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Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was the bloodiest battle in American History and was the battle that started the Civil War. On April 12 of 1861, the Confederate States attacked the Unions military post located in Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Lincoln told the U.S. troops to evacuate but they didn't listen and on April 13th, they were forced to evacuate. -
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Important Battles During The Civil War
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First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run started when 35,000 Union Troops led by McDowell left Washington D.C and attacked the Confederate Troops alongside the Bull Run river. The Union troops tried to attack the Confederate troops from left side but failed and the Confederates ended up with another victory. McClellen replaced McDowell after this battle. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh started on April 6, 1862 when Albert Sidney Johnston issued the Confederate troops to a surprise attack on the Union led by General Ulysses S. Grant in Tennessee. On April 7, Grant led a counterattack and pushed the Confederate army back to Shiloh Church and earned the Union Victory. There were more than 23,000 casualties in this battle. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam occurred at Antietam Creek in Maryland. Leading the Confederate army was Robert E. Lee who wanted to move the fighting from the South to the North so he moved up. McClellen got a hold of Lee's plans for attack and didn't use them. The Unions still ended up with the victory. There were around 22,000 casualties which was the most during a single-day battle. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville started on April 30, 1863 and ended on April 6, 1863. Hooker was the new leader of the Union. Going into battle, the Union had the biggest advantage because they had 115,000 men while Lee and the Confederates had only 60,000. Hooker thought that they could come from behind the Confederate trenches and catch them by surprise. Lee attacked the Union troops from the right side which led to a Confederate Victory. This Victory also led to Stonewall Jackson's death. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The battle of Vicksburg started on May 18, 1863 and ended on July 4, 1863. The Union held a 47 day Siege in Vicksburg led by Grant. Grant still made some attacks but realized the Confederates were well entrenched. The Union won this battle and took control of the Mississippi river which was a major source of transportation and supplies. The loss of the Mississippi river cut off all trade for the Confederates which was a huge turning point for the Union. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg started on July 1, 1863 and ended on July 3, 1863. Lee decided that he wanted to invade the North a second time. Meade was just put at Major General and he ordered the pursuit of Lee’s army of 75,000 immediately. They collided in Gettysburg and Lee ordered an attack at Cemetary Ridge. Eventually, too many of the confederate soldiers had died and forced Lee to retreat and end his invasion of the North. The Union had yet another victory. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga started on September 18, 1863 and ended on September 20, 1863. The Union arm led by General William Rosecrans forced the Confederates out of Chattanooga the morning of September 18th. Braxton Bragg called for reinforcements for the confederates and launched a counterattack against the Union at Chickamauga Creek. Grant called for more reinforcements and the Union pulled off the victory. -
Battle of Atlanta
During the Battle of Atlanta, the confederate slaves built 2 rings. The outer ring was a series of trenches to slow the Union troops down and the inner ring was heavily defended by Confederate troops. Hood then wanted to attack the Union from the left side and destroy their supply train. Grant on the other hand ordered 5 attacks at the same time in attempt to destroy the Confederate army. The Confederates were forced back and resulted in another Union victory. -
Battle of Appomattox Station and Courthouse
The Battle of Appomattox Station and Courthouse only lasted a few hours. General Lee’s troops tried to retreat but the Union forces blocked it and took around 6,000 prisoners. The Confederate forces were almost completely surrounded. They tried a “last-ditch offensive” which helped at first but then turned out to not be successful. Lee then surrendered which was the ending of the Civil War.