This US Civil War timeline focuses on the eastern states, the area east of the Appalachians in the vicinity of the rival capitals of Washington and Richmond. For the western theater, see this page on US Civil War dates in 1863.
The 1863 campaigns open along the Rappahannock in the final days of April as Burnside's replacement, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, leads the Army of the Potomac upstream to slip around Lee's left flank. Lee responds aggressively and during the first week of May wins what has been called his greatest victory. That victory is costly, because, Stonewall Jackson is mortally wounded, but it gives the Confederate the opportunity to march northward into Pennsylvania. The Army of the Potomac follows, and, now under Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's direction, gives Lee a stinging defeat at Gettysburg on July 1-3.
After Lee's retreat into Virginia, both armies spend the next three months recuperating while the military frontier alternates between the river lines of the Rappahannock and Rapidan west of Fredericksburg. Both armies are also reduced in strength as troops are ordered west to bolster operations around Chattanooga. Lee's attempt to turn Meade's flank in October crests in defeat at Bristoe Station. A similar move by Meade south of the Rapidan culminates in stalemate at Mine Run at the end of November.
Jan 1 Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation
Jan 19-23 Burnside's Mud March
Jan 26 Joseph Hooker succeeds Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac
Apr 11-May 4 Siege of Suffolk, Va.
Apr-May, Chancellorsville Campaign, Va.
Apr 29-May 8 Stoneman's Rd.
May 1-4 Battle of Chancellorsville
May 2 Stonewall Jackson
May 3 Second Battle of Fredericksburg
May 3-4 Battle of Salem Church
May 10 Stonewall Jackson dies at Guiney's Station, Va.
Jun 3-Jul 13 Gettysburg Campaign, Pa.
Jun 9 Battle of Brandy Station, Va.
Jun 13-15 Second Battle of Winchester, Va
Jun 28 George G. Meade replaces Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac
Jul 1-3 Battle of Gettysburg
Jul 13-16 New York City draft riots
Oct 9-22 Bristoe Campaign, Va.
Oct 14 Battle of Briscoe Station
Nov 6 Battle of Droop Mountain, W.Va.
Nov 7 Engagement at Rappahannock Station, Va.
Nov 19 Lincoln delivers his Gettysburg Address.
Nov 26-Dec 2 Mine Run Campaign, Va.
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Source materials published by the National Park Service were used to create this US Civil War Timeline for 1863.
