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Battle of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was the site of the beginning of the Civil War. President Lincoln chose to resupply the fort and the South attacked starting the bloodiest war in American history. -
First Battle of Bull Run
This battle proved to the Union that the Confederates were not going to be defeated quickly or easily. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson received his nickname during this battle. The Confederates won a major early victory in the war. -
Battle of the U.S.S. Monitor vs. C.S.S. Virginia
This naval battle marked the end of wooden naval ships as two ironclad ships waged war in the Atlantic. Neither won the battle but it marked a significant moment in naval warfare. -
Battle of Shiloh
This was the bloodiest battle of the war thus far as more than 20,000 soldiers were either killed or wounded in this battle. This battle is significant because it represented the end of the South's control of the Mississippi River Valley -
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Battle of Antietam
With the Confederate army divided and a discovered copy of the South's battle plans, the Union forces had an opportunity to annihilate the opposition. Union General McClellan however did not take advantage of their advantage. The Union won this bloody battle but wasted an opportunity to destroy the Confederate forces once and for all. -
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Siege of Vicksburg
The battle and siege of Vicksburg was an 18 day timespan that included destroying the Confederate troops who guarded the city and then blockading the city where no one was allowed in or out. The people were starving and began dying of sickness and injuries. This gave the Union full access to the important Mississippi River. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
The beginning of the end for the Confederates took place at Gettysburg as the Union forces were victorious in the bloodiest battle in the Civil War. Over 50,000 soldiers died in the three day battle. -
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Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea was a demonstration of total war that was designed to eliminate the Confederate troops will to fight. Union General William T. Sherman set fire to Atlanta, then marched to Savannah and looted the countryside along the way. They conquered Savannah and then traveled up to Columbia, South Carolina where they burnt that city to the ground as well. This broke the will of the Confederate soldier. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
Robert E. Lee met Ulysses S. Grant in a house outside Richmond Virginia where the Confederates agreed to a surrender.
