Civil War In Missouri Presented by The State Historical Society
Scroll through history and discover the Battles & Skirmishes, Political Events, and Historic Happenings of the Civil War era, 1854-1875, using the interactive timeline which highlights significant historical milestones on the state and national stage.
The timeline is part of the [American Civil War in Missouri Website](http://shs.umsystem.edu/civilwar/index.html) by the [State Historical Society of Missouri](http://shs.umsystem.edu/index.shtml). ;xNLx;;xNLx;Images and newspaper clippings that appear in the timeline are from various collections housed at the State Historical Society of Missouri.
1854-05-30 22:33:43
Kansas-Nebraska Act
1855-12-04 10:28:19
Raid on Liberty Arsenal
1857-03-06 22:33:43
Dred Scott v. Sanford
U.S. Supreme Court rules on Dred Scott v. Sanford.
1858-12-20 02:57:46
Vernon County Raid
John Brown raids Vernon County, killing one slave owner and freeing eleven slaves.
1860-12-20 16:10:46
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina secedes from the Union (Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas follow suit over the next months).
1861-02-18 14:01:25
State Convention
Delegates are elected for the State Convention of Missouri.
1861-02-18 14:01:25
Jefferson Davis Inaugurated
Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America.
1861-03-04 14:01:25
Lincoln Takes Office
Abraham Lincoln becomes 16th President of the United States.
1861-04-12 14:01:25
First Battle of the Civil War
Confederates in Charleston bombard Ft. Sumter (first battle of the Civil War).
1861-05-10 14:01:25
Capture of Camp Jackson
Camp Jackson affair takes place in St. Louis.
1861-06-17 14:01:25
First Battle of Boonville
1861-07-05 14:01:25
Battle of Carthage
1861-07-21 14:01:25
Battle of Bull Run
War's first major battle erupts at Manassas (Bull Run), VA.
1861-08-10 14:01:25
Battle of Wilson's Creek
Nathaniel Lyon is killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri.
1861-08-30 14:01:25
Martial Law is Declared in Missouri
Martial Law is declared in Missouri and will remain in effect throughout the war.
1861-09-13 14:01:25
Battle of Lexington
The battle ends when the Union garrison surrenders the town of Lexington, Missouri.
1862-02-03 15:44:10
War Elephants
President Lincoln refuses an offer from the King of Siam to send war elephants.
1862-03-07 14:01:25
Battle of Pea Ridge
The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, occurs.
1862-03-14 14:01:25
New Madrid Captured
Union forces capture New Madrid, Missouri.
1862-04-08 14:01:25
Battle of Shiloh
Pittsburg, TN
1862-04-10 14:01:25
Emancipation Resolution Approved
Lincoln approves a resolution calling for the gradual emancipation of slaves.
1862-06-01 14:01:25
Robert E. Lee Assumes Command
1862-08-11 14:01:25
Independence, MO, Captured
Confederate partisans capture Independence, Missouri.
1862-08-28 14:01:25
Second Battle of Bull Run
1862-09-17 14:01:25
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam occurs at Sharpsburg, Maryland.
1862-10-03 14:01:25
Battle of Corinth, Mississippi
1862-10-18 14:01:25
Palmyra Massacre
Palmyra Massacre occurs in retaliation for the kidnapping of a Union sympathizer by Confederate troops.
1862-10-27 12:49:06
Skirmish at Island Mound
This Missouri skirmish marks the first time U.S. Colored Troops fight as an organized unit.
1862-12-11 14:01:25
Battle of Fredericksburg
1863-01-01 12:49:06
Emancipation Proclamation Signed
1863-03-03 12:49:06
First Conscription Act Signed
Abraham Lincoln signs the first Conscription Act.
1863-04-30 12:49:06
Battle of Chancellorsville
Spotsylvania, VA
1863-07-01 12:49:06
Battle of Gettysburg
1863-07-04 12:49:06
Vicksburg Confederates Surrender
The Confederates surrender Vicksburg, Mississippi.
1863-08-21 12:49:06
Lawrence, Kansas, Burns
William Quantrill raids Lawrence, Kansas, killing over 180 citizens and burning much of the town.
1863-08-25 12:49:06
Order No. 11 Issued
Order No. 11 is issued, which forces rural citizens in Cass, Jackson, Bates and Vernon counties to leave their homes and most of their belongings and move to larger towns and military outposts in the area, or move out of the region.
1863-09-19 12:49:06
Battle of Chickamauga
1863-10-17 12:49:06
300,000 Army Volunteers Requested
Lincoln calls for 300,000 additional volunteers to join the army.
1863-11-19 12:49:06
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers the "Gettysburg Address."
1864-03-09 12:49:06
Grant Commissioned and Takes Command
1864-05-05 12:49:06
Battle of the Wilderness
1864-05-08 12:49:06
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
1864-05-31 12:49:06
Battle of Cold Harbor
1864-09-02 12:49:06
Fall of Atlanta
1864-09-24 12:49:06
Battle of Pilot Knob
The battle ensues at Fort Davidson, Missouri.
1864-09-27 12:49:06
Massacre at Centralia, MO
"Bloody Bill" Anderson and his guerrilla followers massacre Union troops in and near Centralia.
1864-10-21 12:49:06
Battle of Westport, Missouri
Westport was the largest battle west of the Mississippi River and the climax of Sterling Price's 1864 invasion of Missouri.
1864-11-15 12:49:06
Sherman’s March to the Sea
1864-12-15 12:49:06
Battle of Nashville
1864-12-21 12:49:06
Savannah captured