Major Battles Civil War Timeline

  • Period: to

    Civil War

  • Fort Sumter

    Abraham Lincoln was giving the people stuck in Fort Sumter supplies because they were running low on food but they ended up getting attack by the confederate and surrendered.
  • First Battle of Bull Run

    The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the war. Near Manassas, Virginia. Union forces under the command of General Irvin McDowell attempted to surprise the Confederate troops.
  • Battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson

    Both battles occurred with in 10 miles of each other in the same month. 7 gunboats began attacking the fort and the Confederate troops evacuated and move to Fort Donelson. Union casualties were 2,331 whit the Confederacy suffered over 15,000 casualties.
  • Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack

    This was the most well-know battle of the Civil War. It was also between 2 ironclad ships, the Monitor and the Merrimack. Neither side won but the battle got nationwide attention and also revolutionized how warships were built.
  • Battle and Capture of New Orleans

    The Capture of New Orleans by the Union was a major turning point in the Civil War. New Orleans was the Confederacy's largest city and it was a powerful and economical port because of its location.
  • The Battle of Antietam

    This was the first battle to take place on Northern soil. This was the bloodiest day in the Civil War. There was 23,000 casualties including more than 4,800 deaths.
  • The Emancipation Proclamation

    The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order the President Lincoln signed on January 1, 1863. It gave the freedom to 3.1 million slaves in the Confederacy. This enraged the South and turn the Civil War into a war to destroy the Old South.
  • Battle of Gettysburg

    In this battle there were over 46,00 casualties including almost 8,000 deaths. The battle lasted 3 days.
  • Lincoln wins re-election

    Sherman's victory in Atlanta boosted Lincoln's popularity and helped him get re-elected. This was a crucial moment in the Civil War
  • Lee Surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse

    After evacuating Richmond, General Lee's troops were quickly surrounded and on April 7th Grant called Lee to surrender.