Robert E. Lee

President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus in April 1861.

South Carolina militia bombarded Fort Sumter on April 12–13, 1861, leading to its surrender and the start of the Civil War.

Confederate forces defeated Union General John Pope's Army of Virginia in August 1862, damaging Union morale.

The concluding battle of the Northern Virginia Campaign occurred on September 1, 1862, in Fairfax County.

Union forces engaged Confederate troops near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862, providing Lincoln a military victory.

Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, citing his authority as Commander-in-Chief.

Confederate cavalry raided Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in October 1862, following the Maryland campaign.

Confederate forces under Lee attacked Union troops at Beaver Dam Creek on June 26, 1862, initiating the Seven Days Battles near Richmond.

Fought on October 14, 1863, at Bristoe Station, Virginia, between Union forces under a major general and Confederate forces, amid Lee's march around Cedar Mountain.

Stonewall Jackson was accidentally shot by Confederate pickets on May 2, 1863.

The fiercest fighting occurred on May 3 as Lee launched multiple attacks against the Union position at Chancellorsville.

The largest cavalry battle of the Civil War occurred on June 9, 1863, at Brandy Station, Virginia, marking the start of the Gettysburg campaign.

Confederate forces defeated the Union garrison in Winchester, Virginia, between June 13 and 15, 1863, during the Gettysburg campaign.

An inconclusive cavalry engagement took place on June 17, 1863, in Loudoun County, Virginia, as part of the Gettysburg campaign.

Union forces under Meade defeated Lee's army in the largest battle of the war, fought from July 1 to 3, 1863, in Pennsylvania.

Meade's failed attempt to destroy Lee's army in late 1863, ending in withdrawal across the Rapidan River.

Lee sent a resignation letter to Davis on August 8, 1863, following the defeat at Gettysburg.

The Arlington Estate was auctioned on January 11, 1864, following tax sale proceedings under Civil War legislation.

Private William Henry Christman of Pennsylvania was buried at Arlington Cemetery on 13 May 1864, before formal burial authorization.

Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton approved the establishment of a military cemetery on 15 June 1864, though one source dates establishment to 13 May 1864.

Fought from May 31 to June 12, 1864, near Mechanicsville, Virginia, with significant fighting on June 3. The battle occurred on ground previously contested during the Seven Days Battles of 1862.

Union forces detonated a mine beneath Confederate lines, creating a gap in defenses near Petersburg, Virginia.

The Crater became one of Burnside's two remembered disastrous defeats; inquiries later examined Ledlie's conduct and the changed plan of attack.

Grant crossed the Rapidan River on May 4, 1864, to place forces between Lee and Richmond, initiating the Overland Campaign.

Fighting occurred from May 8 through May 21, 1864, as Grant attempted to break the Confederate line.

Union Major General John Sedgwick was killed by a long-range shot on May 9, 1864.

Sheridan's cavalry engaged Confederate forces, resulting in the mortal wounding of J.E.B. Stuart on May 11, 1864.

A Confederate victory occurred in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign on May 20, 1864.

Union troops compelled Confederate forces to retreat from Four Oaks, North Carolina, during the Battle of Bentonville.

Confederate forces briefly captured Fort Stedman before being repulsed, weakening their positions.

Union victory at Five Forks forced the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond.

Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.

Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to William Tecumseh Sherman at Bennett Place.

The steamboat Sultana exploded and sank in the Mississippi River, killing 1,164 people.

The Confederate Congress formally designated Robert E. Lee as General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States on January 23, 1865.