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Period: to
Civil War
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Fort Sumter
April 12, 1861 to April 14, 1861
President Lincoln sends a ship to resupply the federal fort. Believing the ship had troops and weapons, the Confederacy fired on the fort. Due to the attack on the fort, Lincoln calls up 75,000 troops and some of the border states, such as Virginia, secede. -
Bull Run
July 21, 1861 to July 22 1861
Both sides had an equal number of men on both sides. As McDowell's Federals retreated they ran into Washington civilians. Confederate troops were far too disorganized to take advantage of them retreating -
Hampton Roads
March 8, 1862 to March 9, 1862
This was history's first duel between ironclad warships. The Virginia's success on March 8 not only marked an end for wooden navies but thrilled the South. Folling the Confederate evacuation of Norfolk, the Virginia was destroyed by its crew. -
Shiloh
April 6, 1862 to April 7, 1862
Known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, it was the second great engagement of the Civil War. Confederate's launch a suprise attack on Grant. Both sides were immobilized for the next couple weeks. -
Antietam
September 17, 1862 to September 18, 1862
It was the bloodiest days in American history, with 22,000 casualties. Lee withdrew across the river. This provided the Lincoln administration able to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. -
Fredericksburg
December 11, 1862 to December 13, 1862
Burnside crossed with more than 120,000 Union troops. They ended up with 13,000 causalties oppose the 5,000 of the Confederates. It was acrushing defeat for the Union. Joseph Hooker was to replace Burnside as commander. -
Chancellorsville
April 30, 1863 to May 6, 1863
This was Lee's greatest victory during the Civil War. Jackson and 30,000 men followed a circuitous route that brought them to the right weak flank. The irreplaceable Jackson was also lost in this battle. -
Gettysburg
July 1, 1863 to July 3, 1863
Major General George Gordon Meade was to seccede hooker. And immediately ordered the pursuit of Lee's army of 75,000.
Confederate general withrew his army toward Virginia. Union casualties in the battle numbered 23,000. -
Vicksburg
May 18, 1863- July 4, 1863
After several failed attempts to take Vicksburg by direct assult General Grant decided to employ siege tactics and wait out the city's defenders. The Confederates, who were low on ammo and starving finally had to surrender. The victory at Vicksburg and the victory at Gettysburg, together bolstered Union morale and improved the public opinoin of the war in the North. -
Chickamauga
September 19, 1863 - September 20, 1863
The Union and Confederate armys struggled over control of railroads in Chattanooga. When the two armies clashed George Thomas held his position and was nicknamed "The Rock of Chickamauga". In the end the Union was forced to retreat. The Confederacy was defeated stratigecly though. The Union still managed to get to and capture Chattanooga. -
Battle of the Wilderness
May 4, 1864 - May 22, 1864
The Battle of the Wilderness was part of a two pronged assault on Georgia and Richmond. The fighting was difficult and chaotic due to the heavily forested terrain and inability to use artillery or calvary. On May 7 the Union began to march out of the Wilderness toward Spotsylvania Courthouse. During the march the Confederates repeatedly attacked the Union column trying to slow the advance. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse
May 8, 1864 - May 21, 1864
After the Battle of the Wilderness the Union advanced toward the Spotsylvania Courthouse. However the Confederates beat them too the Courthouse and built defenses to halt the Union advance. The Confederates held Spotsylvania despite enourmous casualties. Grant began a flanking march toward the southeast, once again forcing Lee to move in to a position to defend Richmond. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
September 2, 1864 - December 21, 1864
After General Sherman captured Atllanta he started on his March to the Sea. He set off toward Savannah with the intent to destroy everything in his path and crush Southern morale. Shermans troops raided and destroyed supplies and resources, taking what the could and destroying the rest. Shermans campaign served to demoralize the South and make them question their chances to win the war. -
Petersburg Campaign
June 9, 1864 - April 9, 1865
In June of 1864 the Union laid seige to Petersburg and Richmond. The armies went back and forth on control of the railroads but eventually Lee was forced to withdraw from the cities. Lee eventually surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. -
Assassination of President Lincoln
April 14, 1865
After Lee's surrender Lincoln was watching a play when John Wilkes Booth slipped into his box and shot him in the head. Booth then leapt to the stage and fled the city. Lincoln was taken across the street to a house where he died in the night. Since Lincoln was the first US President to be assassinated the country mourned greatly for his death. Lincoln is now respected as one off the greatest Presidents of all time.
