The Major Battles Of The Civil War

Table Of Contents:

Pages 4-5: Battle Of Fort Sumter

Pages 6-7:Battle Of Shiloh

Pages 8-9: Battle of Bull Run

Pages 10-11: Battle Of Antietam

Pages 12-13: Battle Of Gettysburg

Pages 14-15: Battle Of Vicksburg

The Battle Of Fort Sumter

It was still dark on April 12, 1861, at 4:30 in the morning, when the Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter. Union troops were unprepared. They had to leave the fort. The harbor fort itself was not that important, but it was a symbol to both sides. This signaled the beginning of the American Civil War.

Battle of Shiloh

The Battle of Shiloh was fought between the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. It was fought over two days from April 6 to April 7 in 1862. It took place in southwestern Tennessee and it was the first major battle to take place in the western theater of war. 

Battle of Bull Run

July 21, 1861

This was the first major battle. Many people did not believe the war would continue beyond this battle. People brought picnic baskets and sat on the hillside, in preparation to enjoy two groups of men, in clean uniforms, lined up, wasting ammunition. After 10 hours of fighting, 900 men were dead or dying. The Union troops retreated.

Union Confederate

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Antietam

September 17, 1862

This was the first major battle fought in the North. It was fought near Sharps burg, Maryland on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam is known as the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. There were over 23,000 casualties and 4600 deaths. The Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee, was vastly outnumbered, but still managed to harass and fight off the more conservative Union Army, led by General George B. McClellan. Eventually, though, the Union Amy was able to push back Lee's army and cause them to retreat from Northern soil.