First Battle of Bull Run
When: July 21, 1861
Who: Irvin McDowell (Union) P.G.T. Beauregard (Confederacy) Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (Confederacy)
Where: Virginia
Why: Lincoln wanted Union forces to take the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA and end the war as soon as possible.
Outcome: - Union forces defeated by the Confederacy - Both sides disorganized and inexperienced - Union General McDowell replaced by Major General McClellan - Union army fled to Washington, D.C. - 4,878 casualties
Battle of Antietam
When: September 16-18, 1862
Who: George B. McClellan (Union) Robert E. Lee (Confederacy) Joseph Hooker (Union) Stonewall Jackson (Confederacy) Ambrose Burnside (Union)
Where: Sharpsburg, Maryland
Why: General McClellan needed to push Robert E. Lee’s Confederate forces out of the border state, Maryland, and give Lincoln a Union victory.
Outcome: - Bloodiest day in American military history - No clear winner, but Lincoln declared Union victory - Battle used as support for Emancipation Proclamation - 22,717 casualties
Siege of Vicksburg
When: May 18-July 4, 1863
Who: Ulysses S. Grant (Union) John C. Pemberton (Confederacy)
Where: Vicksburg, Mississippi
Why: The Union army wanted to take the Confederate town of Vicksburg for its strategic location above the Mississippi River.
Outcome: - Pemberton’s forces were weakened from previous battles - The Union took Vicksburg from the Confederacy - The city was under siege by the Union for 47 days - Decided fate of the Confederate army - 37,402 casualties
Battle of Gettysburg
When: July 1-3, 1863
Who: George G. Meade (Union) Robert E. Lee (Confederacy) John Buford (Union) A.P. Hill (Confederacy) Richard Ewell (Confederacy) George Pickett (Confederacy)
Where: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Why: Robert E. Lee was headed towards Pennsylvania to save Virginia from more damage, get supplies for his troops, and take a northern town. The Union forces needed to defend the north and continue to push back Confederate troops.
Outcome: - Multiple troops met on the battlefield - Battle known for its violence - Union troops managed to defeat the Confederate forces - Robert E. Lee’s army retreated to Virginia - 51,112 casualties
Sherman’s March to the Sea
When: November 15-December 21, 1864
Who: William T. Sherman (Union) John Bell Hood (Confederacy) William J. Hardee (Confederacy) Joseph Wheeler (Confederacy)
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Why: After the Union troops took the city of Atlanta, Georgia from the Confederates, General Sherman moved his army onward to the port of Savannah, Georgia to take the Confederate stronghold.
Outcome: - Destruction of railroads and crops in Georgia - Made use of “scorched earth” and “living off the land” policies - “40 acres and a mule” promise made to slaves that joined Union - Aided Lincoln in reelection for second term - Union forces met with Union navy on the coast