Significant Events of the Civil War

Civil War

Period: Apr 12, 1861 to Apr 9, 1865

North and South fought against one another over economic and moral issues.

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

First major land battle in Virginia. Confederate victory. Source:

Battle of Fort Henry

Feb 6, 1862

Fall of Fort Henry, TN. Union victory. Along with capture of Fort Donelson, opened up Columbia and Tennessee Rivers to Union troops, cutting Southern troops off from needed supplies. Source:

Capture of Fort Donelson, TN

Feb 15, 1862

Capture of Fort Donelson. Union victory. Along with the fall of Fort Henry, opened up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers for Union troops to cut off Southern troops from needed supplies. Source:

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

Known as the bloodies battle in American history at the time. Union victory. Source:

Battle of Antietam

Sep 16, 1862

Lasted 2 days and nights. Bloodiest day in American military history to date. Union victory. Led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Source:

Battle of Vicksburg

May 8, 1863

Fighting lasted until July 4. Union victory. Allowed Union troops to take over control of the Mississippi River, giving them more control of the Soutth's supplies. Source:

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

Estimated 51,000 soldiers killed, wounded, captured, or reported missing. Union victory. Let to the Gettysburg Address. Source:

Battle of Chickamauga

Sep 18, 1863

After two days of fighting, Chattanooga remained under the Confederates' control. Confederate victory. Source:

Battle of Franklin

Nov 30, 1864

General Hood tried to protect Nashville. Union victory. Confederates suffered heavy losses. Source:

Battle of Nashville

Dec 15, 1864

Fighting lasted two days. Union victory. Effectively ended the fighting in Tennessee. Source:

Appomattox Court House, VA

Apr 9, 1865

General Robert E. Lee meets with General Ulysses S. Grant to sign a surrender. Union wins the war. Source: