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battle of bullrun
The first major engagement of the war. Confederate forces were unorganized compared to the Federal Army, they reasoned, and all that was needed was to plow through whatever little opposition they offered and take the Confederate capital of Richmond.The first phase of the campaign would be to attack the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia amassed at a creek known as Bull Run, thus allowing troops from the larger Union army to flank and destroy the Confederate line. -
Battle of Glorieta Pass
The issue of slavery was a major point of contention as the western states and territories took shape. On March 26, 1862, Union forces under the command of Col John Slough and Maj John Chivington, a former preacher, engaged the Confederate Army at Glorieta Pass. Fighting on the first day came to a stalemate, and the second day saw little action, but on the third day the Confederates forced a Union retreat from the field, allowing a clear shot at the trail. -
Siege of Vicksburg
In the spring, Grant, enacted a brazen plan to march his troops down the western side of the river, cross the Mississippi and assault the city. the taking of Vicksburg provided much more than just a morale boost for the United States. The Union now had control of the Mississippi, and could freely move troops and supplies along its length. The future of the Confederacy was now in serious peril. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Union cavalry encountered forward elements of Confederate infantry near the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A scrap soon erupted into one of the most massive battles in American history. Over the course of three sweltering days the fight raged on, culminating in one final push by the Confederates to crush the Army of the Potomac, and win the war. -
battle of antietam sharpsburg
The two armies came together near Sharpsburg, Maryland. The remnants of Lee’s forces numbered less than 20,000. He had recalled Jackson and Longstreet, but until their forces arrived he was severely outnumbered, and could only take a defensive position behind Antietam Creek. This battle was the bloodiest single day of fighting in American history. Union attacks were time and again repelled by the Confederates, who mounted their own counter attacks, driving back the Federal troops.
