The American Civil War Battles

A Nation Divided

Population in the South, 1850

Battles in the Eastern Theatre, 1861 – Battle of Bull Run

First Battle of Bull Run The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas was the first major land battle of the American Civil War Fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia. Union was routed and forced to retreat back to Washington, D.C. It was now clear that this would be a long and bloody war.

Why was Washington Concerned?

Union Strategy, 1861

Anaconda Plan and Naval Blockade, 1861 In May 1861, Lincoln enacted the Union blockade of all Southern ports Wanted to hurt the Southern economy

Union Naval Blockade

Union Naval Seizures

  The Western Theatre, 1862

The Western Theatre – 1861 - 1865

Major Battles and Events of the Western Theatre Vicksburg Location: Mississippi Dates: May 18-July 4, 1863 Estimated Casualties: 35,825 total (US 4,550; CS 31,275) Results: Union victory Union splits the Confederacy in half along the Mississippi River Sherman’s March to the Sea “Total War” Destroyed each city on the way to Savannah

William T. Sherman Sherman became one of Lincoln’s most trusted Generals as a result of his performance during the war in the West

Sherman’s March, 1864-5

War in Trans-Mississippi Theatre, 1862

War in the Eastern Theatre to 1862

Ulysses S. Grant In June 1864, Matthew Brady photographed Grant at City Point, Va.

Robert E. Lee

Major Battles of the Eastern Theatre Antietam (Deadliest day of the war) State: Maryland Dates: September, 1862 Estimated Casualties: 23,100 total Results: Inconclusive (Union strategic victory.) Fredericksburg State: Virginia Dates: December, 1862 Results: Confederate victory Chancellorsville State: Virginia Dates: April - May , 1863 Results: Confederate victory Gettysburg State: Pennsylvania Dates: July 1-3, 1863 Results: Union victory

Gettysburg Campaign

Gettysburg Fought in Southern Pennsylvania Lee last attempt to invade the north Three days of fighting concluded with Pickett’s Charge Devastated the Confederate ranks The south lost and never recovered… it was the turning point of the war.

Gettysburg Map - Overview

Gettysburg, Day 1 (8 a.m.)

Gettysburg, Day 1 (10 a.m.)

Gettysburg, Day 1 (5 p.m.)

Gettysburg, Day 2

Focal Point of Pickett’s Charge

Gettysburg, Day 3

1863

Eastern Campaigns, 1864

The End is Near, 1864-1865 Lincoln makes Grant commander of all Union armies – beginning of 1864 Union forces in the East attempted to maneuver past Lee and fought several battles Grant's battles of attrition at: Wilderness, Spotsylvania Cold Harbor heavy Union losses, but forced Lee's Confederates to fall back again and again. Pinned down Confederates army in the Siege of Petersburg Trench warfare for over nine months.

Richmond Falls Richmond is the Confederate capital Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Courthouse Lee was permitted to keep his officer's saber and his horse, Traveller.