-
Fort Sumter
The first shots of the Civil War were fired. This was only one month after Abraham Lincoln became President. There had been a threat by Confederate forces against Fort Sumter and Lincoln ordered a restock of supplies. Confederates fired first.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/fort-sumter -
Bull Run 1
The first major land battle in the Civile War. About 35,000 troops from Washington DC went to a small river called Bull Run. They fought around 20,000 Confederates. Confederates won.
Where the nickname "Stonewall" Jackson came from.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Antietam
Troops were on opposite sides of the creek and faced off across a cornfield. Over a period of twelve hours there was fighting at close range with muskets and cannons. The result was around 23,000 casualties which included an estimate of 3,650 dead. The Union claimed victory. Following the battle, Lincoln released the Emancipation Proclamation.
The bloodiest day of fighting
https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history -
Ironclads
Two iron ships the Monitor and the Merrimack battled. It was the first time iron ships fought each other. They fought for hours and cannonballs bounced off. Neither won.
This changed Naval strategy and proved the importance of iron ships over wooden ships. https://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/battle_of_ironclads.php#:~:text=The%20ironclad%20was%20a%20new,outer%20armor%20made%20of%20iron. -
Shiloh
Ulysses S Grant for the North had 42,000 troops and the South led by Johnston and Beauregard had 40,000. They knew Grant had another 20,000 reinforcements on the way so they decided to attack early. Johnston was killed but the first day was not good for the North. During the night the additional troops arrived. Grant launched a counterattack the next morning and Beauregard retreated. Ulysses S Grant became a hero.
https://www.historyonthenet.com/battle-of-shiloh-6-7-april-1862 -
Bull Run 2
The Confederates led by Robert E Lee split and sent half the army to a supply base. They took supplies, burned the base then hid in the woods. As the rest of the army arrived there were a lot of losses on both sides. The Federal army withdrew back to Washington.
The smart strategy from the Confederate leadership had a negative impact on Union morale.
https://www.history.com/.image/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_960/MTU3ODc5MDg1MzU3NDc1MTQ1/second_bull_run_.webp -
Fredericksburg
This was the first battle involving crossing being opposed while crossing a river. Pontoons had not arrived in time and both sides could see each other clearly. While one group was trying to build a bridge, the other was attacking them.
https://www.historynet.com/battle-of-fredericksburg/#:~:text=Battle%20Of%20Fredericksburg%20Summary%3A%20The,crossing%20in%20the%20nation's%20history. -
Chancellorsville
The Union had almost twice as many troops but Robert E Lee used his tactic of splitting the army and sending half to be led by Stonewall Jackson. The Confederate troops won but in the battle, Jackson was accidentally shot in the shoulder by a North Carolina soldier mistaking him for the enemy. His left arm had to be amputated and he died from pneumonia about a week later.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-chancellorsville -
Vicksburg
Grant had troops surround the city of Vicksburg trapping where 29,000 confederate troops led by Pemberton inside. They build 15 miles of trenches around the perimeter and held them cut off from supplies for 47 days before Pemberton surrendered. Because of how awful the suffering was for troops and civilians during that time, the city of Vicksburg did not celebrate 4th of July for 81 years after that event.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/vicksburg-campaign -
Brandy Station
The largest cavalry battle. It was significant because the South was caught off guard and almost lost in their own territory. The only reason they had a narrow victory was because JEB Stuart reacted quickly. Even with a loss, the North felt good about their actions. Brandy Station "made" the Federal Cavalry.
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-brandy-station -
Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a significant victory for the Union and changed the focus of the purpose of the war. The goal of the North changed from keeping the country united, to fighting for freedom. At that point, Lincoln released the Emancipation Proclamation and declared an end to slavery.
https://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-should-know-about-the-battle-of-gettysburg -
Sherman's March to the Sea
General Sherman led Union soldiers on a 285-mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia which lasted over a month. The purpose was to scare Confederate civilians into giving up. They stole food and animals and burned down barns and houses of anyone who was not cooperative.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/shermans-march -
Appomattox
The Confederate army was getting weaker and soldiers were defecting. General Robert E Lee continued to lead troops to Appomattox Court House, but when he reached there he knew there was no way they could continue. Instead, he surrendered to General Ulysses S Grant. This was the end of the War. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/appomattox-court-house
