Civil War Events
Anasia Cyrus
The First Battle of Bull Run
Union troops gathered around Washington D.C. in hope of seizing Manassas, VA, which was a vital railroad, but the Confederate troops aligned the creek waiting for Union forces at Bull Run. This was the first large battle of the war. The Confederate forces defeated the Union.
The Battle of Antietam
General Lee, commander of the Northern Virginia Army, moved to strike Union territory in Maryland. A Confederate messenger dropped a copy of the battle plans, which was found by a Union soldier. The Union then learned that Lee's forces were divided, so General Grant attacked. Antietam (Sharpsburg) was a day long battle on September 17, 1862 at Antietam Creek in Maryland. The battle ended in a draw.
The Battle of Gettysburg
Almost accidentally, Confederate troops discovered Union calvary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Confederates attacked, paving the way for the largest battle of the war, lasting three days. The Union Army won the Battle of Gettysburg, destroying Lee's hopes of carrying the fighting further up North.
Fall of Atlanta
General Sherman took command of the Union Army during the Fall of Atlanta. Sherman led troops through Georgia, seizing and burning Atlanta, a vital city and railroad junction, on September 2, 1864.
Surrender at Appomattox
Sherman continued his burning through North Carolina with hopes of reaching Virginia. But, General Lee attempted to halt the Union Army and break through Grant's lines in Petersburg, VA. The Union seized Petersburg on April 2, 1865 and then Richmond on the next day. Union forces cut Lee off from leading his remaining army to North Carolina. On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered to Grant waving the white flag atop a hill overlooking the Appomattox River in Virginia. General Grant later accepted General Lee's surrender in the Appomattox Court House.
Citations
"1861-1865." The Civil War. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014. <http://www.clemson.edu/agcom/dale/aged480/jennifer/keybat.htm>.