Civil War Major Battles

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas, was the first major battle of the American Civil War and was a Confederate victory.

Second Battle of Bull Run

Aug 29, 1862

In the Second Battle of Bull Run, Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee defeated a Union army under the command of Major General John Pope.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Was one of the bloodiest engagements between the North and South. A decisive engagement that halted the Confederate invasion of Maryland, an advance that was regarded as one of the greatest Confederate threats to Washington, D.C.

Siege of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

The Siege of Vicksburg was a great victory for the Union. It gave control of the Mississippi River to the Union. Around the same time, the Confederate army under General Robert E. Lee was defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg. These two victories marked the major turning point of the Civil War in favor of the Union.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

The Battle of Gettysburg fought on July 1–3, 1863, was the turning point of the Civil War for one main reason , Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the North and force an immediate end to the war failed. The collision of two great armies at Gettysburg put an end to that audacious plan.