The Civil War
The Three most Important Battles
Lillie Cox
1. Battle of Antietam
This battle is important because it was a key victory for the Union. It was the deadliest single day of fighting in the war. 21,000 soldiers died, and 17,000 were injured or maimed. Lee's wave of confidence and strategy to attack failed, and he retreated back to Virginia after the battle. The battle lasted eight long hours. The Battle of Antietam led to the writing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Strategies: S-decided to switch from defence to offence, N-pushing the south, found that Lee was behind them, had to turn around.
Battle of Antietam
Map of Battle Routes
Robert E. Lee and George B. McClellan
2. Battle of Gettysburg
This battle was important because it was one of the most decisive battles of the war. The Union won, but lost 23,000 soldiers. The South lost 25,000. Gettysburg also ended the Confederate's hope of gaining help from Britain and France. The battle lasted two days. It led to the writing of the Gettysburg Address, the most important speech in the war.
Strategies: S-create a panic and virtually destroy the Union army, N-held their ground
Battle of Gettysburg
Map of Battle Routes
Robert E. Lee and George Meade
3. Battle of Vicksburg
This battle was important because the Union gained control over the city Vicksburg, Mississippi, which was an important port for the Mississippi river. The South lost 9,000 soldiers, while the Union lost 10,000. A few days after the battle, the South lost another important port called Port Hudson, which was the South's last hold on the Mississippi. The battle lasted 47 days. This was the turning point of the American Civil War.
Strategies: S-defend, N- used the anaconda plan and surrounded the south, stopping supplies from going in