Civil War Timelines

1st Manassas

Jul 21, 1861

The leader for the Confederate army was P. G. T. Beauregard and for the Union it was McDowell. The Confederate had 1,982 casualties and the Union had 2,708. This was the first major land battle of the Civil War. It was a Confederate victory. After the loss, McDowell lost his position. This was good for the Confederates because it kept their soldiers in the war and wanting to fight.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 7, 1862

General Grant was the leader for the Union and General Johnston was the leader for the Confederacy. The Union had 13,047 casualties and the confederacy had 10,699. This was a major win for the Union because it allowed Grant to begin a massive operation in the Mississippi Valley. This battle was also significant because of the amount of casualties on both sides. This greatly affected and hurt the Union and the Confederacy.

Seven Days Battle

Jun 25, 1862

General McClellan was the leader for the Union and General Lee was the leader for the Confederacy. The Union had 15,849 casualties and the Confederacy had 20,050. The Confederates won this seven day battle and kept control of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. This was a hard but necessary victory for the Confederates to hold the capital. This battle also ended the Union Peninsula Campaign.

2nd Manassas

Aug 29, 1862

General Pope was the leader for the Union and General Lee was the leader for the Confederacy. The Union had 14,462 casualties and the Confederacy had 7,298 casualties. This was a Confederate victory by far. According to Battlefields, “the Lincoln administration gave Pope the dual task of shielding Washington and operating northwest of Richmond to take pressure off McClellan’s army. But Pope's defeat at Second Manassas was a setback."

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

General McClellan was the Union leader and General Lee was the leader for the Confederacy. The Union had 12,410 casualties and the Confederacy had 12,051. There was not a clear winner of this battle. This battle was significant as it was the first field-army level engagement to take place on Union soil. This was the highest casualty resulting battle with a combined total of 22,717 dead. This battle however was enough for Lincoln to declare the Emancipation Proclamation.

Siege of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

General Grant was the leader for the Union and General Pemberton was the leader for the Confederacy. The Union had 4,835 casualties and the Confederacy had 32,697. The Union drove the Confederates into a defensive position around Vicksburg, Mississippi and this battle would be the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. This was a decisive Union victory and it divided the Confederacy. It also helped build the reputation of General Grant.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

General Meade was the leader for the Union and General Lee was the leader for the Confederacy. The Union had 23,049 casualties and the Confederacy had 23,000-28,000. This battle is considered one of the most important battles of the Civil War. By the Union winning this war they were able to stop Lee’s invasion of the North and this battle also inspired Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.”

Siege of Petersburg

Jul 15, 1864

General Grant was the leader for the Union and General Lee was the leader for the Confederacy. The Union had 42,000 casualties and the Confederacy had 28,000. This battle was a Union victory and was significant because it blocked off important railroads that were providing resources the the Confederate army at Richmond. By winning Petersburg, Lee was trapped and either had to give up Richmond or fight the superior greater Union army.

Sherman's March South

Nov 15, 1864

General Sherman was the Union leader and General Hardee was the Confederate leader. There were no casualties. This was very significant however because it changed the mentality and the support for soldiers throughout the South greatly. Many factories, farms, and railroads provided the confederacy with resources but Sherman was changing that mentality and hoping to decrease the support from Georgia. This was part of the Anaconda plan as it slowly cut off the life of the Confederacy.

Battle of Appomattox Court House

Apr 9, 1865

General Grant was the Union leader and General Lee was the Confederate leader. The Union had 164 casualties and the Confederate had 195 killed, 305 wounded, and 28,000 surrendered. This was one of the last battles of the Civil War and it was a Union victory. General Lee surrendered after being surrounded by Union soldiers.