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Lincoln elected president
Though winning in the electoral college, Lincoln's lack of a popular majority (1.9 million out of 4.7 million votes cast) is an indication of the problems he would face with a divided nation -
South Carolina Secedes
On news of Lincoln's election, South Carolina (site of nullification fight in 1830s) secedes -
Ft. Sumter Attack
Lincoln decides to supply Ft. Sumter, but wants the South to fire the first shot -
Bull Run
Gen. McDowell leads 30,000 men against Gen. Johnston's 22,000 Southern troops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go "On to Richmond." South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray. McDowell replaced by Gen. McClellan -
Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing)
Grant overcomes Southern forces with heavy losses for each side: 13,000 Union casualties, 11,000 for South -
Bull Run (Manassas) 2nd battle
McClellan replaced by Gen. Pope. Lee and Gen. Stonewall Jackson defeat Union troops again at Manassas and Pope is replaced by McClellan -
Chancellorsville
Gen. Hooker defeated by Lee, but Jackson is mistakenly shot by his own men and killed. -
Gettysburg
Over 165,000 soldiers participate in the largest battle in the Western Hemisphere. After three days of fighting, Lee retreats, leaving 4,000 dead Confederates. Total casualties: 23,000 Union, 28,000 Confederates -
Petersburg
Grant focuses on important railroad junction and communication outside Richmond. Long siege of Petersburg begins with troops living in trenches which stretched for 50 miles -
Lee surrenders
Lee, refusing to see his troops suffer any further, surrenders to Grant. Southern troops given generous terms of surrender
