Civil War Battlefield
By: Nicholas Smith
Fort Sumter
On April 12, 1861 General P.G.T. Beauregard, in command of the Confederate forces opened fire on the Union at Fort Sumter. At 2:30pm on April 13 Major Robert Anderson Garrison commander of the Union forces surrendered the fort and was evacuated the next day.
Civilwar.org,. 'Civil War Battlefields - Learn About The American Civil War | Civil War Preservation Trust'. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Antietam
On September 16, 1862, Major General George B. McClellan and his Union Army confronted Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia at Sharpsburg Maryland. At dawn on September 17, Major General Joseph Hooker’s Union corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee’s left flank that began the Battle of Antietam, and the single bloodiest day in American military history.
Civilwar.org,. 'Civil War Trust: Saving America's Civil War Battlefields'. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Vicksburg
Ulysses S. Grant’s armies converged on Vicksburg investing the city and entrapping a Confederate army under Lt. Gen. John Pemberton. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. This was probably one of the most best planned wars ever.
Navsource.org,. 'Navsource Naval History - Photo Archive Main Index'. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Gettysburg
Robert E. Lee waited on the approach of Union General George G. Meade’s forces. On July 1, early Union success faded awat as Confederates pushed back against the Iron Brigade and exploited a weak Federal line at Barlow’s Knoll. On the same day General Lee striked the Union flanks leading to heavy battle at Devil's Den, Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Culp’s Hill and East Cemetery Hill.
HISTORY.com,. 'History.Com — History Made Every Day — American & World History'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Shermans’s March To The Sea
On July 21 Sherman’s three armies were still more or less separated. But the army still marched from Atlanta to Savannah. They were ordered to burn down the Confederates crops, destroy their camps, and do anything to weaken them in battle. This was devastating for the Confederates and it really crippled them.
Sonofthesouth.net,. 'The Civil War'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Fort Fisher
After the failure of his December expedition against Fort Fisher, Major General Benjamin Butler was relieved of command and Major General Alfred Terry was placed in command of a the provisional corps including Paine's Division of U.S. Colored Troops and supported by a naval force of nearly 60 vessels, to renew operations against the fort.
Encyclopedia Britannica,. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Appomattox Court House
General Ulysses S. Grant’s goal of cutting off and destroying Lee’s army had been fulfilled. Lee ordered his troops to retreat through the village and back across the Appomattox River. Flags of truce were sent out from the Confederate lines between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Rather than destroy his army and sacrifice the lives of his soldiers, Lee decided to surrender.
Americancivilwar.com,. 'American Civil War History Timelines Battle Map Pictures'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.