War on Land and at Sea

The Battles of The Civil War

When Abraham Lincoln denounced secession during his Inaugural Address and vowed to hold all federal property in the South, everyone knew he was referring to Fort Sumter, South Carolina.  

Fort Sumter, sitting at the entrance to Charleston Harbor, remained in the hands of the federal government.  

For the people of South Carolina, the first state to secede, seizing the brick fortress was necessary to show they were serious.  For Lincoln, defending the fort was necessary to show he was equally resolved.

Fort Sumter, South CarolinaApril 12, 1861

On April 11, 1862, General P.T.G. Beauregard demanded that Fort Sumter be surrendered immediately.  

When Union Major Robert Anderson refused, the Southern canon opened fire.  

For 34 hours, the Southern artillery blasted away.  The federal troops returned the fire.  Yet incredibly no one was killed—America’s most deadly war began with a bloodless battle. 

On April 13, Anderson surrendered the fort.  The Confederates had removed the most visible remaining sign of federal authority.  

Who Won? Confederates

Fort Sumter, South Carolina (con’t)

http://www.history.com/photos/civil-war-fort-sumter

1st Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)

July 21, 1861

Confederate forces, led by Gen. Stonewall Jackson, get the upper hand

Union troops, led by Gen. Irwin McDowell, panicked and ran.

The commanders on both sides learned that their armies were yet not ready for the major battles that lay ahead.

All hope of a quick war vanishes, and this battle creates a myth of the invincible South

Who Won? Confederates

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/first-battle-of-bull-run

In the West, the major Union goal was to control the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

With control of the river, Union ships could prevent Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas from supplying the eastern Confederacy.

General Ulysses S. Grant led his army into Tennessee and continued to advance.  On February 6, General Grant captured Fort Henry, a critical Confederate post on the Tennessee River; ten days later he took Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. 

Who Won? Union

Battle for the Mississippi RiverFebruary 1862

After the Battles for the Mississippi River, the Confederates decided to strike at Union forces before the Union had a chance to replenish their troops.

Confederate forces attacked near Shiloh, resulting in thousands of casualties between both armies in two days of fighting. 

The Union won the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, even though they suffered more losses than the Confederates.

Who Won? Union

The Battle of Shiloh, TNEarly April 1862

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/the-battle-of-shiloh

A few weeks after Shiloh, the Union forces captures New Orleans, Louisiana – the largest city in the South.

The capture of New Orleans meant that the Confederacy could no longer use the Mississippi River to carry its goods to the sea.Who Won? Union

Capture of New OrleansApril 25, 1862

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/union-captures-new-orleans

Throughout the war the South suffered under the blockade set up by Union ships.

One of the ships seized by the Confederates at Norfolk was a steam frigate named the Merrimac. They would build an ironclad out of the Merrimac.  They constructed a fortress-like gun house on top of the reinforced deck, sided it with two-foot pine walls, and covered them with two-inch iron plates.

The Northern ironclad employed a different design—it was essentially an iron-covered gun turret sitting on a long raft.   Once Northern intelligence reported that the South’s ironclad was ready, the North’s answer—the USS Monitor—set off for Virginia.

 THE MONITOR AND THE MERRIMAC

The battle between the two ironclads raged for more than five hours.

The heavy guns mounted on both ships, which had proven so deadly against wooden ships, could not penetrate the iron sheathing protecting the ironclads.  

In the end, both chose to withdraw—and both chose to avoid a rematch.

Battle of the Ironclads:

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-hampton-roads

The Seven Days Battle or Seven Days Campaign took place from June 25 to July 1, 1862 and featured six different battles along the Virginia Peninsula east of Richmond.

The Seven Days Battles, a series of six major battles, began with the Battle of Oak Grove and ended with the Battle of Malvern Hill. Both sides suffered major casualties (Confederate: 20,000; Union: 16,000). McClellan blamed leadership in Washington for losses: “You have done your best to sacrifice this army.”

Who Won? Varied by battle

7 DAYS BATTLE IN THE CIVIL WARJun 26, 1862 - Jul 2, 1862

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/seven-days-battles/

Lee wanted to move into Union territory and tried to invade Maryland.

Lee tried to divide his troops into four parts – but unfortunately his army was destroyed.

A Confederate officer lost his copy of the orders describing this action, and these orders were found by the Union army and given to General George B. McClellan.

Who Won? Confederates

Single bloodiest day in the whole Civil War (23,000 Casualties)

Battle of AntietamSept 16-18, 1862

http://www.history.com/topics/aztecs/videos/the-battle-of-antietam

Chancellorsville, VAMay 1, 1863Union was trying to move

towards the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA.

The Confederate Army severely defeated the Union and stop the advance on Richmond.

One of the South’s best generals, “Stonewall” Jackson was shot by his own men on accident.

Who Won? Confederates

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/battle-at-chancellorsville

Gettysburg, PAJuly 1-3, 1863Confederate forces invaded

PA in it’s attempt to gain control of Union territory.

The battle raged for 3 days with thousands dying of disease and malnutrition.

The Union won, inflicting heavy losses on the Confederates.

The bloodiest battle of the entire war. (over 50,000 casualties)

The last time the South tried to invade the North.

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/the-battle-of-gettysburg

Vicksburg (Last city on Mississippi River)May 18 - July 4, 1863

In May and June of 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s armies converged on Vicksburg and trapped a Confederate army under Lt. Gen. John Pemberton.

On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. With the loss of Pemberton’s army and this vital stronghold on the Mississippi, the Confederacy was effectively split in half – from the West.

Who Won? Union

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/vicksburg-campaign

Atlanta, GAJuly 22, 1864 Union Gen. Sherman marched

through the south burning anything his army came across.

In July, his march ended in Atlanta, GA as the Union defeated one of the last major cities in the South.

Sherman’s soldiers terrorized the city, destroyed local businesses and there were reports of rape by local citizens.

This victory for the Union helped Lincoln get re-elected in 1864.

Who Won? Union

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/shermans-terrifying-tactics

Appomattox, VAApril 9, 1865 Union and Confederate forces

met for the final time at Appomattox Courthouse in VA.

There was not a lot of fighting, but by the end the Confederate Army was defeated.

Gen. Lee (South) met Gen. Grant (North) in a farmhouse to decide on the surrender terms.

Gen. Lee officially surrendered to Grant and the war was over.

Gen. Grant asked that all Confederate soldiers be allowed to return to their homes without violence.

War was over..the Union won.

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/vicksburg-campaign/videos