Event Harper's Ferry 1859 Confederate States February 1861 First Shots April 12th, 1861 War Begins April 13th - 14th, 1861 Start of Civil War Northern Home Front Southern Home Front First Battle of Bull Run War in the West Union Navy War at Sea Shiloh Fredericksburg The Battle of Fair Oaks Seven Days' Battle Second Battle of Bull Run Date Significance General Lee's Invasion of the North Emancipation Proclamation Chancellorsville Vicksburg Lee's Second Invasion of the North Battle of Gettysburg New York Riots Gettysburg National Cemetery Gettysburg Address Ulysses S. Grant Takes Command Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Spotsylvania Battle of Cold Harbor General Sheridan - Shenandoah Sherman's March to the Sea Petersburg and Richmond End of Civil War