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First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run is considered the first major battle of the Civil War. 35,000 Union troops marched to meet 20,000 Confederate troops at a small river known as Bull Run. The Union actually ended up losing the battle because of a last-minute calvary charge lead by Confederate colonel Jeb Stuart. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was an attempt to cut off and defeat General Grant of the Union before he could get reinforcements. The Confederates were led by General Albert Sidney Johnston and the battle resulted in the death of him. This was important because he was one of the Confederacies's best generals. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run was another strategic victory for General Lee. Despite heavy casualties, he managed to take Bull Run and lay the groundwork for an invasion of Maryland. Lee had 9,000 casualties but defeated a force twice the size of his own. -
Battle of Antietam
On September 17, 1862, General Lee of the Confederacy attempted to invade Maryland and was met by General McCellan'd Union army. After 12 hours of fighting and 23,000 casualties the Confederacy retreated back to Virginia. The Union claimed victory in the battle but historians consider it a stalemate. This battle is considered to be one of the bloodiest days in American history. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville is considered General Lee's greatest tactical victory due to his victory over the much larger Union Army. Although the Confederacy won, the Union took a small victory in the battle because General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was killed. Out of the 130,000 Union troops, there were 17,000 casualties. -
Siege of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was a major victory for the Union. This battle was so important because it gave the Union control of the Missippi River. It also cut the Confederate Army in half. -
Battle of Gettsburg
General Lee tried to invade the North to bring an immediate end to the war, on July 1st, 1863. He was stopped by Union forces in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. This battle is considered the turning point in the war and has the most casualties. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga was the bloodiest battle in the Western Theatre and the second bloodiest in the war behind Gettysburg. The battle was a terrible loss for the Union Army but both sides had major losses. The Union had over 16,000 casualties and the Confederates had over 18,000 casualties. -
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness was the first battle in General Grant's "Overland Campain" against General Lee. The goal was to force Lee back into the Confederate capital and capture it and Lee. Though neither side takes the victory, the Union had significantly more casualties. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor was a terrible defeat for General Grant of the Union and General Lee's last major victory. Grant lost 1,844 soldiers while Lee only lost 83. Grant had believed that Lee was overstretched but the delay of the assault gave lee time to reinforce and resulted in a Union bloodbath.
