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 - 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) (Union) (Confederacy) (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) (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) (Confederacy) William J. Hardee (Confederacy) (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 on the coast