Historical Marker

Harrisburg Cemetery

Historical marker location:
515 North 13th Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
( Marker can be reached from North 13th Street north of Liberty Street, on the left when traveling north.)

Harrisburg. Civil War Trails

  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.

Audiobooks about the history of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania was home to the first commercially drilled oil well in the world, which was drilled in 1859 near Titusville.
Pennsylvania random facts
Dauphin County, located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has a rich and diverse history dating back to its establishment in 1785. The land was originally occupied by several Native American tribes, including the Iroquois Confederacy and the Susquehannock Indians. European settlers began arriving in the late 17th century, with Scots-Irish and German immigrants being the predominant groups.

The county's name, Dauphin, was derived from the title "Dauphin of France," which was given to the oldest son of the French king. The name was chosen to honor the French assistance during the American Revolution. In the early years, Dauphin County was primarily an agricultural area, with farming being the main occupation for its residents. The fertile soil and access to the Susquehanna River made it ideal for farming.

The county played a significant role during the American Civil War, with the state capital, Harrisburg, being an important strategic location. Confederate forces attempted to capture Harrisburg multiple times, with the most notable being the invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863, which culminated in the Battle of Gettysburg. The county also became an important transportation hub during the industrial revolution, with the construction of canals and railroads connecting it to major cities.

Over the years, Dauphin County has witnessed significant growth and development. In the 20th century, there was a shift from agriculture to industrial and service-based industries. The construction of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in the 1970s brought international attention to the county during the infamous accident in 1979. Today, Dauphin County remains a vibrant and diverse community, with a mix of urban areas, suburbs, and rural farmland, offering residents a high quality of life and a rich historical heritage to explore.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

  • 1785 - Dauphin County was officially established on March 4th.
  • 1790 - Harrisburg became the county seat.
  • 1838 - The Pennsylvania Canal opened, connecting Dauphin County to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
  • 1848 - The Pennsylvania Railroad reached Harrisburg, boosting the county's transportation infrastructure.
  • 1863 - The Battle of Gettysburg took place, impacting Dauphin County and the surrounding areas.
  • 1972 - The Three Mile Island accident occurred, causing a partial meltdown at the nuclear power plant in Dauphin County.
  • 2001 - The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts opened in Harrisburg, offering educational and entertainment opportunities.