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Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was the battle that started the Civil War. The South knew that the fort was going to be resupplied (they had been trying to keep it from being resupplied since early 1861). At 4:30am on April 12, Capt. George S. James commanded the Confederate guns to attack the fort and they nearly bombed it to the ground; Union forces had to retreat, there were no casulties but the battle was a major victory for the Confederate. -
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Trevor's Civil War Timeline
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The First Battle of Bull Run
The North wanted an end to the war. After being pressured by the public, Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell led his 33,000 troops to fight the 22,000 Confederate troops near the city of Manassas, Virginia. Although initially succesful, the battle was lost and his remaining troops retreated. -
Abraham Lincoln Takes Charge
Frustrated with the outcome of the struggles thus far, Abraham Lincoln issues a war order against the Confederacy, calling for a unified push against the South, which is ignored by Gen. McClellan. -
The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was fought April 6-7, 1862 in southwest Tennessee. Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant led the Union army into Tennessee along the Tennessee River and was camped at Pittsburg Landing while opposing troops under the command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston and Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard surprise attacked them. During the first day of the battle Union forces were almost defeated but reinforcements came overnight and the tide switched, ending with Confederate forces retreating. -
The Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Lasting from April 18-28, 1862 the two Confederate forts guarding New Orleans, Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip were overtaken by the Union Navy and 18,000 troops under Farragut. It was a devastating loss for the Confederacy. -
The Capture of New Orleans
After leading a brave attack on the South after the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the Union under Farragut could take the largest city in the Confederate States of America, New Orleans. -
The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland and was the bloodiest day ever in American history. The Union's Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan attacked Lee's forces. Although he wasn't able to destroy his army, there were many wounded and Lee was forced to retreat. -
Slavery is Abolished
On January 1, 1863 Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all men under slavery, even in Confederate states. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought from April 30 to May 6. It took place near the village of Chancellorsville in Virginia. The North's Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker led his troops against Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Although the Union army had more than twice as many people, Lee's tactical decision to divide his army many times and flank the opposing force led to his surprising victory. Lt. Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson was shot and mortally wounded by friendly fire. -
The Seige of Vicksburg
The Seige of Vicksburg lasted from May 18 to July 4. The North's Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant led his army across the Mississippi River to fight Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton and his troops. The battles resulted in a Confederate retreat, a win for the Union and North's control over the Mississippi River. -
West Virginia Is Born
Virginia joined the Confederacy in April 1861, however, the state was divided. The western counties of Virginia weren't happy with being in the Confederacy and decided to rejoin the Union June 20, 1863. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1 to July 3. After the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee attacked the North in Pennsylvania. He was met with a staunch defense and Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's army held the line and won the battle, with Lee being forced to retreat back into Virginia. There were many casualties on both sides . -
The Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettsyburg Address at Gettsyburg, Pennsylvania, dedicating the Soldiers' National Cemetary. It was under three minutes long and is one of the most well-known speeches in all of history. -
The Battle of Lookout Mountain
The Battle of Lookout Mountain was fought in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker defeated the Confederacy's Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson on Lookout Mountain. -
Ulysses S. Grant is Promoted
On March 9 Abraham Lincoln appointed Gen. Grant to the position of Commanding General of the Army. -
The Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness was fought from May 5-7 in the wilderness of Spotsylvania Countr, Virginia when Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's troops were attacked while on his Overland Campaign. There were heavy casualties on both sides but Grant decided to disengage and continue his campaign. -
The Battle of Trevilian Station
The Battle of Trevilian Station lasted from June 11-12 in the Louisa County of Virginia. The North's calvary faced off against the South's under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan and Maj. Gens. Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee. It ended with Sheridan's cavalry having to retreat and rejoin Grant. A victory for the Confederacy. -
The Battle of Jonesborough
The Battle of Jonesborough was fought from August 31 to September 1 in Clayton Country, Georgia. It ended with the city of Atlanta being abandoned and being occupied by Union troops, an important political and military event. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea was his Savannah Campaign from November 15 to December 21. After the Union had captured Atlanta, Georgia, Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman led his army from Atlanta to Savannah, Gerogia leaving a wake of destruction of Confederate military necessities, government buildings and even civilian property. -
The Battle of Appomattox Court House
The Battle of Appomattox Court House was the final battle between Lee's Confederate army and Grant's Union army. After having lost previous battles Lee was hoping to regroup with the South's army in North Carolina, but Grant pursued him and Lee was forced to surrender.
