Civil War Battles
Which battles were most significant?
Battle of Antietam
The battle of Antietam took place September 17, 1862 in Maryland. This battle is known as one of the bloodiest battles there have been. George McClellan's Army sent an attack on Robert E. Lee's Army. There were around 2300 causalities and was one of the major battles to take place on Union soil.
First Battle at Bull Run
Also known as First Manassas took place on July 21, 1861 in Virginia. It was supposed to be one of the shortest battles and turned out to be a very long one. People even came out and set up picnics to watch it, after 10 hours of battling the Union retreated. The Union had 460 men killed and the Confederacy had 387 killed.
Second Battle at Bull Rock
The second battle took place 1862. Round two! Confederate General struck first hitting the Union's supply base. The Union attacked on August 29 and Union claimed victory, that was until on the 30th Confederates attacked again winning, and sending the Union back to Washington once again. This lost Major General John Pope his reputation.
Fort Sumter
Battle took place April 12, 1861 in Charleston. Lincoln was in the house at this time and said they would not fight until the South fired first and so this is how it began. It was exactly at the entrance of the harbor and although it was not sacred territory, it was not of military importance, but to the North and South it did stand as a symbol. Confederates fired on Sumter. After a 33-hour of fighting Major Robert Anderson's garrison surrendered , using its last ammunition to fire a 50-round salute to the tattered American flag.
Battle of Shiloh
April 6-7 1862 in Tennessee this battle began. Also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing . Over 23,500 men were killed/missing. Union forces moved up the Tennessee River and made camp there. Confederate knowing the Union was there decided to strike first. On April 6, he and P.G.T. Beauregard led a surprise attack on Grant's men in the woods.