Civil War Timeline

The Emancipation Proclamation

General Sherman's army destroys crops, livestock and Southern industry and infrastructure in what is known as Total War. This advance breaks the spirit of the South.

Civil War Timeline

This timeline describes the major events that took place before, during, and after the United States Civil War.

Time Line

1861

The War Begins

Confederate forces w0nthe first major battle ofthe war, and both sidescommitted to a full scale war.

The Battle of Shiloh took place in April and the Battle of Antietam took place in September of 1862. General Lee was stopped from moving further north.

Battle of AppomattoxCourt HouseGeneral Lee failed to resupply his army and was forced to surrender the entire Army of Virginia.

Lincoln's victoryprompted several southern states toconvene conventions to decidewhether or not to secede from theUnion.

1862

Major Battles

1863

1864

1865

General Lee invaded the North toward Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in an attempt to convince Northern politicians to give up the war. Union General George Meadesuccessfully turned back theConfederates. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point for the war.

The Civil War Ends

April 9, 1865