Battles and Events of the Civil War

First Shots at Fort Sumter The south took control of most of the federal forts in the South. The south took control of most of the federal forts in the South. However, Major Robert Anderson held onto Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. However, Major Robert Anderson held onto Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.

First Shots at Fort Sumter Before the North could re-supply the troops in the fort, the Confederates attacked. Before the North could re-supply the troops in the fort, the Confederates attacked. At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861 the Confederates opened fire on the fort. At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861 the Confederates opened fire on the fort.

First Shots at Fort Sumter Anderson was forced to surrender. Anderson was forced to surrender. This was the beginning of the Civil War. This was the beginning of the Civil War.

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Battles Battles Battles

Battle of Antietam Lee decided to take the Southern army on the offensive and attack the North. Lee decided to take the Southern army on the offensive and attack the North. A copy of Lee’s battle plans were accidentally left at a campsite by one of Lee’s officers and discovered by the North. A copy of Lee’s battle plans were accidentally left at a campsite by one of Lee’s officers and discovered by the North.

Battle of Antietam With these plans, the North attacked Lee and the Southern army at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland. With these plans, the North attacked Lee and the Southern army at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland. The Battle of Antietam became the bloodiest day in all of American history. The Battle of Antietam became the bloodiest day in all of American history.

Battle of Antietam In one day of fighting, 25,000 men were dead or wounded. In one day of fighting, 25,000 men were dead or wounded. The battle was considered a draw, and Lee withdrew his troops to Virginia. The battle was considered a draw, and Lee withdrew his troops to Virginia.

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Emancipation Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. January 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It freed all slaves in the Confederate territory (only). It freed all slaves in the Confederate territory (only).

Emancipation Proclamation President Lincoln did not have the power to free slave throughout the entire country, only Congress could do that. President Lincoln did not have the power to free slave throughout the entire country, only Congress could do that. Lincoln asked Congress to abolish slavery gradually throughout the land. It actually freed very few slaves. Lincoln asked Congress to abolish slavery gradually throughout the land. It actually freed very few slaves.

Battle of Gettysburg It took place in July of 1863 in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It took place in July of 1863 in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 90,000 Union troops under General Meade fought with 75,000 of General Lee’s Confederate troops. 90,000 Union troops under General Meade fought with 75,000 of General Lee’s Confederate troops.

Battle of Gettysburg The turning point in the battle was Pickett’s Charge. The turning point in the battle was Pickett’s Charge. Lee ordered General Picket to lead his Confederate troops to attack the middle of the Union lines. Lee ordered General Picket to lead his Confederate troops to attack the middle of the Union lines.

Battle of Gettysburg This was a big mistake. The Confederate troops were driven back and forced to retreat. This was a big mistake. The Confederate troops were driven back and forced to retreat. The North wins the Battle of Gettysburg The North wins the Battle of Gettysburg

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Siege of Vicksburg Vicksburg was the last remaining Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. Vicksburg was the last remaining Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. The union troops under Grant, tried a direct attack, but it failed. The union troops under Grant, tried a direct attack, but it failed.

Siege of Vicksburg Then Grant started a long siege of the fort. Then Grant started a long siege of the fort. The Union cut off all supplies coming into the fort. The Union cut off all supplies coming into the fort. The confederates ran out of food and were forced to surrender a month and a half later. The confederates ran out of food and were forced to surrender a month and a half later.

Siege of Vicksburg This victory gave the Union army full control of the Mississippi River and it cut the Confederacy into two parts. This victory gave the Union army full control of the Mississippi River and it cut the Confederacy into two parts.

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Surrender at Appomattox Lee wanted to continue to fight, but he knew that things were hopeless, so he sent word to General Grant with the Union army that he was willing to talk. Lee wanted to continue to fight, but he knew that things were hopeless, so he sent word to General Grant with the Union army that he was willing to talk.

Surrender at Appomattox April 9, 1865 Lee (Confederacy) and Grant (Union) met in the small town of Appomattox Court House to arrange the surrender of the Confederate Army. April 9, 1865 Lee (Confederacy) and Grant (Union) met in the small town of Appomattox Court House to arrange the surrender of the Confederate Army.

Surrender at Appomattox This ended the Civil War. This ended the Civil War. The Confederates were allowed to lay down their guns and return home with their private possessions and horses. The Confederates were allowed to lay down their guns and return home with their private possessions and horses.

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Lincoln’s Assassination 5 days after Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, while he was watching a play. 5 days after Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, while he was watching a play.

Lincoln’s Assassination Lincoln was the 1st President to be assassinated Lincoln was the 1st President to be assassinated