Historical Marker

Cortlandt Civil War Monument

Historical marker location:
Peekskill, New York
( Marker is at the intersection of North Division Street and Cortlandt Street, on the left when traveling north on North Division Street.)
Marker installed: 1916

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

In 1901, President William McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, New York. He was shot by an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz while attending the Pan-American Exposition.
New York random facts
Westchester County, located in the southeastern part of the state of New York, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The original inhabitants of the area were Native American tribes, including the Wappinger and Siwanoy, who lived off the bountiful resources of the Hudson River and the region's forests.

European colonization of Westchester began in the early 1600s, when Dutch settlers established trading posts and farms in the area. The Dutch West India Company purchased land from Native American tribes and built settlements along the Hudson River, including present-day Yonkers and Tarrytown. In 1674, Westchester came under English rule as part of the Province of New York, and English towns and cities began to emerge.

During the American Revolution, Westchester County played a crucial role as a strategic location between the British-held city of New York and the Continental Army's headquarters in the Hudson Valley. Several major battles and skirmishes took place in the area, including the Battle of White Plains in 1776. Westchester residents were divided in their loyalties, with some supporting the British Crown and others fighting for American independence.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Westchester experienced rapid industrialization and suburbanization. The construction of railroads and the opening of the Tappan Zee Bridge in 1955 facilitated the growth of commuter suburbs, attracting residents from New York City. Today, Westchester County is known for its wealthy towns, vibrant arts scene, and scenic landscapes, making it a popular destination for residents and visitors alike.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Westchester County, New York.

  • 1683 - Westchester County is founded by an act of the New York Colonial Assembly.
  • 1776 - During the American Revolution, Westchester County is partially occupied by British forces.
  • 1788 - The village of Sing Sing (now called Ossining) becomes the location of New York State's first state prison.
  • 1846 - The first railroad in Westchester County, the New York and Harlem Railroad, opens.
  • 1872 - Untermyer Park and Gardens, one of Westchester's most famous parks, is established in Yonkers.
  • 1883 - The Bronx is separated from Westchester County and becomes part of New York City.
  • 1918 - The Bronx River Parkway, the first public parkway in the United States, is opened in Westchester County.
  • 1921 - Playland amusement park opens in Rye.
  • 1954 - The Tappan Zee Bridge, connecting Westchester and Rockland counties, is opened to traffic.
  • 1977 - Westchester becomes the first suburban area to implement a curbside recycling program.