Civil War Through the Years
Information From: www.history.com & www.civilwar.org
Fort Sumter
On April 11, 1861 an explosive battle starts off a war with a bang. Maj. Robert Anderson are positioned at Fort Sumter until Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard sends in aides to demand the surrender of Fort Sumter. Anderson objects. At 4:30 a.m., Charleston Harbor blazes with gunfire as confederate forts fire on Fort Sumter. 34 hours of nonstop rounds flying in one direction and the other! The battle lasts until April 13 when Anderson and his men surrender the fort. Miraculously, there were no casualties, deaths, or missing persons!
Picture Source: www.civilwar.org
Anteitam
Onslaughts towards Gen. Lee’s army were conducted by George McClellan took place on September 17, 1862. Taking place in the morning at West Woods, the battle followed ferocious Confederate counter strikes. Although the confederate attacks were powerful, Union troops were able to weave through after the Confederate counter attacks. This gives Lincoln a victory to further proceed with the Emancipation Proclamation.
Picture Source: www.history.com
Vicksburg
Union troops land in Bruinsburg, Mississippi. Their mission; move inland and take Vicksburg. 77,000 Union troops against 33,000 Confederate troops. Unions take Champion Hill and Big Black Bridge which resulted in the weakening of Confederate armed forces. Ulysses’ army attacks the city and Pemberton’s army surrenders on July 4, 1863.
Picture Source: www.sonofthesouth.net
Gettysburg
On July 1, 1863 the two great armies clashed in what just might be the bloodiest battle of all American history. 30,000 Rebels against 20,000 Union troops. The Northerners were pushed back to Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill. On the following day, Union soldiers hold down the fort at a set of hills with 90,000 troops to defend it. Both sides move back to Culp’s Hill where the battle subsided. Overall approximately 51,000 soldiers where killed from attacks or casualties. Not to mention that this all happened over a three day time span.
Picture Source: www.history.co.uk
Sherman's March to the Sea
While he and his army marched towards Savannah, Gen. Sherman leaves behind a 285 long path of mass destruction. He devastated towns, burned down homes, and took anything he thought might come to use. After Atlanta fell under his reign of terror, confederates moved back to Tennessee and Alabama. Gen. Sherman leads his 62,000 men from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. His other 60,000 went after the rebels in the nearby states. They then proceeded to burn through Charleston, South Carolina on December 21 1864. This tactic of what can only be described as ‘terrorism’ was proven affective when the Confederate troops surrendered in April of 1864.
Picture Source: gilesclassrom.pbworks.com
Fort Fisher
While he and his army marched towards Savannah, Gen. Sherman leaves behind a 285 long path of mass destruction. He devastated towns, burned down homes, and took anything he thought might come to use. After Atlanta fell under his reign of terror, confederates moved back to Tennessee and Alabama. Gen. Sherman leads his 62,000 men from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. His other 60,000 went after the rebels in the nearby states. They then proceeded to burn through Charleston, South Carolina on December 21 1864. This tactic of what can only be described as ‘terrorism’ was proven affective when the Confederate troops surrendered in April of 1864.
Picture Source: www.civilwar.org
Appomattox Court House
9,000 men under the rule of Gordon and Fitzhugh Lee set out to the western part of Appomattox. Following their venture were the attacks that took place before 8:00 a.m. led by North Carolinian; General Brian Grimes. His attack was successful, outnumbering Union cavalry. Northerners were forced to fall back. Reinforcing Union infantry arrived later from west and south horizons. This counter attack led General Lee to move back across the Appomattox river where they lead small waves of resistance. This became ineffective and Lee surrendered.
Confederate troops submitted to defeat.
Picture Source: www.history.com