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Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter began on April 12, 1861. Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter, evacuating on the following day. There were no causalities but one Union artillerist was killed and three wounded. They evacuated on April 14th. The confederates one the war as a result to Anderson surrendering. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Began on July 21, 1861. It took place in Virginia, just miles from Washington DC. The commander of the Northern Virginia Union army, to attack the Confederate forces. Their goal was to make quick work of the bulk of the Confederate army, open the way to Richmond, the Confederate capital, and end the war. Estimated Casualties for the war were 2,950 for the Union and 1,750 for the Confederates
The Confederates won the war, and it ended on July 22. -
Hampton Roads
Battle of Hampton Roads began on March 8, 1862. This battle was the most noted and arguably most important naval battle of the American Civil War from the standpoint of the development of navies. It was fought over two days, in Hampton Roads, a roadstead in Virginia. The results are inconclusive. The battle ended on March 9, 1862. -
Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh began on April 6, 1862 in south western Tennessee. The Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved up the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and was encamped principally at Pittsburg Landing. The Confederate forces under Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard launched a surprise attack on Grant. The Confederates achieved considerable success on the first day, but were ultimately defeated on the second day. The battle ended on April 7, 1862. -
Antietam
The battle of Antietam began on September 17, 1862
near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000 casualties. The results are conclusive. -
Fredericksburg
The battle of Fredericksburg began on December 11, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia. Confederate defenders on the heights behind the city is remembered as one of the most one-sided battles of the American Civil War, with Union casualties more than twice as heavy as those suffered by the Confederates. The confederates leave with a victory. The battle ended on December 15, 1862. -
Chancellorsville
On May first, General Lee faced one of his hardest battles. He and his group of 60,000 men fought against 80,000 Union troops and won. General Lee had split his men in half and sent one group around to attack the weak right side. Union forces were preoccupied by the 30,000 men attacking them and then were hit by a surprise attack by the other half of the men. This was General Lee’s greatest victory. The battle ended on May sixth. 12,826 men were lost on the Confederate side. -
Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was a terrible fight. Lasting only three days (July 1-3, 1863) it had the highest death toll. 23,000 Union soldiers and 28,000 Confederates died. Because of Meade’s defeat of the Confederates, Lee actually gave a letter of his resignation to the president but was refused. While the Confederates did win many battles, the battle of Gettysburg was what won the war for the Union. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Vicksburg was a very important base for the Confederates because it was on the Mississippi River. General Sherman and Grant both worked hard to take the base from the Confederates (May 18-July 4, 1863) and finally succeeded. Confederate general Pemberton tried hard to keep the base but on July 4, was forced to surrender. Between this victory and the victory at Gettysburg, this was the turning point of the war. -
Chickamauga
The two armies met at the Chickamauga Creek on September 19 and on September 20 the Confederates win the battle. Union General Rosecrans was overcome by both Bragg and Longstreet. The Confederates had the numerical advantage and with the win, they seized the whole town. In total for this battle, 36,000 men died. -
Siege of Petersburg
Lee’s troops were greatly outnumbered (50,000 Confederates to 120,000 Union soldiers) and because of this, Lee didn’t really have much of a chance. Grant’s forces were too strong and Lee and his troops where forced to surrender on April 9, 1864. -
Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness was a three day fight (May 5-7) and took place close to the Rapidan River in northern Virginia. Generals Lee and Grant led their troops very well but in the end the Confederates won this battle. This made the Confederates hopeful they would win the war. -
Spotsylvania
This battle started on May 8th and continued until May 21st. Lee and Grant’s troops met at Spotsylvania and the Confederates won this battle. This battle was one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. Confederate forces lost 11,000 and Union forces lost 18,000 men. The Confederates said they would not give up until they won. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman’s March to the Sea began on November 12, 1864. Major General William Sherman left Atlanta to head towards the Atlantic Ocean. He moved through Macon and Augusta and ended up in Savannah. There were few troops to stop him and his forces on the way and they left destruction in their wake. The Union had a victory. There were approx. 3100 casualties of which 2,100 were Union soldiers. The march ended on December 22, 1864. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was shot by Booth and then was pronounced dead the following day. This sent out whole nation in happy frenzies. While jumping from the balcony, Booth breaks his leg, but is still able to come so quickly as to escape from his pursuers.
