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Battle of Fort Sumter
This was the first battle of the war. Confederate General Beauregard shot flaming mortar into the air and it exploded over Fort Sumter, where the Union was at the time. The Union was incredibly unprepared and stood little chance against the Confederacy. The battle continued for nearly 36 hours, they fought back and forth until the Confederates fired hot shots at Fort Sumter which caused the buildings within it to burn down. With no resources left, General Anderson surrendered to the Confederacy. -
First Bull Run
First Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War. The Union Army marched from Washington D.C.. to the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Their path was blocked by the Confederate Army. The Confederate Army dominated the Union Army and once they received reinforcements, they completely defeated the Union Army, causing roughly 4,800 men from the Union to die. -
Fort Donelson
Union General Grant captured Fort Donelson which is located near the Cumberland River in Tennessee. The Confederates initially repelled an attack from the Union and planned a counterattack. As they were on the verge of winning, they halted and retreated which gave General Grant time to find the Confederate’s weak spot and attack it. Confederate General Pillow and Floyd fled, abandoning 13,000 men who then waved a white flag. This led the Union to ultimately winning this battle. -
Battle of Shiloh
At this time, the Union achieved victories in Kentucky and Tennessee and they planned to move south and capture a Confederate railway. Confederate General Johnston protected the town but Grant beat him there. Johnston’s forces attacked but Grant’s army was joined with Buell’s army which led to them mortally wounding Johnston. Beauregard, the new Confederate General, withdrew. The total casualties totaled more than 23,000 people altogether. -
Battle of Antietam
Confederate General Lee attempted to move the war up north. He planned to split his army so one group took supplies to Maryland, one group moved into Pennsylvania, and one group threatened Washington D.C. The Union got word of his plan and confronted the force at Antietam Creek in Maryland. The Union General McClellan took 18 hours to move his troops which gave the Confederates time to bring in reinforcements. The battle ended in a draw with 23,000 men killed. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Confederate General Lee divided his forces and forced his way through a rough forest to surprise the Union General Hooker in Chancellorsville Virginia. After multiple days of fighting, the Union troops were forced to retreat, resulting in the Confederate’s victory. The Union lost more than 17,000 men and the Confederates lost nearly 13,000. -
Battle of Vicksburg
Union General Grant attempted to attack Confederate troops in order to gain control of the Mississippi River but was unsuccessful so his troops settled along a siege and bombarded Vicksburg with fire and artillery from gunboats. Grant broke through the defenses and claimed victory of the critical supply line of the entire Mississippi River. This led the Confederates' retreat, as they could not hold out any longer. This caused the Confederacy to be split in half, divided by the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the bloodiest battle throughout the Civil War and the most losses. Confederate General Lee attempted to use geography to his advantage and tried to take down the Union’s defense by offensive assaults. By the third day, the Union had reinforcements which led to many Confederate’s deaths and the Union’s victory. During the chaos, Lee escaped. This battle led to the death of roughly 23,000 men from the Union and 28,000 from the South. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
Union General Sherman led 60,000 soldiers on a 285 mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgie’s in attempts to frighten Georgia’s citizens into abandoning the Confederate cause. The soldiers didn’t destroy any towns during the match but they stole food and livestock and burned houses and barns down of anyone who attempted to fight against them. Sherman’s troops arrived in Savannah on December 21, 1864 but the Confederate soldiers had already fled. -
Palmito Ranch
Palmito Ranch is considered the final battle in the Civil War. Union General Barrett led his groups towards Palmito Ranch and both the Confederates and the Union had to call for reinforcements but the Union was still quickly outnumbered. As Confederate General Ford’s troops attacked fiercely, Barrett withdrew away from Palmito Ranch. The Confederates quickly found his troops and planned to attack so Barrett ordered a retreat which caused the Confederacy to win the last battle of the Civil War.