Major Battles of the Civil War

Fort Sumter April 12, 1861 Fort Sumter is located in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, did not want Fort Sumter to be resupplied and ordered its capture. Confederate artillery fired upon the Federal Arsenal at Fort Sumter early in the morning. Union troops surrendered Fort Sumter after one and a half days of fighting. Casualties: None Outcome: Confederate Victory Significance: Marked the beginning of the Civil War.

Fort Sumter under the Confederate Flag Photo Credits in Public Domain http://www.archives.gov/research/military/civil-war/photos/images/civil-war-087.jpg

First Battle of Bull Run July 1861 This was the first major battle of the Civil War. The North (Union) expected to win the war quickly because they had more people, and were more industrious to produce weapons and supplies. Casualties: Approximately 4,800 Outcome: Confederate Victory -The South surprised the North by winning the battle. Significance: Showed that the war would not be so short after all.

Battle of Bull Run – July 1861 (Battle of Manassas)

Bull Run – General “Stonewall” Jackson Early on, the fighting went in the Union’s Favor. Some Confederate soldiers began to turn back, but General Thomas Jackson from Virginia told his men to hold their place. Because the general and his men stood “like a stone wall,” he became known as Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862 Occurred near Sharpsburg, Maryland Confederate forces led by General Robert E. Lee Casualties: Approximately 22,700 Outcome: No real winner. However, the Union claimed victory giving Lincoln the support he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Also, after this battle the Confederacy lost the support of Great Britain. Significance: The bloodiest day of the Civil War

Crossing the Bridge in Antietam Photo Credit Public Domain http://www.archives.gov/research/military/civil-war/photos/images/civil-war-093.jpg

Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4, 1863 Occurred in Vicksburg, Mississippi Union led by General Ulysses S. Grant Union needed to take control of Vicksburg in order to gain control of the Mississippi River to weaken the Confederacy. The Union troops formed a blockade forcing Confederate soldiers to surrender Vicksburg because they faced starvation. Casualties: Approximately 37,000 Outcome: Union Victory Significance: Confederate forces were split in half. Helped Abraham Lincoln win re-election.

Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863 Occurred near the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Confederate troops were led by General Robert E. Lee. Hoping to end the war, Lee tried to destroy the North and have them accept the division of the country. With fewer men and less supplies, Lee’s forces were halted and defeated. Casualties: Approximately 51,000 Outcome: Union Victory Significance: Marked the turning point in the war.

Battle of Gettysburg

Atlanta Campaign July 1864 The purpose of the Atlanta Campaign was to destroy the South’s resources. Atlanta was a vital industrial and railway center in the South. In 6 weeks of fighting, General Sherman had the city of Atlanta surrounded. General Sherman’s men ordered everyone to leave Atlanta and burned almost the entire city. The defeat of Atlanta convinced the North that the end of the war was near and helped Lincoln gain his re-election.

William Tecumseh Sherman Atlanta Campaign General Sherman is famous for using a method of warfare called “total war” in the South. The aim of total war is to destroy the opposing army and the people’s will to fight. He did this by burning railroads, houses, barns, and fields.

Atlanta Campaign

Atlanta Campaign

Sherman’s March to the Sea After taking Atlanta, General Sherman marched across Georgia to the sea. General Sherman was determined to destroy the South’s ability to wage war and feed its armies. Along the way General Sherman captured food, freed slaves, and burned many farms. At the end, Sherman captured Savannah and presented the city as a gift to Lincoln.

Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia April 9, 1865 Terms of surrender: Confederate Soldiers had to give up their weapons, give their word that they would not fight again, and head back to their homes. General Grant allowed the Confederate Soldiers to keep their horses and provided them with food. Casualties: Approximately 700 Outcome: Union Victory Significance: General Robert E. Lee surrendered in the town of Appomattox Court House in central Virginia. Marked the end of the Civil War.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee signing the surrender documents. Before meeting with Grant, Lee said he would “rather die a thousand deaths.”

McLean House Where Confederate General Robert E. Lee Surrendered Photo Credit Public Domain http://www.archives.gov/research/military/civil-war/photos/images/civil-war-111.jpg

The Civil War Facts The most destructive war in United States history. Towns, farms and industries – mostly in the South- were ruined. In the end, the Union had an advantage because it had more money, weapons, soldiers, factories, railroads, and food supplies. Approximately 620,000 soldiers died.