The Major Battles of the Civil War

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Battle of Fort Sumter

• Located near Charleston, South Carolina

• Confederate leaders tell Union troops to leave the fort.

• Confederate troops bombard Fort Sumter for 36 hours before it was surrendered.

• Lincoln is outraged and declares the South in rebellion.

• This officially begins the Civil War.

• Remaining Southern states must choose sides.

• Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas secede.

• Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia stay in the Union.

The Battle of Bull Run

The Battle of Bull Run-1861

The First major battle of the Civil WarCivilians gathered for picnics to watch the battle as if it were a basketball game.The Confederacy (South) destroyed the Union ( North) at this battle, due to the great leadership of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.It proved to both sides that the war would be long and difficult.

The Merrimac vs. The Monitor

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The Merrimac vs. The Monitor- 1862

The Merrimac, covered in iron, threatened the wooden ships of the Union that blockaded the South.

In March 1862, The Merrimac and Monitor met in the battle of the iron-clads.

The two ships fought to a draw. The ships proved that iron-clad ships were

superior to wooden ships. The iron ships represented advancements in

technology.

The Battle of Vicksburg

The Battle of Vicksburg- 1863

The Union army led by General Ulysses S. Grant attacked Vicksburg for six weeks.

The Confederates were so desperate for food they were eating horses and mules.

On July 4, 1863 the Confederates surrendered Vicksburg to the Union.

This gave the Union total control of the Mississippi River

The Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg- 1863

This was fought over July 4th weekend in 1863.On the last day of the battle Confederate George Pickett leads “Picket’s Charge”, which was one last attempt by the South to win the battle.The Union defeated the Confederacy. General Robert E. Lee lost a third of his army at Gettysburg.This was the turning point in the Civil War.After the battle Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address, which became one of his most famous speeches.

Appomattox Courthouse-1865

Appomattox Courthouse-1865

• Not a battle• General Lee officially surrenders to

General Grant• The Union won the Civil War• The Union was preserved