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Battle of Fort Sumter
Confederate Charleston fires on Union Fort Sumter, located in Charleston harbor, starting the first military action of the war. The fort eventually surrenders, and the battle ends with the Confederacy gaining a port outside of the Union blockade. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Union attacks the Confeterate capitol of Richmond, Virgina with a much larger but poorly trained army.. This battle becomes the longest and blodiest up until that point, and the Union realizes the war would be more difficult than previously anticipated. -
Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack
Naval battle Hampton Roads, a harbor in Virginia. It was the first battle between ironclad warships in history. The Merrimack, a northern built ship, had beeen taken by the south and changed into the Virginia and faced off against the Monitor. Neither side had a decisive vicotry. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate assault in Tennessee against Grant. Lead by General Johnston, who died in battle. The bloodiest battle in the war up until that point. This battle also cleared the west to the Union. -
Battle of Seven Days
Union attack near Richmond, where the North escapes due to miscomunications from General Lee. Though the Confederacy wins, both sides take heavy casualties. This battle lowers morale overall for the Union and raises it for the Confederacy. -
Battle of Antietim
Battle in Maryland lead by Union McClellan against General Lee. The bloodiest single day battle in US history, and a technical win for the Union because the Confederacy withdrew first. This battle cause Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Issued on September 22, 1862 by president Abraham Lincoln, the emmancipation proclamtion proclaimed all slaves in the rebellious states free. None of the slaves in the south became free due to this immedialty but it changed the motive of the war to the freedom of the slaves. European powers now knew they didnt want to support the south becasue it meant they were fighting for slavery. The slaves also now wanted the north to win to guraenttee their freedom. And finally, the south decided not to -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Union attack in Virgina lead by Burnside. The Union was unable to receive bridges in time to cross the river before the Confederacy could act, resulting in a win for the South and heavy casualties for the North. -
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Battle of Chancellorsville
Widley known as Confederate General Lee's greatest victory of the war. Although the Union outmunbered the confederacy by almorst two to one, Lee's troops were able to force Hooker's troops into a retreat winning the Confederacy the battle. Stonewall Jackson was killed accidentally by shots from his own troops. -
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Battle of Vicksburg
General Grant pushes the Confederate army back into Vicksburg, ending his Vicksburg campaign along the Mississippi. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Battle in Pennsylvania lead by Lee against the Union. The Union wins, ending Lee's invasion attempt with a humiliating retreat. The battle ultimately caused Lincoln to deliver the Gettysburg Address. -
Gettysburg Adress
The Gettysburg Address is the best known speech given by President Abraham Lincoln four months following the battle at Gettysburg. In the speech, he spekas of human equality and reiterates the ideas the nation had been founded on. -
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Battle of Chatanooga
Composed of two battles: the battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The Union's victories forced the Condfederate troops to retreat back into Georgia which eventually lead to the Union's March to the Sea and occupation of Savannah. -
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Overland Campaign
General Grant's plan of attack agaisnt the South on a march to Richmond. The North had many more soliders than the South did but the southerners knew the lay of the land and implemented guriella warfare techniques. After many battles and casualties, the Union was almost to Richmond but instead went to Petersburg after losingso many troops at Cold Harbor. -
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Battle of the Wilderness
The first battle fought in General Grant's Overland campaign. The Union troops outnumbered the Confederate troops greatly but the confederacy knew the land better. The Union was not doing to well but Grant refused to retreat and continued on in the campaign. -
Battle of Atlanta
Battle that occured midway through the Union's Atlanta campaign to take over Atlanta. The city did not fall until September later that year. -
The Battles of Appomattox Station and Court House
The Confederate forces were attempting to retreat after a series of losses and were trying to stay ahead of the Union troops. The Union troops beat them to Appomattox station and were able to capture their supply trains and halt thier retreat resulting in a victory for the Union.
