Fort Sumter

In December of 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union. And at Fort Sumter Confederate forces requested that the Union garrison there surrender and leave. However they refused. Therefore, on April 12th 1861 they were fired upon. The bombardment lasted 34 hours and the Union eventually surrendered. Thus starting the war.

Though no one died died

during the battle, it was

still a huge event that

showed the CSA would

fight for their beliefs.

Anaconda Plan

The Anaconda Plan was a Union strategy at the beginning of the Civil War to completely cut off the South from it self and the rest of the world. Here, the Union would blockade all Southern ports thus destroying their outside supply. Also, they would control the whole Mississippi River to effectively cut the Southern states in half. Lincoln was hesitant to use this plan however

some losses for the Union

he made it the main goal

for the Union Military.

First Battle of the Bull Run

On July 21, 1861 a Union force of about 35,000 troops attacked a Confederate force of about 20,000 men. This was the first major battle of the war. Federal forces started the battle off strong, pushing back rebel troops more and more. However, soon rebel forces rallied and broke the Union right flank, thus sending them into rout and full retreat. Confederate

War in the West

In February of 1862 Union General Grant led a campaign to capture the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Thus giving the Union a direct route into the South. Soon everything that Grant was chasing was almost accomplished. And on April 6, 1862 the Confederates launched an attack on Grants forces. This battle, The Battle of Shiloh, became the bloodiest day of the war with over 20,000 casualties.

The War in the East

In the East General Lee for the CSA was making great progress. He forced Union troops almost all the way back to Washington D.C. And then on September 17, 1862 Lee's forces met Union forces at The Battle of Antietam, there the Union forces caused enough casualties on the Rebels that the CSA troops were forced to retreat. Thus, breaking any ties for support from Britain for the Confederates.