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South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina already being known for threats of secession threatened that if a republican was elected president they would secede. In November 1860 exactly that happened as Republican Abraham Lincoln was elected. On December 20th, 1860, South Carolina receded from the Union as they feared Lincoln would abolish slavery. Within a couple months many deep south states followed. -
Battle of Bull Run
Lincoln wanted to end the war quick and to take Richmond to stop the rebellion before it could fully advance. In July 1861 Lincoln sent General Irvin McDowell and 30,000 men to attack confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard’s army of 20,000 near Bull Run. The confederates counterattacked and used the “rebel yell” to onset panic to the Union. The counterattack and new technique lead to a confederate victory. -
Peninsular Campaign
After Bull Run McDowell was replaced by George McClellan. In March 1862 McClellan and 100,000 troops made their advance towards Richmond, Landing on the peninsula between the James and York Rivers. As the union slowly advanced to Richmond “Stonewall” Jackson forced 30,000 union troops to return and protect the capital. He then returned to help Richmond. Lee launched and attack. After 6 days the Confederate casualties double the Unions but McClellan wasted his advantage and was forced to withdraw -
Battle of Shiloh
On April 6th 1862 General Ulysses S. Grant was moving his troops south to Mississippi in hopes to control the railroad lines. Grant and his army of 42,000 were met by General Buell and his army of 20,000 who faced Albert Sidney Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard and 45,000 confederates near Shiloh Tennessee. Grant continued to push through and fight the Confederates like Lincoln had wanted and they were able to force a Confederate retreat. In the end there was roughly 23,000 combined casualties. -
Battle of New Orleans
The battle of New Orleans was fought from April 24- 25 1862. Union naval forces lead by David G. Farragut started their fight through the Gulf of Mexico. This was the second battle of the Unions attempt to isolate the western Confederate states. After firing on the city for two days the Union forced Confederate General Mansfield Novell to withdraw. The Union was now able to limit river transportation of troops and soldiers from the Gulf. The Union held New Orleans for the rest of the war. -
Capture of Baton Rouge
On May 7th 1862 the Union’s goal of controlling the Mississippi continued. Union Admiral David G. Farragut and a fleet demanded that the city surrender to the Union. The Mayor B.F. Bryan said they would not surrender so on May 12th, the Union fleet returned. Using Naval and ground forces the Union took the barracks, arsena, and many other important buildings in Baton Rouge with no resistance. Again gaining more control of the Mississippi and restricting the Confederates. -
Battle of Baton Rouge
After Baton Rouge was controlled by the Union for 3 months Confederate General John C. Breckinridge attempted to take control of the city again on August 5th 1862. The Confederates brought an army of 3,000 troops on land and the CSS Arkansas to take the city. But the CSS Arkansas broke down before reaching the city leaving only the ground troops. The battle ended with the Union successfully defending but in the battle General Thomas Williams was killed. Around a third of the city was destroyed. -
Battle of Antietam
In August General Lee decided take the fight to the Union. McClellan got a hold of Lee’s plans and after delaying an attack the armies met near Sharpsburg Maryland near the Antietam Creek. The battle was between 87,000 Union and 50,000 Confederates. It was the single bloodiest day in U.S. Military history with 4,800 dead, 18,500 injured and soon after 3,000 died to injuries. McCellan let Lee retreat rather than keeping pressure. Lincoln was furious with McClellan but counted the battle as a win. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought from December 11-15 1862. The Union was now lead by General Ambrose E. Burnside and were fighting against General Lee. General Burnside plans to take control of Fredericksburg and use his Major General Meade’s troops to ensure a victory. He sends Meade’s troops to flank the Confederates but “Stonewall” Jackson counterattacks the unsure and divided Union forces leading to Confederate overpowerment. In the end the Confederates won and held kept city control. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought from April 30 - May 6 1863. The Union now lead by General Joseph Hooker who believed he had the “perfect” plan to take out General Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson’s armies. There was nearly double the amount of Union men and Hooker planned to trap the Confederates in Fredricksburg to easily defeat them. In the end the Confederates won by attack head on as well and flanking the Union forces. Jackson was killed by friendly fire in the midst of this battle. -
Battles of Vicksburg
The Union first attacked VIcksburg Mississippi on June 26-28 1862 this was the Unions first attempt on the city. The next large attempts are also lead by General Grant. Starting on May 18, 1863 Grant began launching attacks to seize the city. The Confederate troops would fight to hold back the Union for six weeks. Finally on July 4, 1863 after holding back the Union as long as possible the Confederates surrendered the city to Grant. This opened the door for the Union to control the west. -
Battle of Gettysburg
After several victories in the south General Lee decided it was time to march north and take the fight to the Union again. He moved his army north into Pennsylvania where he accidentally met General Meade and the Union on July 1. July 1 Lee pushed the Union south of town. July 2 the Union had set up defenses on the southern hill. Lee tried attacking the flanks but failed. July 3 Lee launched a full assault on the Union’s center line but due to artillery and fire it failed and the Union had won. -
Battle of the Wilderness
The battle of the Wilderness happened from May 5-7 1864. With Ulysses S. Grant now being the general of the Union wanted to take control of Richmond quickly. Grant send Meade and Warren south where they were met by General Ewell in Saunders Field VA. Grant also sent General Hancock to move south nearby. Hancock is met by General A.P. Hill, both sides fight for the 2 days until on May 7th Grant calls for Meade and the others to retreat. Although the Union retreated neither side claimed as a win. -
Capture of Atlanta
As General William T. Sherman fought his “March to the sea” he lead the Union to a victory over Atlanta. On July 20 and 22 Confederate General John B. Hood had attempted to fight off Sherman and make him fear away from Atlanta but both attacks were losses. On September 2 1864 Sherman moved his troops from the trenches and swept them around the city. He destroyed all of the city’s rail links. General Hood was worried Sherman would surround the city and leave them no chance, so Hood surrendered. -
Battle of Bentonville
Sherman’s ninth major battle on his march was the battle of Bentonvill which was fought March 19-21 1865. Sherman fought Confederate General Johnston, Johnston was order by President Davis to do whatever he could to slow Sherman. Johnston gather all the troops he could and waited for him in Bentonville. Fighting to a standstill on the 19 and 20 Sherman sent General Mower to the Confederate’s flank on the 21. This flank exposed their weaknesses leading to a Union victory as Johnston retreated.