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Fort Sumter
A Union fort in Charleston Harbor. When Lincoln announced he would resupply the fort and keep it running, the confederacy had to retaliate. This resulted in the first shots of the Civil War. No one died in the bombardment of the fort. -
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American Civil War
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Bull Run
The first major battle of the civil war. Both sides had inexperienced soldiers, but confederate reinforcements arrived to help the confederate side to victory and it was followed by a disorganized Union retreat. This made the Union realize that it would be a long war. -
The Battle of Hampton Rhodes.
The Battle of Hampton Rhodes, also known as Monitor Vs. Virginia, was one of, if not the, most important civil war navy battles. It was fought just near where the James River enters the Chesapeake Bay. Both sides claimed victory for the battle, but overall the Union ended up with better strategic positioning. -
Shiloh
Confederate troops tried to launch a surprise attack against Grant’s forces, but the confederate commander died, and the replacement decided not to press the attack. This allowed the Union to gain reinforcements and launch a counterattack in the morning which resulted in Union victory and strengthened their control of the Mississippi. -
Seven Days
Lee’s Army was able to repel General George McClellan’s attempt to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. If Richmond fell the war would have been over much sooner, and its defense gave a moral boost to the confederates. -
Antietam
After pursuing Lee’s army, the union forces attacked their defended position. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in american history. It resulted in a pyrrhic victory for the union. -
Fredericksburg
An important victory for the confederacy. The union attacked their entrenched position leading to a result of the union having more than twice the number of confederate casualties. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation really embodied everything the Union was fighting for, and finally made it a reality. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." While having no immediate effect in actually freeing slaves, it did influence international support. Before the proclamation, France and England were talking about supporting the Confederacy, but after it was known they supported slavery, those talks stop. -
Chancellorsville
Robert E Lee used unconventional tactics to force a Northern army outnumbering him 2-1 to retreat. However, the tactics used led to many Southern Casualties from friendly fire and resulted in the death of Stonewall Jackson. -
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Siege of Vicksburg
Vicksburg was the last stronghold of the confederacy on the Mississippi river. Taking control of it would complete one part of the Anaconda plan. They were besieged for 40 days before the confederates surrendered. -
Gettysburg
Gettysburg was battle where the confederates marched in with high spirits, but were defeated. The union was able to maintain its defensive line against the confederate army, which eventually resulted in pickett’s charge. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln noted in the Gettysburg Address that, "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here." He was extrememly mistaken, as the Gettysburg Address is studied and revered as one of the greatest speeches ever given by a president. He gave the Gettysburg Address after the bloodiest battle of the Civil War at Gettysburg. The speech noted the brave sacrifice of the soldiers who had died at Gettysburg, and the continuation of what they died fighting for. -
Chattanooga
General Ulysses S Grant’s troops defeated General Braxton Bragg’s troops, possibly because of the low morale of the Confederate troops. This opened up the South to many more invasions by the North, including Sherman’s March to the Sea. -
Wilderness Campaign
Due to the high number of casualties on both sides and overall inability to achieve any objectives, this battle is considered a draw. However, it demonstrated an important change in Northern strategy because Grant did not retreat when previous generals would have. -
Atlanta
Sherman’s army defeated forces defending Atlanta and burnt almost all buildings in the city, regardless of whether or not they were military. This battle improved Northern morale and helped secure Lincoln’s campaign in the 1864 election. -
Appomattox
After being pursued by Grant’s army which heavily outnumbered them, the Southern army under Lee decided to surrender at Appomattox courthouse.
