7 Battles from the Civil War
By: Megan Gibson
Fort Sumter
The first shots of the Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter, which was located in Charleston Harbor, SC. Confederate General Beauregard demanded the surrender of the fort by Union Major Robert Anderson. The Confederates outnumbered the Union troops 500 to 80, and the Confederated won the battle and captured the fort with no deaths on either side on April 14, 1861.
Antietam
The Battle of Antietam on September 16-18, 1862 in Sharpsburg, MD included the single bloodiest day in American military history. General McClellan led 87,000 Union troops against General Lee and his 45,000 troops. Although nobody really won the battle, the Union forces claimed victory because they drove the Confederate forces out of Maryland. Lincoln felt it was a “victory” he needed before delivering the Emancipation Proclamation.
Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg took place between May 18 and July 4, 1863 in Vicksburg, MS. General Grant was in charge of the Union forces while the Confederates were lead by Pemberton. The Confederates had 77,000 soldiers and the Confederates only 33,000. Vicksburg was important because it was on the Mississippi River. The Union had to lay siege Vicksburg, and eventually the Confederates surrendered.
Fort Sumter
Antietam
Vicksburg
Gettysburg
General Robert E. Lee went into Pennsylvania for his second invasion of the North to threaten Northern cities. He also wanted to try to weaken the North’s appetite for war and strengthen the peace movement in the North. He lead over 71,000 troops against 93,000 Union troops under the command of General George Meade. General Lee failed, 51,112 people died, and it was a victory for the Union.
Sherman's March to Sea
Sherman March to the sea all started with the Battle of Atlanta. The Commanders during this battle were William T Sherman and John Bell Hood. It started when Sherman sent Kenner Garrard’s cavalry east to wreck the Georgia Railroad. The March went from Atlanta to Savannah. They burned down anything in their way, 60 miles wide. This was another victory for the Union, with about 9,222 casualties.
Fort Fisher
The battle of Fort Fishers started on January 13 1865 in New Hanover County, North Carolina.The commanders in the battle were Commander Braxton Bragg (Union) and Commander Robert F Hook (Confederate). In the battle, there was a total estimate of 1,924 casualties. The battle lasted three days and it was a victory for the Union.
Appomattox Court House
The Appomattox Court House started on April 9th 1865 in Appomattox County Virginia. This was the final surrendering for the Civil War. There was a totally of 89,285 soldiers and an estimated 700 casualties. The commander for the Union was Ulysses S. Grant. The Union had won. The commander for the confederate side was Robert E. Lee. This was once again a victory for the Union.