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Election of Lincoln
On this date, Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States. Even though he was from the smaller Republican party, since the Democrats split their vote in two he ended up winning. Due to this event, the southern states started to secede from the Union. -
Texas Secedes from the Union
Texas was the seventh state to secede from the Union. Even though this was against Governer Sam Houston's wishes, Texas held an election to see which was most popular among government leaders. The secession didn't take effect until March 2, 1861 though. -
Houston Kicked Out of Office
On this date, Texas governer Sam Houston was kicked out of office. He was kicked out, because he opposed seceding from the Union. His comments about seceding were that the south would lose and it would end the southern way of life. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
In the first battle of the Civil War, the Confederate general P.G.T Beauregard, opened fire on the Union's Fort Sumter. Confederate forces fired upon the Union fort for 34 hours, causing the Union forces to surrender. There were no Casualties. -
Battle of Galveston
In the second Battle of Galveston, the Confederates came out with a victory. The Confederate's first ship ,the Neptune, sunk early. When it sunk their second ship, The Bayou City, captured a union ship. Soon after, the USS Westfield grounded on a sandbar and it's captain blew up the ship not wanting it to get captured by thr Confederates. The troops on land thought that meant to surrender, so they did. They other 4 Union boats retreated safely. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This battle lasted from July 1st to 3rd. General Robert E. Lee of the south had a successful first fight in the north, and wanted to go into the small town of Gettysburg and threaten the north's territory. On the first day, the Confederates won with 10,000 less casualties. On the second day though, General Lee tried a failed ambush in what would become known as Pickett's charge. The south had 29,000 casualties in this battle, setting them back and giving the north new found hope. -
Battle of Sabine Pass
On this date, the Union attempted to invade Texas with about 300 men. The Union boat, The Clifton, tried to take over Fort Griffin where the Confederates has been sending soldiers as punishment. The 44 Confederate men at Fort Griffin took the Clifton and captured 200 men and killed the rest. -
Start of Red River Campaign
The Red River campaign was a series of battles along Louisiana. It was the Army-Navy operation of the war. At the time of the battles the outcome of the war wasn't in question, the north was going to win. But Confederate soldiers still thought they had a chance and won their last battle of the Civil War. -
End of Red River Campaign
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End of Civil War
Through a long 4 year battle, General Robert E. Lee finally decided to surrender on April 9, 1965. The U.S was finally one country again, but it still felt like two. The union won just like most thought they would, but it was hard fought and longer than it should've been. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
Even though the Civil War was already over, a few soldiers didn't feel that way. On this date, the union forces attempted to ambush the Confederate soldiers but got held back. This was the final battle of the Civil War. -
Juneteenth
Juneteenth was the official ending of slavery in Texas. A new era was started here. This is the date that General Gordon Granger came down to Texas and forced the law of slavery on them and told them the war was over. This holiday is now celebrated every year. -
Reconstruction Ends
The United States was finally back to what it was like pre-war. Just without slaves. Black people were still getting treated terrible in the south and had basically no rights, but it was an improvement and Americans had high hopes for the future.
