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Abraham Lincoln becomes President
Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States over a deeply divided Democratic Party, becoming the first Republican to win the presidency. By the time of Lincoln’s inauguration on March 4, 1861, seven states had seceded. -
South Coralina Secedes
On December 20, 1860, a secession convention called by the South Carolina legislature voted unanimously to secede from the united states. After the election of Abraham Lincoln on November 6, 1860, South Carolinians perceived a threat to their slave system that Congressional compromise could not pacify. -
Fort Sumter is attacked
Fort Sumter is an island fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.19 coastal batteries unleashed a punishing barrage on fort sumter, eventually firing an estimated 3,000 shots.April 13, cannon fire had broken through the fortress’s five-foot-thick brick walls, causing fires inside the post. -
Robert E. Lee takes command of Confederate Troops
When Virginia’s troops were transferred to the Confederate service, he became, on May 14, 1861, a brigadier general, the highest rank then authorized. On August 29-30, he defeated General John Pope in the second Battle of Bull Run. Lee has been charged with being too bloody-minded
