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Battle of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, an island fortification in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, is famous for being the location of the first shots of the Civil War. After South Carolina's secession from the Union, US Major Robert Anderson occupied the port and initiated a standoff with the state's militia. President Abraham Lincoln announced he would resupply the fort, but this was met with bombarding of Fort Sumter by Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard on April 12, 1861. -
Carthage
This was a smaller battle at the beginning of the war, where Union forces were outnumbered 6000 to 1100. The Confederates won under the command of Sterling Price, setting up the battle with Lyon's forces at Wilson's Creek a month later. -
Battle of Rich Mountain
The Battle of Rich Mountain took place in West Virginia under the command of Union General George B. McClellan and Confederate General John Pregram. The Confederates were outnumbered 5000 to 1300, thus leading to their defeat. There was an approximate 346 casualties, 300 of which were Confederate. -
Bull Run
Bull Run was a major battle in the first year of the war. It was fought between 60,680 troops, with the Union, under the command of Irvin McDowell, being outnumbered by around 4000 troops. The Confederates, under P.G.T. Beauregard, won, bearing almost 2000 casualties. This was the first major battle of the war. -
Mill Springs
Mill Springs was the first significant Union victory of the war. Its purpose was to keep the border state of Kentucky in the Union. This was achieved through the efforts of Union commander George Thomas with minimal Union casualties. The battle helped improve deteriorating Northern morale. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was another battle with many troops but an inconclusive result. George B. McClellan led 121,500 Union troops against 35,000 Confederates, planning to bombard the Warwick Line, only to find that the Confederate army had slipped away in the night toward Williamsburg. -
Battle of Glendale
The Battle of Glendale was another inconclusive battle at the beginning part of the war. It was fought between 40,000 Union and 45,000 Confederate troops. Union general George B. McClellan pulled his army back to the south and established a strong position on Malvern Hill, where the fighting would continue the next day. -
Second Manassas
Confederate general Robert E. Lee wanted to move his army north and threaten Washington DC. Although outnumbered, the Confederate army managed to win against Union general John Pope. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. -
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry was a vital Union garrison and the Confederate army under Stonewall Jackson succeeded in taking it. There was an estimated 12,922 casualties in the battle, a vast majority of them on the Union's side. -
Chancellorsville
Chancellorsville was a major battle in the middle of the war. Although the Union forces under Joseph Hooker outnumbered the Confederates under Robert E. Lee 5 to 3, the Confederates still won. A major Confederate general, Stonewall Jackson, died in this battle. Robert E. Lee was encouraged by this victory and decided to launch a second northern invasion in June 1863. -
Brandy Station
Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought in North America. It was fought between 11,000 Union troops led by Alfred Pleasonton and 9,500 Confederate troops led by J. E. B. Stuart. The battle was not won by either side, Pleasonton abandoned the field after fourteen hours of fighting and left the battle inconclusive. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Probably the most well known battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg was a Union victory under George G. Meade. The battle resulted in incredible casualties, and caused Abraham Lincoln to deliver his famous Gettysburg Address. -
Battle of Chattanooga
The Battle of Chattanooga was another major battle in the middle of the war. Union general Ulysses S. Grant wanted to lift the Confederate siege of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The battle was fought over 3 days and finally won by the Union. -
Battle of Dallas
The Battle of Dallas was a major battle towards the end of the war. One hundred and twenty thousand troops were involved, with a ratio of 2 to 1 Union and Confederate, respectively. The Union forces, under William T. Sherman, defeated Joseph E. Johnston's army. Both sides suffered many casualties. -
Petersburg
The motivation behind this battle was Ulysses S. Grant's strategy to cut off supply and communication routes to the Confederate capitol at Richmond. However, this strategy was not successful, and the Confederates, under Robert E. Lee, won with considerably less casualties. -
Battle of Fort Stevens
The Battle of Fort Stevens is notable because it was observed by Abraham Lincoln, who came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters. It was fought between 9,600 Union and 10,000 Confederate troops under Horatio G. Wright and Jubal Early, respectively. The Union won, suffering very little casualties. -
Battle of Fort Harrison
The Battle of Fort Harrison was a part of the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Fort Harrison was a critical link in Richmond's defense, making it a tempting target for the Union. Under Edward O.C. Ord and with almost double the troops, the Union won the battle, however with 3000 more casualties than the Confederacy. -
Battle of Nashville
Nearing the end of the war, the Battle of Nashville was significant because it effectively ended the war in Tennessee. The Union forces under George Thomas beat Confederate forces under John Bell Hood with significant casualties. -
Battle of Sailor's Creek
This was a smaller battle towards the very end of the war. The Union troops, under the command of Philip Sheridan, outnumbered the Confederates and captured about one fourth of the Confederate army, forcing them to surrender 3 days later. -
Appomattox Court House
The Confederate surrender at the Appomattox Court House in April of 1865 marked the end of the Civil War and the Union win. Confederate general Robert E. Lee was cut off from getting his supplies and forced to surrender. Lee and Union general Ulysses S. Grant met at the Appomattox Courthouse and the official surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia was signed.
