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The Firing on Fort Sumter
This was very important because it started the Civil War. It was when President Lincoln actually started to act because Confederate soldiers fired on a Union army base. It wasn't really an actual battle and it lasted from April 12-13, 1861.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Sumter -
The Battle of Bull Run
Also known as the First Battle of Manasses, the Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War. It was fought in Virginia, and the Confederacy won by forcing the Union back towards Washington D.C. The Union expected to win this battle, but they were in for a surprise when they took on Confederate General Beauregard's troops for a Confederate victory.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Bull_Run -
The Battle of Fort Donelson
This battle was fought from February 12 to the 16th, 1862, and it took place in Tennessee. The Union was first invading the South when the Confederate army attacked. They fought until U.S. Grant forced General Simon Buckner to surrender. As a result, the Union gained control of the Cumberland River.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Donelson -
The Battle of Shiloh
This was an important Union victory won by General U.S. Grant. It started with the Confederates firing a surprise attack on the Union down in Shiloh, TN. The Confederates were winning for the first day, but the Union made a comeback on the second. As a result, this gave the Union the chance to progress up into northern Mississippi.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shiloh -
Battle of Gettysburg
This was another Union victory that took place in Pennsylvania on July 1-3, 1863. It was the battle with the most casualties in the war. It's often said to be the Civil War's turning point because it stopped Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburg -
The Battle of Vicksburg
This battle was just when the Union soldiers were pushing the Confederates back into the city lines of the town of Vicksburg. The Union repeatedly attacked the Confederates until they had to surrender. This ended a long series of battles. It lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863! That's almost two months!
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg -
The Battle of the Wilderness
This battle was fought in Spotsylvania and Orange County, Virginia and lasted from May 5-7, 1864. It was a rough battle, although it ended in a draw. Both sides had heavy casualties.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Wilderness -
The Battle of Waynesboro, Georgia
This was a Union victory, but the Confederates did gain something. Confederate General Wheeler stopped Union General Kilpatrick from attacking Confederate General Sherman. It took place on December 4, 1864.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waynesboro_(GA) -
The Battle of Hatcher's Run
This battle was a Union victory that took place in the south and west of Petersburg. It was when the North went and tried to destroy as many Confederate wagons as possible, while other Northern soldiers kept Confederate soldiers busy in the north and east. It lasted from February 5th through the 7th, 1865.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hatcher%27s_Run -
The Battle of Palmito Ranch
The Battle of Palmito Ranch took place on May 12-13, 1865. It is important because it is the last battle of the Civil War, and it was a Confederate victory.
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Palmito_Ranch