January 31, 1862 - President Lincoln issues General War order #1 calling for all U.S. naval and land forces to begin a general advance by Feb. 22nd, George Washington's birthday. February 6, 1861 - Victory for General Ulyssses S. Grant in Tennessee, capturing Ft. Henry, and 10 days later Ft. Donelson. Grant earns his nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. February 20, 1862 - President Lincoln is struck with grief as his beloved 11 year old son Willie, dies from fever, probably caused by polluted drinking water in the White House. March 8 & 9, 1862 - The Confederate ironclad the "Merrimac" sinks 2 wooden Union ships, then battles the Union ironclad the "Monitor" to a draw. Naval warfare is changed forever, making wooden ships obsolete. For more information about the Monitor and the Merrimac CLICK HERE. April 6 & 7, 1862 - Battle of Shiloh. For more information about the Battle of Shiloh CLICK HERE. April 10 & 11, 1862 - Battle at Fort Pulaski. For more information about the Battle of Fort Pulaski CLICK HERE. April 24, 1862 - Seventeen Union battleships, under the command of Flag Officer David Farragut move up the Mississippi River to take New Orleans, the South's greatest seaport. By April 25th he was in command of New Orleans. May 5, 1862 - The Battle of Williamsburg. More on the Battle of Williamsburg CLICK HERE. May 31 - June 1, 1862 - Battle of Seven Pines. More information about the Battle of Seven Pines CLICK HERE. June 1, 1862 - General Robert E. Lee assumes command, replacing the wounded General Johnston. Lee renames his force the Army of Northern Virginia. McClellan isn't impressed and says, "Lee is likely to be timid and irresolute in action." June 25 - July 1, 1862 - The Seven Days Battles begin. More information about the Seven Days Battles CLICK HERE. July 11, 1862 - After 4 months as his own General-in-Chief, President Lincoln gives the post to General Henry W. Halleck. July 13, 1862 - Battle of Murfreesboro. More information about the Battle of Murfreesboro CLICK HERE. August 28 - 30, 1862 - Second Battle of Bull Run. For more information about the Second Battle of Bull Run CLICK HERE. September 12-15, 1862 - Battle at Harper's Ferry. For more information about the Battle at Harper's Ferry CLICK HERE. September 17, 1862 - Battle at Antietam. For more information about Antietam CLICK HERE. September 22, 1862 - Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation is issued. "Whereas on the 22nd day of September, A.D. 1862, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit: That on the 1st day of January, A.D., 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons and will do not act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they make for their actual freedom. That the executive will on the 1st day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State or the people thereof shall on that day be in good faith represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such States shall have participated shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion against the United States. Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit necessary was measure for repressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, A.D. 1863, and in accordance with my purpose to do so, publicly proclaim for the full period of 100 days from the first day above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people whereof, respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States the following to wit: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Palquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascention, Assumption, Terrebone, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans..including the city of New Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (except for 48 counties designated as West Virginia, also the counties of Berkeley, Accomac, Morthhampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk - including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth), and which expected parts are for the present left precisely as if this proclamation was not issued. And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and parts of States are, henceforward, shall be, free; and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless it is necessary in self-defense; and I recommend to them that, in all case when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages. And I further declare and make known that such persons of suitable condition will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places,and to man vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God." November 7, 1862 - President Abraham Lincoln replaces Gen. McClellan with Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside as the new Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln had grown impatient with McClellan's slowness to follow up on the success at Antietam, even telling him: "if you don't want to use the Army, I should like to borrow it for a while." December 11-15, 1862 - Battle at Fredericksburg. For more information about the Battle at Fredericksburg CLICK HERE.