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Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1862 in United States of America
Explore 61 historical events and records for United States of America in 1862.
Historical records for United States of America in 1862
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 61 unique records.
61Unique records
1 of 2Page
24Named events on this page
13Named people on this page
9Places on this page
January
Pacific Railway Act
Lincoln signs the Pacific Railway Act supporting a transcontinental railroad
Pacific Railway Act
Lincoln signs the Pacific Railway Act supporting construction of the first transcontinental railroad
Revenue Act
Lincoln signs a broader Revenue Act expanding federal tax administration
Transcontinental Railroad
Pacific Railway Act grants federal support for construction of the transcontinental railroad
Annual Message to Congress
Lincoln sends his second annual message to Congress
February
Agricultural Colleges
Federal land grants are authorized to support agricultural and mechanical colleges
Morrill Land Grant Colleges Act
Lincoln signs the Morrill Act supporting land grant colleges
Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act
Lincoln signs the Morrill Act supporting land grant colleges
Legal Tender Act
Congress authorises United States notes not immediately redeemable in specie.
Legal Tender Act
The Legal Tender Act authorises non-convertible greenbacks to finance the Civil War, creating a paper currency that circulates separately from gold.
April
Battle of Shiloh
An indecisive battle
Battle of Shiloh
Grant defeats Confederate troops led by Johnston who is killed
May
Battle of Chanceville
Killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville by one of his own soldiers in the confusion. Helps defeat Unionists under General Hooker
Death of Thomas Jonathan Stonewall Jackson
Killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville by one of his own soldiers in the confusion
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act offers public land to settlers who improve and occupy it.
July
Pacific Railway Act
The Pacific Railway Act supports construction of a transcontinental railroad with land and bonds.
August
Morrill Anti Bigamy Act
Lincoln signs legislation restricting bigamy in United States territories
Battle of Manassas, 2nd
Union forces from Washington are stopped from reaching Richmond
September
Battle of Antietam
Unionist General at the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Confederates lose 2,700 dead & 9,000 wounded. The Battle paves the way for Lincolns Proclamation of Emancipation. Robert Lees plan to convert Maryland to the Confederate cause is defeated. A tactical stalemate but strategically very important for the Unionists
Battle of Antietam
The Unionists lose 2,100 dead & 9,500 wounded. Blocks the Confederates under General Lee on Maryland & Washington DC
Battle of Antietam
Robert Lees plan to convert Maryland to the Confederate cause is defeated
Battle of Antietam
Unionist General at the Battle of Antietam
Election
Elected to the United States House of Representatives
December
Battle of Fredericksburg
Leads the Northern army of 113,000 defended by Jackson with 75,000. Fails to capture Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is defended by Jackson with a southern army of 75,000. Burnside leads a Northern army of 113,000 but fails to capture Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
Supports Jackson at Fredericksburg
Other events (month unknown)
Legal Tender Act
Lincoln signs the Legal Tender Act authorizing United States notes
United States Notes
Federal paper currency is authorized as legal tender
Department of Agriculture Act
Lincoln signs legislation creating the United States Department of Agriculture
Homestead Act
Lincoln signs the Homestead Act opening western public land to settlers
Battle of Antietam
Union forces halt Lees invasion of Maryland and give Lincoln the opportunity to issue emancipation policy
Emancipation War Aim
Preliminary proclamation makes abolition in Confederate controlled areas an official Union war objective
Loyal War Governors Conference
Northern governors meet at Altoona and support Lincoln and the Union war effort
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln announces that enslaved people in rebellious areas will be declared free on January 1 1863
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issues the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation after the Battle of Antietam
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln makes emancipation a central Union war aim
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln warns rebellious states that enslaved people will be declared free unless they return to the Union
6th Wisconsin Infantry
Serves with the Iron Brigade during Union campaigns in Virginia.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.