-
Fort Sumter
Confederate forces threatened the federal-held Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. On April 12, after Lincoln ordered a fleet to resupply Sumter, Confederate artillery fired the first shots of the Civil War https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Bull Run 1
Confederate soldiers under the command of Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson forced a greater number of Union forces (or Federals) to retreat towards Washington, D.C., dashing any hopes of a quick Union victory and leading Lincoln to call for 500,000 more recruits. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Ironclads
The ironclad was a new kind of warship first used in the Civil War. Previous warships had been built out of wood. These ships could be easily sunk by cannonballs. Ironclad warships, however, were protected with outer armor made of iron. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/clash-ironclads -
Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, allowed Union troops to penetrate the Confederate interior. The South’s defeat at Shiloh ended the Confederacy’s hopes of blocking the Union's advance into Mississippi and doomed the Confederate military initiative in the West. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/shiloh -
Bull Run 2
On August 29, Union troops led by John Pope struck Jackson’s forces in the Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas). The next day, Lee hit the Federal left flank with a massive assault, driving Pope’s men back toward Washington. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Antietam
On September 17, the Army of the Potomac hit Lee’s forces (reinforced by Jackson’s) in what became the war’s bloodiest single day of fighting. The Union victory at Antietam would prove decisive, as it halted the Confederate advance in Maryland and forced Lee to retreat into Virginia. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Fredericksburg
Burnside’s assault on Lee’s troops near Fredericksburg on December 13 ended in heavy Union casualties and a Confederate victory; he was promptly replaced by Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker, and both armies settled into winter quarters across the Rappahannock River from each other. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Chancellorsville
In the spring of 1863, Hooker’s plans for a Union offensive were thwarted by a surprise attack by the bulk of Lee’s forces on May 1, whereupon Hooker pulled his men back to Chancellorsville. The Confederates gained a costly victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville. -
Brandy Station
The arrival of blue troopers at Brandy Station threatened the rear of Stuart's position. Stuart countered by deftly shifting his brigades, and the two sides clashed in mounted combat on a long, low ridge that rose from the station called Fleetwood Hill. It was the largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the American Civil War, as well as the largest ever to take place on American soil. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/brandy-station -
Gettysburg
Lee launched another invasion of the North in June, attacking Union forces commanded by General George Meade on July 1 near Gettysburg, in southern Pennsylvania. Over three days of fierce fighting, the Confederates were unable to push through the Union center and suffered casualties of close to 60 percent. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Vicksburg
Meade failed to counterattack, however, and Lee’s remaining forces were able to escape into Virginia, ending the last Confederate invasion of the North. Also in July 1863, Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant took Vicksburg (Mississippi) in the Siege of Vicksburg, a victory that would prove to be the turning point of the war in the western theater. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
Sherman outmaneuvered Confederate forces to take Atlanta by September, after which he and some 60,000 Union troops began the famous “March to the Sea,” devastating Georgia on the way to capturing Savannah on December 21. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Appomattox
An immediate counterattack reversed the victory, however, and on the night of April 2-3 Lee’s forces evacuated Richmond. For most of the next week, Grant and Meade pursued the Confederates along the Appomattox River, finally exhausting their possibilities for escape. Grant accepted Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history