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Antietam
Robert E Lee goes north to invade Maryland. North and South meet at Antietam Creek. Right before the battle, Mclellan gets a delivery of cigars and a copy of general Lee’s battle plans. Mclellan thought it was a trick, but then decided to trust it and use the plans. The battle was so bloody because they knew what Lee was going to do. 26,000 killed in a day, Lee lost and retreated with only 5,000 men left. -
Vicksburg
one of the last remaining strongholds on the Mississippi River. Union forces lay siege to the town for six weeks. City surrendered on July 4th. Union on the way to controlling the Mississippi River and splitting the South in half. -
Gettysburg
On July 1st confederate soldiers searching for supplies encountered union cavalry on patrol. Union forces take defensive positions on hills. On July 2nd Confederate forces drove the Union out of town. Union still has the high ground. On July 3rd Lee ordered the largest ever cannon barrage of the war. 170 Cannon fired together. General George Pickett leads the famous charge. It failed and 10,000 people ended up dying. Lee retreated on July 4th it was the worst defeat ever suffered. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
Grant and Sherman’s chance to end the war. They want to make the South regret ever leaving the Union. Grant orders Sherman to order total war and wage a total war on the South. Sherman burns everything and kills all the animals. Sherman said war was cruelty and the crueler it is the sooner it will end. -
Appomattox
Union corners Lee at Appomattox courthouse in Virginia Grant offers generous terms “The war is over the rebels are our countrymen again.
