Major Battles
American Civil War 1861-1865
Fort Sumter, April 12-14 1861
This was the first battle of the Civil War. The Confederates led by General P.G.T Beauregard opened fire and began the bombardment of the Union garrison at Fort Sumter. The bombardment lasted for 34 hours and there were no casualties on either side. Earlier on Robert E. Lee asked for the surrender of the fort because it was in South Carolina which was part of the Confederacy, but Lincoln refused so Lee told Beauregard to open fire.
Battle Of Antietam September 17, 1862
This was the first battle fought on Northern soil. More soldiers died this day than any other battle fought. 12,400 Union were killed, captured or wounded. 10,320 Confederates were killed, wounded, or captured. This battle was important for the North because it slowed the advance of the Confederacy into the North.
Battle Of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863
Gettysburg was a very bloody day. 22,815 Union went missing, were killed, or wounded. The Confederates lost 22,700 men. This battle was another huge victory for the North because it stopped the second invasion of the North.
Sherman's March 1864
This was not so much of a battle. The Union burned down cities and looted houses. This was called total warfare
Fall Of Richmond 1865
Richmond, Virginia was the capital of the South. When the Union took it that was basically it for the Confederacy.
Appomattox Court House 1865
This was the surrender of the Confederates to the Union. Robert E Lee and Jefferson Davis had to sign the surrender paper.