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Battle for Fort Sumter
-In the battle for Fort Sumter, General Beauregard, who comanded the Confederate forces at Charleston, South Carolina, ordered the surrender of the Union garrison at Fort Sumter. Major Robert Anderson refused.
-The confederates opened fire, and the Union could not return it. on April 13, Anderson surrendered and they left the following day.
-There were no casualties, but it was an obvious win for the confederates.
-First fight of Civil War http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/sc001.htm -
First Battle of Bull Run
-This battle was the first real battle of the war. President Lincoln wanted quick work of the Confederates who were blocking the road to Richmond.
-General Irvin McDowell of the Union was able to start pushing the Confederates back, but they soon received reinforcements and were able to fight back against the confused Union
-The Union soldiers fled back to Washington, but the Confederates under General Beauregard were not able to persue. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/bullrun.html?tab -
The Battle of Shiloh
-General Albert Sidney Johnston's 40,000 confederate soldiers attacked Ulysses S. Grant's Union soldiers near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River.
-After the first day, Johnston was wounded and was replaced by P.G.T Beauregard. The confederates believed they were to win this battle, but the Union army received help.
-The battle ended in a stalemate, but is known as the bloodiest battle in American history at its time, with more than 23,000 casualties. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefie -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Confederate Robert E. Lee decided to attack Union General John Pope who was comanding the Union army of Virginia. In Prince William County, Lee used Thomas Jackson to draw Pope from his defensive position. The fighting began, but with reinforcements, the Confederates pushed the Union soldiers back ocer Bull Run territory.
-Lee took this oppurtunity to advance his army across the Potomac into Maryland. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/second-manassas.html?tab=facts -
Battle of Antietam
-After the Confederate victory at the second Battle of Bull run, Rober E. Lee's forces headed into Maryland, where they met the forces of Union general George G. McClellan
-The Union were first winnin the battle, but the Confederates soon got reinforcements and were able to fight back.
- The battle is known as the single bloodiest day and ended in a stalemate.
-The Confederates retreated, and Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam.html?tab=hom -
Battle of Vicksburg
Under the comand of General Grant, the Union army took control of the city in Warren County, Mississippi. They entrapped the Confederates, who were under the control of general John Pemberton
-The loss of Pembertons army, the Confederacy lost conrol of the Mississippi and was split in half. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/vicksburg.html?tab=home -
The Battle of Gettysburg
In Lee's second invasion of the North, for Pennsylvania, he met with Union general George G. Meade's forces. There was severe fighting at places like Devil's Den, Little Round Top, Peach Orchard, and East Cemetary Hill. Lee was able to push them back, but not destroy them.
-On the third day, the Union forces gained back land and Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetary Ridge.
-He was defeated with heavy losses in what is known as Pickett's Charge. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettys -
Battle of Wilderness, Virginia
-This battle was faught with a good number of attacks. On the first night, two attacks were held on the Orange Turnpike and on Plank Road. The second day resulted in more inconclusive battles because of the dense woods.
-This battle resulted in the loss of Union generals James S. Wadsworth and Alexander Hays, and Confederate generals John M. Jones, Micah Jenkins, and Leroy A. Stafford.
-This battle was inconclusive, but resulted in the retreat of the Union gnerals except Grant -
Battle of Spotsylvania
-This battle happened because of the Battle of the Wilderness. Even though the other generals retreated or were killed, Ulysses Grant and Robert E. Lee stayed with it.
-The location was in Spotsylvania County, Virginia
-The confederates had less soldiers than the Union, but the battle ended with neither side winning.
-Even thoough no side won, Grant continued the Overland Campaign by going south. http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/civilwarintheeast/p/spotsylvania.htm -
Battle of Cold Harbor
-Ulysses S. Grant's and George G. Meade's Union forces attacked Robert E. Lee's Confederate forces in Hanover County, Virginia.
-The outnumbered Confederates won
-This battle was a part of Grant's Overland Campaign, but because of the loss, he decided to shift his army south of the James River http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/cold-harbor.html -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Union General William T. Sherman's goal was to scare Georgias citizens from supporting the Confederate army. He lead 60,000 soldoers from Atlanta to Savannah. He was successful in destroying the supplies for the South. http://www.history.com/topics/shermans-march -
Appomattox Court House
In Appomattox County, Virginia, a big win for the Union took place. The desperate Lee was fleeing West in hopes of not being yet again cut off. Robert E. Lee's army was trapped near the small village and nearly surrounded.
-Lee was forced to surrender he troops to Grant at hte McLean house. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/appomattox-courthouse.html?tab=home
