07:10 UTC

The thirteenth amendment was ratified on December 6, 1985, resulting in the ban and abolishment of slavery. The amendment states"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This set the way for the act of freedom and equality for all citizens in the United States.

Primary Source:

“13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery.” National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed December 14, 2023. https://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/13th-amendment.