Major battles during The Civil War

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/sc001.htm
Fort Sumter was a Union base located on an island in Charleston harbor, off the coast of Confederate South Carolina. The Union commander was Major Robert Anderson and the Confederate commander was Pierre G.T. Beauregard. Beauregard ordered his men to bombard the fort with cannons
and 33 hours later the fort surrendered and the Civil War started
picture found on google images, http://www.civilwarhome.com/ftsumter.htm

Battles

Period: Apr 12, 1861 to Apr 9, 1865

First Battle of Bull Run or First Manassas

Jul 16, 1861

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va005.htm</a>
During the First Battle of Bull Run confederate forces were pushed back but then received reinforcements. The Confederate army was disorganized but Stonewall Jackson held his position. The Confederates won this battle. It proved that the Civil War would be long, not short like many people expected. The Union army was led by General Irvin McDowell, the Confederates were led by General Beauregard
picture found on Google images, http://www.abesw

McClellan's Peninsular Campaign

Feb 5, 1862

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_peninsular1862.html
President Lincoln had ordered Major General George B. McClellan to march toward Richmond. During his campaign McClellan moved slowly and overestimated the Confederate army. He hesitated even though his Union army overpowered the Confederate army.
picture found on Google images, http://americancivilwar.com/campaigns/Peninsula_Campaign.html

Battle of Fort Henry

Feb 6, 1862

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/civilwarinthewest/p/battle-of-fort-henry.htm
The Confederates surrendered Fort Henry which allowed the Tennessee River to be open for Union warships. The Union general was Grant, and the Confederates were led by General Lloyd Tilghman
picture found on Google images, http://civilwardailygazette.com

Battle of Fort Donelson

Feb 11, 1862

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/fort-donelson.html
When asked by the Confederate general what terms he would accept the fort's surrender, Grant said, "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender." He earned the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. The Confederates surrendered and lost precious equipment. Kentucky was now guaranteed to stay in the Union.
picture found on Google images, http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com

Monitor battles the Merrimac

Mar 9, 1862

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/march-9-1862-the-monitor-and-merrimac-face-o
The Union sunk its vessel called the Merrimac to prevent its capture. The South raised the ship, renamed it the Virginia, plated it with iron. and equipped it with guns. The North's first ironclad ship, the Moniter met the Merrimac for battle in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. The Moniter forced the Merrimac back and the Union continues naval block
picture found on Google images, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/shiloh.html
General Grant led his army toward Mississippi after the capture of Fort Donelson. General Albert S. Johnston attacked the Union troops. After two days about 3,500 men were killed and 20,000 had been wounded. Right as the Confederates thought they would have the victory, fresh Union troops came and caused the Confederate army to retreat.
picture found on Google images, http://www.brettschulte.net/CWBlog/

New Orleans falls to Union forces

Apr 28, 1862

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/union-captures-new-orleans
Union warships, led by Commodore David G. Farragut, sailed toward New Orleans after breaking through Confederate defense. The people of New Orleans burned bales of cotton and set ships on fire to prevent being captured. Confederate General Mansfield Lovell didn't resist because he knew it wouldn't do any good. In response to the fall of New Orleans the Confederacy lost control of the Mississippi River.

Seven Day's Battle

Jun 25, 1862

http://www.historycentral.com/CivilWar/Seven.html
When McClellan came within 5 miles of Richmond he hesitated and decided to wait for reinforcements. While he was waiting General Lee received reinforcements who were under Stonewall Jackson and attacked the Union. Lee pushed McClellan back down the peninsula.
picture found on Google images

Second Battle of Bull Run

Aug 28, 1862

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/second-battle-bull-run.htm
This battle took place near Manassas, Virginia. General Lee won with 48,000 men against General John Pope's 75,000. General Pope was forced to fall back toward defenses in Washington.
picture found on Google images, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Second_Battle_of_Bull_Run.jpg

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

http://www.nps.gov/ancm/index.htm
Antietam is known as the "bloodiest day" of the war. The Union General George B. McClellan surprised Lee's forces at Antietam Creek. 18,000 soldiers were wounded after just one day and another 5,000 dead.
picture found on Google images, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam

Battle of Fredericksburg

Dec 11, 1862

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va028.htm
General A. E. Burnside was now Union commander. He attempted to capture Fredericksburg, Virgina. Lee and Jackson defeated the Union. 10,000 men were either killed, wounded, or captured which was twice as many as the South lost
picture found on Google images, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fredericksburg

Battle of Chancellorsville

May 1, 1863

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chancellorsville.html
Union General Joseph Hooker, or "Fighting Joe", was confident he would win this battle. Lee and Jackson split the Confederate army and lured General Hooker into a trap. The Union lost 17,000 men and retreated to Potomac River.

picture found on Google images, http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/may/battle-chancellorsville.htm

Fall of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm114.html
Vicksburg was the South's last open port. Grant was determined to end the war in the West so he led soldiers at night and surrounded the city. His siege lasted until July when the city finally surrendered. The Union now had control over the West.
picture found on Google images, http://drtlibrary.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/texas-newspapers-report-the-battle-of-gettysburg-and-the-fall-of-vicksburgused/

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

http://americancivilwar.com/getty.html
The Battle of Gettysburg lasted 3 days. General George G. Meade met Lee's army and the Confederates pushed the Union to Cemetery Ridge. Lee sent George E. Pickett who had 15,000 men to lead an assault on the ridge. Pickett's Charge left many dead. Only 100 men made it to the top of the ridge where they held their position for a short time.
General Lee was forced to retreat. 7,000 men were killed, 44,000 wounded. http://newspaper.li/gettysburg/

Battle of Chickamauga

Sep 19, 1863

http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-642
Union generals were William Rosecrans and George Thomas
Confederate general was Braxton Bragg
Bragg moved his troops to Chickamauga, Georgia. The Union generals followed him. Confederate forces beat the Union and forced them to retreat to Chattanooga
Goolge images, http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullimage.asp?id=2538

Battle of Chattanooga

Nov 23, 1863

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/tn024.htm
Confederate General Bragg led his army against Grant. Grant had reinforcements with him which helped the Union defeat the Confederate army. This victory opened Georgia for Union troops to invade. Google images, http://www.art.com/products/p14190425-sa-i2951859/battle-of-chattanooga-23rd-november-1863-engraved-by-kurz-and-allison-1888.htm

Petersburg and Richmond

Jun 9, 1864

info and picture found on http://www.civilwaracademy.com/fall-of-richmond.html
Grant and his Union army besieged Petersburg and Richmond. Lee and the Confederates, who were around Petersburg, held their defense. Two weeks later the Union broke through. This victory went to the Union. In April 1865, Jefferson Davis along with his government fled Richmond and the Confederacy dissolved.

Fall of Atlanta

Sep 2, 1864

http://www.knowa.com/article/771/history_of_the_american_civil_war_fall_of_atlanta_september_2_1864/
Sherman marched his Union army into Georgia to attack Johnston and the Confederates. Jefferson Davis replaced Johnston with John Bell Hood. Hood and the Confederates attacked 3 times but were pushed back every time. Eventually they fled from Atlanta which was now in Union hands
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=fall+of+atlanta+civil+war&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&gbv=2&biw=1058&bih=536&tbm=isch&tbnid=BektEv

Sherman's March to the Sea

Nov 15, 1864

http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-641
Sherman's March began in Atlanta and ended in Georgia. He wanted to prove to the Confederates that their government could not prevent invaders. Sherman destroyed cities and burned everything to the ground. His campaign devastated the South.
Google images, http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/view.aspx?id=102800

Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattax Court House

Apr 9, 1865

http://www.nps.gov/apco/index.htm
Robert E. Lee rode through Union lines and surrendered in the village of Appomattax Court House. General Grant was gracious and let the men keep their horses and mules, they also kept their side arms. Grant didn't want to humiliate Lee and let him keep his sword.
Google images, http://piperbayard.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/remembering-a-country-lawyer-and-the-people/

Battle of Palmito

May 12, 1865

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/tx005.htm
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qfp01
Union forces, led by Barrett were involved in many small fights. Barrett retreated to prevent the Confederate flanking movement but was taken by surprise and the Union quickly fell apart. This was the last battle in The Civil War and the Confederates took the victory.
Google images, http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/articles/palmetto/palmetto.htm