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Battle at Fort Sumter
This was the first battle of the Civil War. Fort Sumter was a Northern military base located in the harbor of Charleston, SC. The South wanted them to leave, so they attacked them. The battle lasted about two days, and was won by the South. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The first major battle of the Civil War occured near a town called Manassas Junction. Because of this, the South called this battle First Manassas. The North named it Bull Run because it occured near a stream called Bull Run. -
McClellan's Peninsular Campaign
McClellan's Peninsular Campaign lasted several months, with the Seven Days' Battle ending it. Because of McClellan's hesitation in waiting for reinforcements, Lee was able to attack and push the Union soldiers back down the peninsula. -
Capture of Fort Henry
The first major battle in 1862 was a capture of a Southern Fort by Ulysses S. Grant. After sending the bulk of the army defending Fort Henry to Fort Donelson, the commander surrendered to Grant. -
Capture of Fort Donelson
After capturing Fort Henry, Grant moved to Fort Donelson, about 10 miles away. Once there, the Southern soldiers surrendered after a failed attempt at defending the Fort. This battle earned Grant the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. -
Battle of the Ironclads
Using a previously sunken ship, the South covered the hull with iron plates. After this ship, called the Virginia, defeated several of the Union's wooden ships, the Union built an ironclad ship with revolving guns. -
Battle of Shiloh
After the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, the Confederate commander in Kentucky moved to Mississippi and takes the offensive against General Grant. The South attacked, and some soldiers on the Northern side formed a battle line and called it the "Hornet's Nest". Later that day, Grant recieved reinforcements, outnumbering the South by about 10,000 men. When Beauregard, the Southern commander, realizes this, he retreats. -
Battle of New Orleans
Near the end of April, the Union taking the city of New Orleans was nearly unavoidable. Farragut and his squadron demanded the surrender of the city on the 25th. Three days later, the Union gained official control of New Orleans. During the next two days, the city was occupied by Union troops. -
Seven Days' Battle
Part of the Peninsular Campaign, the Seven Days' Battle was the last battle in which Lee pushed McClellan, who was waiting for reinforcements, back down the peninsula. It was several battles over the range of seven days, including Oak Grove, Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill, Garnetts & Goldings Farm, Savage's Station, Glendale or White Oak Swamp, and Malvern Hill. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
General Lee drew General Pope of the North into a battle in which Pope felt sure he could win. Reinforcements took up places near the side of the Union army, but Pope did not seem to notice. The Union was crushed and retreated back to Bull Run. -
Battle of Antietam
Led by McClelland and Lee, the two armies clashed in Washington County. September 17 is now known as the bloodiest day in the Civil War. After 2 days of fighting, the South goes back to the Shenandoaah Valley because McClellan stopped fighting. Although neither side really won, the Union holds the strategic victory. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
General Burnside and the Union army occupied Fredericksburg while Lee's troops camped behind the town. Later, Burnside crossed the river and fought Lee, a battle ending in thousands of casualties. The North eventually crossed back over to the town, leaving the Confederates as the victors of this battle. -
Fall of Vicksburg
During the summer months of 1863, Grant surrounded the Confederates in the town of Vicksburg. The city was under siege until July fourth, when they surrendered. This battle split the South; Vicksburg had been the last port on the Mississippi controlled by Confederate forces. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Confederates decided to attack the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg. The first day, they managed to drive the Union soldiers To cemetery ridge. Both sides recieved reinforcements that night. The next day, Lee tried to surround the Union army, but by the third, they were forced off Culp's Hill. That afternoon, the famous Pickett's Charge took place, resulting in many casualties and ultimatly retreat. -
Battle of Chickamauga
This battle did not originate in Chicamauga. The North first attacked Chattanooga, and forced the Confederates south. The Confederate general was determined to regain Chickamauga, and so he attacked. After the Northern general was informed he supposedly had a hole in his line, he adjusted his troops, creating a way for the Confederates to break through and force many soldiers off the field. -
Battle of Chatanooga
During the spring of 1863, the South split up into many different sections to confuse the North. A division of Union troops went towards Chatanooga to repair a railroad, and skirmished with the South. Soon afterwards, a small party is commanded to go and capture Chatanooga. When they reached the town, there was a battle with few Confederate losses, and the Union claimed the victory. -
Seize of Petersburg
The Union marched to and attacked Petersburg. At first they were able to overcome the Confederates, but after receiving reinforcements, the South gained back some ground. This battle was a victory for the South, but Petersburg was held under seige by the North, and their leader was killed. -
Fall of Atlanta
The Confederates withdrew from Atlanta's outer line. They decided to split up and attack at different points in the Union army. But their timing was off, and because a reserve force was sent by McPhearson, a skirmsh broke out about the same time McPhearson was shot. After breaking thtough the Union line, the Confederates are repelled and counterattacked by another section of the Union army. -
Seize of Richmond
The Confederate and Union forces meet and skirmished. That afternoon the Confederates were forced back to Big Hill. A Union commander sent men towards the Confederates, and they battled. The fighting on the 29 ended after the Union chased and battled the Confederates late that afternoon. The next day, after fighting, the North is defeated and forced to retreat. While retreating, the about 4,000 Union soldiers were captured. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman, a Northern leader, marched through Georgia with his troops and destroyed everything in his path that could not be used by the Union. He and his soldiers left behind a 60 mile wide trail of destruction. -
Surrender at Appomatox
Lee decided to surrender. At the Appomattox Courthouse, terms of surrender were made: take role of all officers and soldiers; the officers and soldiers under them had to agree not to fight against the US government; all public property is to be turned over to Union hands; the officers and soldiers of the Confederacy will not lose their personal property; all men are allowed to go home as long as they respect the promises made to the government -
Battle of Palmito
300 Union soldiers are sent to attack Rebel camps. When they made it, the camp was deserted. There are several skirmishes in the following days, and ultimately the Confederates force the Union to retreat.