Transcript Important Battles of the Civil War







Although the North has more supplies and more men
the South has better leaders and only has to fight a
defensive war.
South wins many early key battles. War does not go
well for the North. Not many good leaders for the
North.
Majority of battles fought in the South (many in
Virginia).
Eventually the North gets more aggressive generals
and the South begins to run out of supplies and
manpower (the North seems to have unlimited
supplies).
North wins many key victories (capture the
Mississippi, cut the Confederacy in half, take the
Confederate capital).
The South surrenders!



North- mainly named battles after the closest
body of water or a prominent natural feature
on or near the battlefield.
South- mainly named battles after the nearest
town or man-made landmark.
Most battles, then, actually have two names.
One which comes from the Northerners and
one from the Southerners.



South secedes.
Lincoln wants to re-supply the Fort (which is in
South Carolina).
South orders the Fort to be captured



Bombard it for 2 days
Union troops forced to surrender
Importance? Started the Civil War!
•
•
•
•
•
•
1st major land battle of the Civil War
Fought in Virginia
Union winning until confederate reinforcements
arrive
Confederates win
Importance? Shows the country the war will not be
quick or easy as many imagined. Also showed the
reality of warfare (not romantic)
Interesting Fact: Spectators came to watch the
battle and picnic. Many were killed when the
Union retreated!
•
•
•
•
Fort Guarding the Tennessee and Cumberland
Rivers
Union wants control of the Rivers (can attack
Confederate states)
Union wins
Importance: First major Union victory. Ulysses
S. Grant becomes an important Union leader.
Ensures Kentucky will stay with the Union.
Opens up Tennessee and other Southern states
to invasion.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Naval Battle
Ironclads- Ships coated with Iron (first time
they were used)
Confederates want to break blockades of their
ports
South: Merrimack (Virginia) vs. North: Monitor
Draw
Importance: Changes naval warfare. Blockade
upheld.

Confederates decide to invade the North
(Maryland)




Want to gain British support
Single bloodiest day in U.S. history
23,000 people dead, wounded, or missing
Importance: Union stopped the Confederates
from invading the North. Lincoln issues the
Emancipation Proclamation.



Union tries to attack the Confederates in
Chancellorsville, Virginia.
The Confederates outmaneuver them and win.
Importance: South loses 13,000 men and they
lose one of their best generals, Thomas
“Stonewall” Jackson.




North wants control of the Mississippi river
(cut the Confederacy in half)
Vicksburg is the last Southern stronghold on
the Mississippi
North wins
Importance: North now controls the
Mississippi

South tries to invade North for a second time.





End the War (make the North tired of fighting)
Gain support from Europe
Gettysburg, PA
North Win
Importance: Turns the tide of the War in favor
of the North. Last time Confederates will ever
invade the North.



Union wants to take Atlanta (key Confederate
city. Railways and supplies).
North wins
Importance: Captured a key city (war was
almost over). Helped Lincoln gain reelection.
•
•
•
Union general William Sherman leads troops
across Georgia to the sea.
Want to destroy South’s ability to wage war
and feed their army.
Path cut 60 miles wide of destruction
–
•
100 million in property destroyed or captured, slaves
freed, destroyed railroad lines, burned farms.
Importance: Union takes control of Savannah,
Georgia. Union destroys ability of South to
feed and supply armies and population. Total
warfare.



Union wants to take Petersburg, Virginia
(important communication center and it was
near Richmond, VA-the capital of the
Confederacy)
North Wins
Importance: North forces General Lee to
abandon the city and leave Richmond open for
capture.





Lee (southern general) trying to link up with
other Southern armies.
Halted at Appomattox Court House, VA
Lee realizes there is no hope (low on ammo, no
food, low on soldiers)
Importance: Lee surrenders. The War ends
shortly after!
The official surrender of the Confederacy came
about a month later.