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1st and 2nd Battle of Bull Run
The 1st Battle was 25 miles from Washington DC and press and public watched with picnics. Lincoln decided to attack, in the morning Union gained the upper hand, but by the afternoon Confederate reinforcements arrive and forced the Union soldiers to retreat. The 2nd battle George B. McClellan took command and had to have everything perfect before attacking. McClellan failed to seize Richmond because of his OCD, and if he had succeeded the war could have ended mid 1862. -
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Major Battles
Major Battles of the Civil War -
Merrimack vs. Monitor
This was the first battle with ironclad ships and was the beginning of a new era for naval battles. Merrimack was plated with iron railroad rails and destroyed several Union ships off the coast of Virginia. Monitor arrived on the scene the next day and after several close engagements both ships retreat. -
Battle of Antietam
Mcclellan catches up with Lee near Antietam Creek. Right before the battle starts a war soldier delivers Mcclellan 3 cigars wrapped in a paper, which was Lee’s battle plans. Mcclellan decides to trust the battle plans and Lee retreats back to Virginia. This was the bloodiest single day battle of the war, there were 24,000 - 26,000 killed. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle or Gettysburg occurred on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and was the bloodiest and biggest battle of the Civil War. On July 1st, Confederate soldiers searched for supplies and encountered Union calvary on patrol. At the end of the first day 90,000 Union troops had taken field against 75,000 confederates. On July 2nd, Confederate forces drive Union troops from town. On July 3rd, George Picket leads a famous charge and failed. Lee retreated with severe defeat and many casualties on both sides. -
War of Attrition and Appomattox
Unions goal was to wear the Confederacy down, they engaged in many battles in the wilderness and woods. This was called the wilderness campaign and there were many casualties. Richmond then falls on April 3, 1865 because Confederacy couldn’t lead troops to protect the city. This led to the battle of Appomattox. Union corners Lee at Appomattox courthouse and General Lee surrenders, ending the war. General Grant felt sorry for Lee and gave him generous terms.
