Chronology of US Civil War

Copyright © 2007-2012 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: contact@worldtimeline.info
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to create web links
to this site, not to copy these pages to other web sites.
URL: http://worldtimeline.info/uscivilwar/


References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2012 January 26.


1862

January 1
  • Battle of Fort McRee, Florida, and Battle of Port Royal, South Carolina (Port Royal Ferry). [1]
January 3
  • Romney Campaign - Stonewall Jackson moves north from Winchester. [1]
January 4
  • Battle of Fort Hindman, Arkansas (Arkansas Post). [1]
  • Battle of Helena, Arkansas. [1]
  • Romney Campaign - Stonewall Jackson occupies Bath. [1]
January 7
  • Battle of Manassas Junction, Virginia. [1]
  • Romney Campaign - Stonewall Jackson march towards Romney, West Virginia. [1]

Discount Magazines
January 10
  • Battle of Big Sandy River, Kentucky (Middle Creek). [1]
  • Battle of Romney, West Virginia. [1]
January 17
  • (to January 22) Bombardment of Fort Henry, Tennessee, by USS Lexington. [1]
January 18
  • Confederate Territory of Arizona is formed. [1]
January 19
  • Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky (Fishing Creek, Logan's Crossroads). [1]
January 22
  • Confederate government raises premium for volunteers from $10 to $20. [1]
January 26
  • Lincoln issues General War Order #1, calling for a Union offensive; McClellan ignores order. [1]
January 30
  • The first American ironclad warship, the USS Monitor, is launched. [1] [5]
February 6
  • Naval Engagement at Tennessee River - USS Conestago versus CSS Appleton Belle. [1]
  • Victory for General Ulysses S Grant in Tennessee, capturing Fort Henry, and ten days later Fort Donelson; Grant earns the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. [1]
February 7
  • Federal fleet attack on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. [1]
February 8
  • Battle of Roanoke Island, North Carolina, Federals gain control of Pamlico Sound. [1]
February 13
  • Siege of Fort Donelson, Tennessee. [1]
February 14
  • Galena, first US iron-clad warship for service at sea, launched, in Connecticut. [1]
February 15
  • Grant's major assault on Fort Donelson, Tennessee. [1]
February 16
  • Fort Donelson captured by General Grant (1,400 confederates surrender). [1]
February 21
  • Confederate Constitution and Presidency are declared permanent. [1]
  • Texas Texas Rangers win Confederate victory at Battle of Val Verde, New Mexico. [1]
February 26
  • Battle of Woodburn, Kentucky. [1]
March 3
  • General Pope lays siege in front of New Madrid, Missouri. [1]
March 5
  • Union troops under Brigadier-General Wright occupy Fernandina, Florida. [1]
March 6
  • Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas (Elkhorn Tavern). [1]
March 7
  • Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, Day 2, Generals McCulloch and McIntosh killed. [1]
March 8
  • Battle of Elkhorn Tavern ends with Confederate withdrawal. [1]
  • Confederate ironclad "Merrimack" launched. [1]
  • Naval Engagement at Hampton Roads Virginia: CSS Virginia, Jamestown and Yorktown versus USS Cumberland, Congress and Monitor. [1]
March 9
  • "Monitor" (Union) and "Merrimack" (Rebel) battle in Hampton Roads. [1]
March 11
  • General Stonewall Jackson evacuates Winchester, Virginia. [1]
  • Lincoln removes McClellen as general-in-chief and makes him head of Army of the Potomac. General Henry Halleck is named general-in-chief. [1]
March 14
  • Battle of New Bern, North Carolina: General Burnside conquers New Bern. [1]
March 15
  • General John Hunt Morgan begins four days of raids near Gallatin, Tennessee. [1]
March 16
  • Battle at Pound Gap, Kentucky: Confederates separate battles. [1]
March 23
  • Battle of Kernstown, Virginia - Jackson begins his Valley Campaign. [1]
March 26
  • Battle of La Glorieta Pass, New Mexico Territory (Apache Canyon, Pigeon's Ranch). [1]
March 28
  • Skirmish at Bealeton Station, Virginia. [1]
March 31
  • Civil War action at Island #10 on the Mississippi River. [1]
April 1
  • Shenandoah Valley campaign, Jackson's Battle of Woodstock, Virginia. [1]
April 4
  • Battle of Yorktown begins. [1]
  • US begins Peninsular Campaign aimed at capturing Richmond. [1]
April 5
  • Siege of Yorktown, Virginia. [1]
April 6
  • Battle of Shiloh; Union defeats Confederacy in South-West Tennessee. [1]
April 7
  • Grant defeats Confederates at Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee; Island #10 falls. [1]
April 11
  • Rebels surrender Fort Pulaski, Georgia. [1]
April 12
  • James Andrews steals Confederate train (General) at Kennesaw, Georgia. [1]
  • Union troops occupy Fort Pulaski, Georgia. [1]
April 14
  • Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee. [1]
April 16
  • Confederate President Jefferson Davis approves conscription act for white males between 18-35. [1]
  • Slavery is officially banned in the District of Columbia. [1] [5]
April 18
  • Battles of Fort Jackson, Fort Saint Philip, and New Orleans, Louisiana. [1]
April 25
  • Battle of New Orleans, Louisiana - US Admiral Farragut occupies New Orleans. [1]
April 26
  • US troops reclaim possession of the New Orleans Mint. [401.36] [488.36]
April 29
  • 100,000 federal troops prepare to march into Corinth, Mississippi. [1]
April 30
  • Swift Run Gap, West Virginia, skirmishes. [1]
May 1
  • Union Army captain David Farragut recaptures New Orleans. [1] [516.93]
May 4
  • Battle at Williamsburg, Virginia. [1]
  • Yorktown, Virginia - McClellan halted his troop before town as it is full of armed torpedoes left by Confederate Brigadier General Gabrial Rains. [1]
May 5
  • Peninsular Campaign - Battle of Williamsburg, Virginia. [1]
May 7
  • Battle of West Point, Virginia (Eltham's Landing, Barnhamsville). [1]
May 8
  • Valley Campaign: Federals repulsed at Battle of McDowell, Virginia. [1]
May 9
  • Battle of Farmington, Mississippi. [1]
  • Battle of Fort Pickens, Florida (Pensacola), evacuated by Confederates. [1]
  • US Naval Academy relocated from Annapolis, Maryland, to Newport, Rhode Island. [1]
May 10
  • Battle of Plum Run Bend, Tennessee (Plum Point Bend). [1]
May 11
  • Confederates scuttle CSS Virginia off Norfolk, Virginia. [1]
May 12
  • Federal troops occupy Baton Rouge, Louisiana. [1]
May 15
  • Battle of Drewry's Bluff (Fort Darling), Virginia. [1]
  • Battle of Princeton, West Virginia. [1]
  • Confederate cruiser The Alabama runs aground near London. [1]
May 17
  • Battle of Princeton, West Virginia, ends; about 128 casualities. [1]
May 23
  • Battle at Front Royal, Virginia. [1]
  • Valley Campaign - Stonewall Jackson takes Front Royal, Virginia. [1]
May 25
  • Battle of Winchester, Virginia. [1]
May 27
  • Battle of Hanover Court House, Virginia (Slash Church, Peake's Station). [1]
May 30
  • Battle of Booneville, Mississippi - captured General Beauregard evacuates Corinth, Mississippi. [1]
  • Battle of Front Royal, Virginia. [1]
May 31
  • Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia (Fair Oaks); North defeats South. [1]
June 1
  • General Lee assumes command after Joe Johnston is injured at Seven Pines. [1]
June 2
  • General Robert E Lee takes command of the Confederate armies of East Virginia and North Carolina. [1]
June 4
  • Confederates evacuate Fort Pillow, Tennessee. [1]
June 6
  • General Turner Ashby is killed near Harrisonburg, Virginia. [1]
  • Battle of Memphis - the city is surrendered. [1]
June 8
  • Valley Campaign - Battle of Cross Keys, Virginia. [1]
June 9
  • Battle of Port Republic, last of five battles in Jackson's Valley camp. [1]
June 15
  • General JEB Stuart completes his "ride around McClellan". [1]
June 19
  • Slavery outlawed in US territories. [1]
June 25
  • Day one of the 7 Days begins with fighting at Oak Grove. [1]
June 26
  • Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Union repulse Confederacy in Virginia. [1]
  • Day two of the 7 Days - Battle of Mechanicsville. [1]
June 27
  • Day three of the 7 Days - Battle of Gaines' Mill. [1]
June 28
  • Day four of the 7 Days - Battle of Savage's Station. [1]
June 29
  • Day five of the 7 Days - Battle of Savage's Station. [1]
June 30
  • Day six of the 7 Days - Battle of White Oak Swamp. [1]
July 1
  • Day 7 of the 7 Days - Battle of Malvern Hill. [1]
July 9
  • General John Hunt Morgan captures Tompkinsville, Kentucky. [1]
July 28
  • Confederate forces defeated at Moore's Hill, Missouri. [1]
August 6
  • CSA ironclad "Arkansas" is badly damaged in Union attack. [1]
August 9
  • Prelude to second Manassas, Jackson is victorious at Battle of Cedar Mount, however General Charles S Winder is killed. [1]
August 12
  • General John Hunt Morgan and his raiders capture Gallatin, Texas. [1]
August 25
  • Secretary of War authorizes General Rufus Saxton to arm 5,000 slaves. [1]
August 29
  • Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) begins. [1]
August 30
  • Battle of Altamont - Confederates beat Union forces in Tennessee. [1]
  • Battle of second Manassas - Pope defeated by Lee - Battle of Richmond, Kentucky. [1]
September 1
  • Severe action at Chantilly, Virginia. [1]
September 5
  • General Lee crosses the Potomac and enters Maryland. [1]
September 6
  • Stonewall Jackson occupies Fredrick, Maryland. [1]
September 9
  • General Lee splits his army and sends Jackson to capture Harper's Ferry. [1]
September 15
  • Stonewall Jackson takes Harper's Ferry. [1]
September 16
  • General Bragg's army surrounds 4000 federals at Munfordville, Kentucky. [1]
September 17
  • Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) - bloodiest day of the US Civil War. [1] [437.80] [502.38] [549.72]
September 19
  • Battle of Luka, Mississippi. [1]
September 22
  • US President Abraham Lincoln issues an executive order, declaring freedom for all slaves in any state in the Confederacy that did not return to Union control by January 1, 1863. [1] [505.70]
September 23
  • Lincoln's Emancipation is published in Northern Newspapers. [1]
September 24
  • Confederate Congress adopts confederacy seal. [1]
October 3
  • Battle of Corinth, Mississippi. [1]
October 4
  • Battle of Corinth ends. [1]
October 8
  • Battle of Perryville, Kentucky - Confederate invasion halted. [1]
October 12
  • JEB Stuart completes his "second ride around McClellan". [1]
  • Major General Earl Van Dorn assumes command of Confederate troops in Missisippi. [1]
October 18
  • Morgan's raiders capture the federal garrison at Lexington, Kentucky. [1]
November 9
  • General Grant issues orders to bar Jews from serving under him. [1]
November 17
  • Confederate Secretary of War George B Randolph resigns. [1]
November 20
  • Confederate army of Tennessee, organizes under General Braxton Bragg. [1]
December 5
  • Battle of Coffeeville, Mississippi. [1]
December 7
  • Battle of Hartsville, Tennessee. [1]
  • Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. [1]
December 12
  • Battle of Dumfries, Virginia. [1]
  • The two electrically detonated underwater torpedoes sink the USS Cairo ironclad battleship in the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg, Mississippi. [701.18,20]
December 13
  • Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Marye's Heights); South beats North. [1]
December 17
  • General Ulysses Grant issues order #11, expelling Jews from Tennessee. [1]
December 18
  • Battle at Lexington, Tennessee (Forrest's Second Raid). [1]
December 19
  • Skirmish at Jackson/Salem Church, Tennessee (80 casualties). [1]
December 20
  • Battle of Holly Spring, Mississippi. [1]
  • Battle of Kelly's Ford, Virginia. [1]
  • Brigadier-General Nathan B Forrest occupies Trenton, Kentucky. [1]
  • Vicksburg campaign. [1]
December 22
  • Raid on Morgan's: Bardstown to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. [1]
December 23
  • Union General Ben "Beast" Butler is proclaimed a "felon, outlaw and common enemy of mankind" by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. [1]
December 26
  • Battle of Dumfries, Virginia. [1]
December 27
  • Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi (Chickasaw Bayou). [1]
  • Battle of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. [1]
December 29
  • Battle of Chichasaw Bayou: Confederate armies defeat Union Army General Tecumseh Sherman with loss of 1700 men. [1] [701.18]
December 31
  • James Edward Rains, lawyer/Confederate Brigadier-General, dies in battle at age 29. [1]
  • Joshua Woodrow Sill, US Union Brigadier-General, dies in battle at age 31. [1]
  • Battle of Stone's River, Tennessee (Stone River, Murfreesboro). [1]
  • US President Abraham Lincoln signs act admitting West Virginia to the Union. [1]
  • Skirmish at Parker Cross Roads Tennessee. [1]
  • Union ironclad ship Monitor sinks off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. [1]

End of 1862. Next: 1863.

Discount Magazines
The complete timeline can be purchased in a PDF file for US$10 from the author.

You can pay now directly via PayPal. When I receive notification from PayPal, I will email you the PDF file.
Solution Graphics
or send me an email to request my mailing address to mail payment.

Search the timeline
1858-1861 1862 1863 1864 1865-end


A list of references to all source material is available.

Other web pages of interest:

  • Chronology of USA History
  • Today in USA History
  • Chronology of World History
    Last updated: 2012 January 26.
    Copyright © 2007-2012 Ken Polsson (email: contact@worldtimeline.info).
    URL: http://worldtimeline.info/uscivilwar/
    Link to Ken P's home page.

    Book Sightseeing Tours, Day trips, Activities and Things to do with City-Discovery.com

     Hosted by Islandnet.com