When did the war begin and end officially?

War Begins!

In the winter 1860-1861

Lots of schemes for re(conciliation) were proposed but they failed. In his inaugural address as President, Lincoln appealed the South to stay in the Union. He said he would not interfere with slavery but would not allow them to break the United States by seceding. The South did not answer.


The Confederate States unhappy about the removing of slavery were the first to open fire on April 12 1861 at Fort Sumter(South Carolina). That marked the beginning of the Civil War.

War Ends

Confederate Surrenders

Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865, at the McLean House. In an untraditional gesture and as a sign of Grant's respect and anticipation of peacefully folding the Confederacy back into the Union, Lee was permitted to keep his officer's saber and his horse, Traveller.