Civil War Battle Timeline

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

It was the bombardment of Fort Sumter near Charleston in South Carolina and the gunfire and surrender of the United States, which started the American Civil War. The leader of Fort Sumter was Robert Anderson and he was in charge of the Confederates, through him the Confederates won the battle.

1st Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The first bull run also known as the Manassas was the first major battle of the American Civil War and was won by the Confederates. Some of the leaders were Irvin McDowell and he was for the Union and then Joseph E. Johnston and P.G.T Beauregard were for the Confederates. The Confederates won this battle.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

The Battle of Shiloh was fought in Southwestern Tennessee and it was a battle in the Western Theater. Ulysses S Grant was the Union leader during the battle and the Confederate army was lead by Albert Sidney Johnston an P.G.T. The Union won this battle.

2nd Bull Run

Aug 28, 1862

The 2nd Bull Run was in Prince William County and was a part of the Civil War. Robert E. Lee was one of the leaders for the Confederates and Henry Halleck was the commander of the Union. The Confederates had another victory during the 2nd Bull Run.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

It was also known as the battle of Sharpsburg in the Southern Unites States. The Union won this battle with General George B McClellan. The Confederates leader was Robert E Lee.

Battle of Fredericksburg

Dec 11, 1862

This battle was fought in Fredericksburg Virginia, in the Eastern Theater. The Confederate army won this battle. The leader for the Confederates was Robert E Lee and the Union leader was Ambrose Burnside.

Battle of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

This battle was one of the final military actions in the Vicksburg Campaign. The Union won the battle by using the anaconda strategy and capturing the Confederates ships on the Mississippi. The leader of the Union was Ulysses S Grant and the Confederates leader was John C Pemberton.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

This battle was fought in Gettysburg Pennsylvania and had the largest amount of casualties and is usually described as the war's turning point. It was won by the Union with Meade and the Confederates leader was Robert E Lee.

Battle of Cold Harbor

May 31, 1864

The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought around Mechanicsville Virginia. It was won by the Confederates and it was the last major battle of the Ulysses S Grant campaign. The Confederate leader was Robert E Lee and the Union leader was Ulysses S Grant.

Battle of Atlanta

Jul 22, 1864

The Battle of Atlanta was fought just southeast of Virginia and a former Union leader George B McClellan ran against Lincoln calling for a truce with the Confederacy, but the battle ended with a Union Victory. The leader of the Union at the time was James B McPherson and the Confederate leader was John Bell Hood.

Sherman's March to the Sea

Nov 15, 1864

Sherman's March to the Sea was a military campaign conducted by the Union Army. It resulted in a Union victory and the leader was Ulysses S Grant, he believed that the war would come to an end if the Confederacies strategies were broken.

Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 9, 1865

The Appomattox Courthouse is located in Virginia and the general of the Union was Ulysses S Grant and the general of the Confederates was Robert E Lee. This battle resulted in a Union victory and it ended once Lee wrote a reply to Grant saying that he was ready to surrender and that is when the Civil War ended.