Famous Civil War Battles
By: Lily Elkin
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was where the first shots of the Battle took place. The Confederate shot the first shots; while the Union was at Fort Sumter. They took the shots on April 12, 1861. When South Carolina seceded from the Union, the Union moved to Fort Sumter. There was a total of 580 soldiers; so it was a pretty small battle. There were no casualties in this Battle. Major Robert Anderson of the Union side, generously surrendered the fort and got evacuated the next day. So the Confederate won this Battle.
Citation: Sonofthesouth.net,. 'The Battle Of Fort Sumter'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Antietam
This battle was known as the bloodiest single day in American military history. It was on September 17, 1862. The Major Union Army also known as the Army of Potomac was led by George McClellan. They were making power assaults against Robert E. Lee. There was a total of 131,000 soldiers with 45,000 on the Confederate side and 87,000 on the Union side. There was a total of 22,717 casualties. No one really won this war.
Citation: Agent, Free. 'The Dunker Church, Antietam / Sharpsburg. | American Civil War Forums'. Civilwartalk.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Vicksburg
This battle started in 1863 in the months of May and June. The Ulysses S. Grant armies met on Vicksburg to fight. There was a total of 110,000 soldiers with 77,000 on the Confederate side and 33,000 on the Union side. There was a total of about 37,402 casualties. The Union won this battle therefore, the Confederacy was split in half. This battle was know as one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered.
Citation: Agent, Free. 'The Dunker Church, Antietam / Sharpsburg. | American Civil War Forums'. Civilwartalk.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Gettysburg
This battle known as the bloodiest battles in History. It started on July 1 and ended on July 3. Only 3 days and it was that bloody. Robert E. Lee was waiting for the approach of the Union. When the Union approached, they were winning. Then, the next day the Union struck back and took the lead. There was a total of 165,620 soldiers with 71,699 on the Confederate and 93,921 on the Union. There was a total of about 51,112 casualties. The Union won this battle.
Citation: Gettysburg, Lee. 'Battle Of Gettysburg - American Civil War - HISTORY.Com'. HISTORY.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Sherman’s March to the Sea
Sherman’s March to the Sea started with the Battle of Atlanta. On the night of July 21, 1864, Hood ordered Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee's corps to make 15 mile march and attack the Union. That is also called Sherman’s march to the Sea. It was commanded by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson. There was a total of 75,301 soldiers with 40,438 on the Confederate side and 34,836 on the Union side. There was a total of about 9,222 casualties. The plan backfired on the Confederate and the Union won.
Citation: Encyclopedia Britannica,. 'March To The Sea | American Civil War'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Fort Fisher
This battle started January 13, 1865 and ended on January 15, 1865. On January 13, Union forces landed and got ready for an attack on Maj. Gen. Robert Hoke's infantry line. The attack happened in the late afternoon. There was a total of 11,532 soldiers with 1,900 on the Confederate side and 9,632 on the Union side. There was a total of about 1,924 casualties. The Union side won the battle.
Citation: Civilwar.org,. 'The Fall Of Fort Fisher'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Appomattox Court House
This battle started on April 8th when Lee arrived at the Appomattox Court House. There was a total of 89,285 soldiers with 26,000 on the Confederate side and 63,285 on the Union side. There was a total of about 700 casualties. The Confederates got cut off and surrounded by Union troops near Appomattox Court House. That was the Last battle of the Civil War; so Lee surrendered at the Mclean’s house of April 9. The Union won the war.
Citation: Legendsofamerica.com,. 'General George Crook - Fighter And Friend To The Indians'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.