The Civil War: 12 things to know

North and South disagree over slavery

Southern states secede from the Union

The Civil War begins

Union rejects the Anaconda Plan

Union Army captures Fort Henry

Battle of Antietam bloodiest day of the war

Lee's Confederates win Battle of Fredericksburg

Emancipation Proclamation frees slaves

Union begins draft

Battle of Gettysburg sends Confederate forces home

Lee surrenders

Reconstruction begins

Key dates

Glossary.