Civil War Timeline

By LaurelK
  • 1st Manassas

    This battle proved to both sides that this was going to be a drawn out war that would not be won quickly. This battle also proved to the military leaders that they needed to train more in order to be more prepared for what they would face. The training would not be the only important factor but also having experienced solidiers.
  • 1st Manassas

    1st Manassas

    Leaders:
    Union: Winfield Scott
    Confederate: P.G.T Beauregard
    Casualties:
    United States: 2,708
    Confederates: 1,982
    Victor: Confederates
    Outcome:
    The United States were shocked at the loss to a power they thought they would beat and in turn they began to fear that this war would be longer than anticipated.
    The Confederates had a small celebration for their victory and continued on. However, there were long term psychological consequences that led to overconfidence.
  • Shiloh - April 6-7, 1862

    This battle was significant because it reminded the generals and others that this war was going to be long and costly. This was a major blow for both sides as there were a lot of casualties. This also allowed Grant to gain a valuable piece of land in the Mississippi River.
  • Shiloh - April 6-7, 1862

    Shiloh - April 6-7, 1862

    Leaders:
    Union: Ulysses S. Grant
    Confederate: Albert Johnston
    Casualties:
    Union: 13,047
    Confederate: 10,669
    Victor: Union
    Outcome:
    Union: This allowed the Union troops to push back Confederates both literally and emotionally. The Union also gained valuable territory.
    Confederate: This battle ended the hopes to block to Union from advancing and it didn't help their side in the West. They lost a leader and moral plummeted.
  • Seven Days - June 25 - July 1, 1862

    Seven Days - June 25 - July 1, 1862

    Leaders:
    Union: George McClellan
    Confederate: Robert Lee
    Casualties:
    Union: 15,849
    Confederate: 20,204
    Victor: Inconclusive but some say a Confederate Victory
    Outcome:
    Union: This made it seem like the Union had control of everything but after the battles were over it seemed like the war could change at any given point.
    Confederate: This proved that the Confederates needed a strong leader and having Lee gave them an advantage. This allowed Lee to reverse the expectations of the war.
  • Seven Days - June 25 - July 1, 1862

    The significance of this long battle was that it proved that this war was going to be unpredictable. It can seem that one side is in control and then a leader can change the direction of everything. Additionally, the Union forces were pushed back and Lee proved himself as a capable leader.
  • 2nd Manassas

    This battle was significant because it developed Lees reputation as a tactical leader. It helped to persuade the Union leaders that were in DC to emancipate the slaves in order to keep order in the military. This was significant as well because it was a deciding battle in the Civil War that allowed both sides to campaign.
  • 2nd Manassas

    2nd Manassas

    Leaders
    Union: John Pope
    Confederate: Robert Lee
    Casualties
    Union: 13,824
    Confederate: 8,353
    Victor: Confederate
    Outcome:
    Union: Short Term - This crushed the Union and it delivered a large blow to their moral. Long Term - It allowed McClellan to unite his army against beating the Confederates.
    Confederate: Short Term - This gave confidence and turned the war to their side. Long Term - It gave Lee insight into the Union and allowed him to develop a strategic approach that worked best.
  • Antietam

    This battle was significant because it showed the Union that they would be able to free all of the slaves if they stayed on the same track. The Union needed this victory because of their previous losses and showed that they could hold their own against the Confederates.
  • Antietam

    Antietam

    Leaders
    Union: George McClellan
    Confederate: Robert Lee
    Casualties
    Union: 12,401
    Confederate: 10,316
    Victor: Union
    Outcome
    Union: Short - It showed the Union that they could stand up to the Confederates in the East. Long - It allowed Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation which had long term impacts.
    Confederate: Short - Lee proves that he can continue to stand his ground. Long - Lee is able to avoid injury and withdraw for later battles that are more significant.
  • Vicksburg - May 18 - July 4, 1863

    Vicksburg - May 18 - July 4, 1863

    Leaders
    Union: Ulysses Grant
    Confederate: John Pemberton
    Casualties
    Union: 4,910
    Confederate: 32,363
    Victor: Union
    Outcome
    Union: Short - There is a moral raise and a turning point in the fortunes of the Union. Long - The Union gained control of the Mississippi River which turned the war on its head.
    Confederate: Short - Lee is taken out of the war and is finally out of the picture for a little while. Long - The Confederate troops surrender to the Union and prove they are inferior.
  • Vicksburg - May 18 - July 4, 1863

    This battle is significant because it allowed the Union to have control of the Mississippi River and the army of the Union was able to move further South. It also allowed both sides to determine a strategic location to fight and move towards for future battles to come.
  • Gettysburg

    This battle is significant because it involved one of the largest amount of casualties in comparison to any other battle in history. It also was described as the turning point of the war. This was also determined as the place where the Union soldiers were going to be buried.
  • Gettysburg - July 1-3, 1863

    Gettysburg - July 1-3, 1863

    Leaders
    Union: George Meade
    Confederate: Robert Lee
    Casualties
    Union: 23,049
    Confederate: 28,063
    Victor: Union
    Outcome
    Union: Short - It gives the Union a rally of victories. This being multiple in a row. Long - It gives Lincoln more hope in being able to end the war and boosts the political appearance.
    Confederate: Short - Lee is able to escape and hold out longer in the battle. Long - It ended the hopes of them being able to become independent states and Lee couldn't end the war.
  • Petersburg - June 15-18, 1864

    Petersburg - June 15-18, 1864

    Leaders
    Union: Ulysses Grant
    Confederate: Robert Lee
    Casualties
    Union: 8,150
    Confederate: 3,236
    Victor: Confederate
    Outcome
    Union: Short-Grant was able to prove that he could stand up to Lee even in the losses. Long - The Union was given a larger motivation to get the Confederates back after this loss.
    Confederate: Short - It showed the Confederates that they were able to hold off their territory even when beaten down. Long - They were broken down and lost soldiers that they needed.
  • Petersburg - June 15-18, 1864

    This battle is significant because it was able to present a hint that trench warfare would later be important in other wars. They were also able to bring needed supplies to Richmond so that they can be better accessed.
  • Sherman's March South

    Sherman's March South

    Leaders:
    Union: William Sherman
    Confederate: William Hardee
    Casualties:
    Union: 1,300
    Confederate: 2,300
    Victor: Union
    Outcome
    Union: Short - The Union learned that they could go deeper into enemy territory and be successful. Long - They got enough strength to win the war overall.
    Confederate: Short - They realized that the government couldn't protect them. Long - This was the last part of the war when the backs of the Confederates were finally broken leading to a surrender.
  • Sherman's March South

    The significance of this event was that it showed the Confederates that their government couldn't protect them from what the Union was bringing. This was also a push for Savannah since this was such a valuable place to have.
  • Appomattox Court House

    This meeting was significant because it marked the end to the Civil War. This was when the Confederates finally surrendered and it was determined that the Union was the winner of the Civil War in history.
  • Appomattox Court House

    Appomattox Court House

    Leaders
    Union: Ulysses Grant
    Confederate: Robert Lee
    Casualties
    Union: 152
    Confederate: 500
    Victor: Union
    Outcome
    Union: Short & Long - This was when the Union was able to finally win the war and it was the most significant surrender of the entire Civil War.
    Confederate: Short - They tried to negotiate before the Civil War could come to an end. Long - They finally gave up their position in the war and it ended.