Civil War Battles

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The engagement began when about 35,000 Union troops marched from the federal capital in Washington, D.C. to strike a Confederate force of 20,000 along Bull Run river. After fighting for most of the day, the rebels rallied and were able to break the Union right flank, sending the Federals into a retreat back towards Washington. The Confederate victory gave the South a surge of confidence and shocked many in the North, who realized the war would not be won as easily as they had thought.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

This battle was a crucial success for the Union army. It allowed Grant to begin a massive operation in the Mississippi valley later that year. Lots of intense fighting centers near Shiloh church.

Second Battle of Bull Run

Aug 29, 1862

This battle was won by the Confederate army. It ended up driving the Union away from Virginia.

Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

As one of the deadliest one-day battles in all of American military history, it was vital for shaping America's future.

Battle of Fredericksburg

Dec 11, 1862

This battle had the most combats throughout the whole Civil War with about 200,000. The Union had a tough defeat after the Confederate army performed a series of attacks on them.

Battle of Stones River

Dec 31, 1862

This battle was fought in the middle of Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River. Of the major battles of the war, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties from both sides.

Battle of Chancerllorsville

Apr 30, 1863

The South won this battle because of the efforts made by Robert E. Lee. This battle was known to be Lee's "perfect battle".

Vicksburg

May 15, 1863

Union troops attempt to cross the Mississippi. The Union fleet bombards Confederate defenses for five hours, but Grant’s troops are repulsed. 110,000 troops are engaged, more Union than Confederate. Union artillery opens fire and for four hours bombards the city's defenses. Grant’s unsuccessful attacks give him no choice but to invest Vicksburg in a siege. Weeks go by and Pemberton’s defenders suffer from shortened rations, exposure to the elements, and constant fear.

Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

During an unplanned engagement with the Confederates, they confront the Union cavalry. General John Reynolds arrives and is killed in action. Soon, Confederate reinforcements arrive at the scene. Later that day, the troops from both sides are battling ferociously in the heat. Heavy fighting resumes on Culp's Hill as Union troops attempt to recapture ground lost the previous day. At last, the Union claims victory.

Battle of Chickamauga

Sep 18, 1863

This battle didn't have much of a victory on either side. The Confederate army "won" the battle, but they lost 20% of their force. After 2 days of fighting, the Confederates forced the Union into a siege.

Battle of Chattanooga

Nov 25, 1863

The battle of Chattanooga created one of the most dramatic turnabouts in American military history. Near the end of the war, the Union had driven out the Confederate forces into Georgia.

Battle of the Wilderness

May 5, 1864

Both armies suffered heavy casualties, about 5,000 men killed in total. President Lincoln and others devised a coordinated plan to strike at the heart of the Confederacy from multiple directions. This would include attack against Lee in Virginia.

Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse

May 9, 1864

The battle started because the main goal was not to capture a city, but to destroy the Confederate Army of Robert Lee. General Grant began the campaign in early May, marching his army into Virginia. There he met General Lee's army and fought the Battle of the Wilderness. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. The inconclusive Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was the second major engagement in Gen. Grant's Overland Campaign, a major Union offensive to chase down Lee, and claim victory.

Battle of Cold Harbor

May 31, 1864

This was one of the final battles of General Ulysses S. Grant. During the two weeks fighting, more than 18,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. The Union was fighting its way South. Confederates take home the victory.

Battle of Atlanta

Jul 22, 1864

The Battle of Atlanta was fought on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman, wanting to neutralize the important rail and supply hub, defeated Confederate forces defending the city under John Hood. The Sherman led some 60,000 soldiers on a 285-mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia.The purpose of Sherman's March to the Sea was to frighten Georgia's civilian population into abandoning the Confederate cause.