Civil War Events

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

PictureConfederates attacked a Union Fort stationed in South Carolina. They seized the fort for a matter of days then attacked the fort, nobody was killed but this where the first shots of the battle were shot.

Timeline

Period: Apr 12, 1861 to Apr 9, 1865

Manassas, First

Jul 21, 1861

PictureUnion marched to Centreville and attacked the left flank of the South. The South then recieved back-up and pushed the Union back, making the Confederates the victors.

Ball's Bluff

Oct 21, 1861

PictureConfederate General Nathan "Shanks" stopped a Union proceeding of them crossing the Potomac River and capturing Leesburg. Over 700 Union soliders were captured at this battle and Senator Baker was killed during this battle; the Confederates also achieved success at this battle.

Fort Henry

Feb 4, 1862

PictureGrant sent two divisions to block off the Confederates on the east bank of the Tennessee River and the Kentucky side to make sure the fort would fall. General Tilghman moved his troops over to Fort Donelson. The general then returned and surrendered to the Union, leaving the Tennessee River open up to the Union for transportation and shipping.

Fort Donelson

Feb 16, 1862

PictureOn this day the 12,000 guarded men at Fort Donelson surrendered, and this was a huge win for Grant. This ensured Kentucky was in the Union. Grant then received a promotion to General leading him to the stature in the Western Theater.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

PictureConfederates attacked in the morning, Some Federals stated a sunken rode as the famous "Hornets Nest". Artillery weakened the Union and the Confederates killed most of them then from the confusion of artillery. Back-up for both sides arrived but the Union standed firm and wouldn't let them pass. The Confederate general then retreated knowing he wouldn't win, making a Union victory.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

PictureMcClellan came face to face with Lee's Army. On this day Hooker's Corps hit the left flank of Lee's Army. This was the bloodiest day of the Civil War. After a day of counterattacks and attacks Lee ordered his army to retreat, giving the victory to the Union.

Fredericksburg

Dec 13, 1862

PictureGeneral Burnside sent troops to occupy Falmouth and soon later the whole army followed. Lee sent his men to the heights behind the won. Then on the 11th the Union lcrossed the Rappahannock and soon the next day crossed the river; the day after was futile with Burnside sending his troops into a death assault. On the 15th then Burnside recrossed the river and was replaced with General Hooker.

Chancellorsville

Apr 30, 1863

PictureOn April 30 through May 6 the battle of Chancellorsville occured; Hooker's army concentrated on the town other than Fredericksburg. Hooker got to close to Lee's push so he was at a disadvantage. Also occuring on this day Southerns attacked the left flank and the Federals resisted and counterattacked; Jackson was aslo injured from his men. The Confederates then attacked pushing them back closing the win for the South.

Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

PictureRobert E. Lee's army went full force against General Meade's Union army and clashed at Gettysburg between July 1-3. This was the bloodiest battle in the whole Civil War; on July 1 Confederates pushed the Union all the to Cemetery Hill then reinforcements came for both of sides for teh July 2 battle. Lee tried attacking Little Round top then and flanking the Union army but this wasn't a major success. On the third day Lee attacked straight up the middle but wasn't succesful and Lee withdrew.

Vicksburg

Jul 4, 1863

PictureAfter long siege of the town they surrendered to the Union; this was very important because with Pemberton's army gone the Confederate army was spilt in half giving the Union the upper half on the war. The Union commander that operated this crafted campaign was Ulysses S. Grant, and after this surrender, Grant was appointed to General-In-Cheif of the Union army.

The Wilderness

May 5, 1864

PictureUnion troops attacked the Confederates and the fighting was a intense one. Both sides tried to be hidden in the woods which were very thick and dense. As the attacking went on to the next day Longstreet showed up saving the Confederates but soon after Longstreet was injured by his own men. After the battle it was a tactical draw but Grant did not retreat but pushed onto Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Cold Harbor

May 31, 1864

PictureOn May 31 the Union took the Old Cold Harbor and on the next day Confederates attacked and Sheridan defended against the attack. Reinforcements came for the Union and attacked the Confederates pretty well. Grant then ordered the troops to attack Bethesda Church, this was a total massacer and Grant wished he never ordered that attack. The battle did not end till the 12th where Grant advanced the left flank winning the battle

Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 9, 1865

PictureGeneral Lee was pursueing to advance to Lyncburg to achieve supplies. Then Union reinforcements arrived surrounding the Confederates on three sides. Robert E. Lee then surrounded to Grant then on this day; this was also the last battle in Virginia for the Civil War.