Events with tag - American Civil War

December 1, 1850

Harriet Tubman's First Underground Railroad Mission

In December 1850, Harriet Tubman conducted her first Underground Railroad rescue mission, successfully freeing her niece Kessiah Bowley and her two children from slavery in Maryland. This mission marked the beginning of her legendary career as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

October 16, 1859

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry

John Brown led 21 men in a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, attempting to spark a slave rebellion. The raid failed, leading to Brown's capture by U.S. Marines under Robert E. Lee and his subsequent execution on December 2, 1859.

April 12, 1861

American Civil War Begins

The American Civil War officially began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, marking the start of the deadliest conflict in U.S. history.

April 12, 1861

Battle of Fort Sumter

The American Civil War began when Confederate forces under General P.G.T. Beauregard launched a 34-hour bombardment of Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The battle ended with the fort's surrender and marked the beginning of America's bloodiest conflict.

April 12, 1861

American Civil War Begins

The American Civil War officially begins when Confederate forces under General P.G.T. Beauregard launch an artillery bombardment against Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, marking the start of the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history.

April 12, 1861

Battle of Fort Sumter

The Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, marked the beginning of the American Civil War. After 34 hours of artillery fire, the Union garrison surrendered the fort, catalyzing the nation's descent into full-scale civil war.

July 21, 1861

Matthew Brady's Civil War Photography

Matthew Brady transformed wartime documentation by pioneering battlefield photography during the American Civil War, receiving special permission from President Lincoln to capture the conflict through his lens. His work marked the first systematic attempt to document American warfare through photography.

July 21, 1861

First Battle of Bull Run

The First Battle of Bull Run was a pivotal engagement of the American Civil War, fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas Junction, Virginia. The battle resulted in a Confederate victory and shattered both sides' illusions of a quick war.

February 11, 1862

Battle of Fort Donelson

A decisive Union victory in the American Civil War where General Ulysses S. Grant captured the Confederate stronghold Fort Donelson, leading to the surrender of approximately 12,000 Confederate soldiers and securing Union control of Kentucky and Tennessee.

March 8, 1862

Battle of Hampton Roads

The Battle of Hampton Roads was a pivotal naval engagement of the American Civil War fought on March 8-9, 1862, marking the first battle between ironclad warships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. This revolutionary confrontation transformed naval warfare by demonstrating the obsolescence of wooden vessels.

April 4, 1862

Willie Lincoln's Ghost First Sighting

First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln reported seeing the ghost of her deceased son Willie Lincoln in the White House's Red Room, marking the beginning of numerous supernatural encounters and séances in the presidential residence.

April 6, 1862

Battle of Shiloh

A pivotal two-day battle of the American Civil War fought on April 6-7, 1862, near Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, resulting in a crucial Union victory and over 23,000 casualties.

April 25, 1862

Capture of New Orleans

Union Admiral David Farragut led a successful naval assault capturing New Orleans, the Confederacy's largest city and most important port. This strategic victory gave the Union control over the lower Mississippi River and dealt a severe blow to Confederate supply lines.

December 11, 1862

Battle of Fredericksburg

A devastating Civil War battle fought from December 11-15, 1862, where Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee decisively defeated Union forces led by Ambrose Burnside, resulting in massive Union casualties during repeated unsuccessful assaults on Marye's Heights.

April 30, 1863

Battle of Chancellorsville

A significant Civil War battle fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Confederate General Robert E. Lee achieved a remarkable victory against Union forces despite being outnumbered more than two to one, though the victory was overshadowed by the loss of Stonewall Jackson.

May 18, 1863

Battle of Vicksburg

The 47-day siege of Vicksburg (May 18 - July 4, 1863) was a decisive Union victory in the American Civil War. Under General Ulysses S. Grant, Union forces captured this Confederate stronghold, gaining control of the Mississippi River and effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.

July 4, 1863

Battle of Vicksburg

The Battle of Vicksburg was a pivotal 47-day siege during the American Civil War, where Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant captured the Confederate stronghold, effectively splitting the Confederacy and gaining control of the Mississippi River.

July 4, 1863

Battle of Vicksburg Surrender

The Battle of Vicksburg concluded on July 4, 1863, marking a crucial Union victory in the American Civil War. After a 47-day siege, Confederate forces surrendered to Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant, giving the North control of the vital Mississippi River and effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.

July 18, 1863

Battle of Fort Wagner

A pivotal American Civil War battle where Union forces launched two major assaults against Confederate Fort Wagner near Charleston. The battle is particularly notable for featuring the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first African American regiments, in a heroic charge that helped change perceptions of Black soldiers.

February 24, 1864

Andersonville Prison

Andersonville Prison, operating from February 1864 to May 1865, was one of the most notorious Confederate prisoner-of-war camps during the American Civil War. Originally designed for 10,000 prisoners, it held over 32,000 at its peak, resulting in the deaths of nearly 13,000 Union soldiers due to overcrowding, disease, and malnutrition.

April 12, 1864

Fort Pillow Massacre

Confederate forces under Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked Fort Pillow in Tennessee, killing hundreds of surrendering Union soldiers, predominantly African American troops. This event became one of the most controversial atrocities of the American Civil War.

May 31, 1864

Battle of Cold Harbor

A devastating Civil War battle fought from May 31 to June 12, 1864, near Mechanicsville, Virginia, resulting in massive Union casualties during Grant's Overland Campaign. The battle marked a significant turning point when Union forces suffered over 12,000 casualties against Confederate defensive positions.

June 9, 1864

Siege of Petersburg

A pivotal 292-day military campaign during the American Civil War where Union forces under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant besieged Confederate forces under Gen. Robert E. Lee at Petersburg, Virginia, ultimately leading to the Confederate surrender.

November 15, 1864

Sherman's March to the Sea

A devastating 285-mile military campaign during the American Civil War, where Union forces under General Sherman marched from Atlanta to Savannah, implementing total war tactics that targeted both military and civilian infrastructure.

December 15, 1864

Battle of Nashville

The Battle of Nashville (December 15-16, 1864) was a decisive Union victory during the American Civil War. Union forces under Major General George H. Thomas defeated Confederate forces led by General John Bell Hood, effectively destroying the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

January 15, 1865

Capture of Fort Fisher

The Union forces captured Fort Fisher, known as the 'Gibraltar of the South', after a massive combined army-navy assault. This victory effectively cut off the Confederacy's last major supply route and hastened the end of the Civil War.

April 3, 1865

Fall of Richmond

The capture of Richmond by Union forces on April 3, 1865, marked a decisive turning point in the American Civil War. Confederate forces evacuated the city, setting fire to military supplies which led to a devastating fire destroying much of the business district.

April 9, 1865

Battle of Appomattox Court House

The Battle of Appomattox Court House was the final major military engagement of the American Civil War, where Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War.

April 9, 1865

Surrender at Appomattox

The historic surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House effectively ended the American Civil War in the eastern theater and symbolized the beginning of national reconciliation.