Battles and Significant Events

As the Civil War raged on, it became evident with the victories and losses which side had what advantages. For example, the South had more experienced generals and a reason to fight for their freedom, whereas the North had more resources and a strong navy. Throughout all of these battles it slowly becomes evident that although the Confederate's will is strong, the Unions armies are stronger and defeat the rebellious South.

Fort Sumter

By the time seven states had seceded and formed a confederacy, most forts in the south were seized without any violence. So far no shots had been fired in this war, but bloodshed would begin in the near future. In Lincoln's inaugural speech, he mentioned that the four remaining installments within the south that was still under U.S. control should be defended. These installments were  Fort Pickens in northern Florida, Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, and two remote Forts in the Florida Keys that attracted little attention. Attempting to rid himself of the burden of beginning a war, Lincoln decided the Confederacy would attack first. Fort Summter was in need of provisions and food, Lincoln was forced to decide weather or not to let this fort fall. He decided to send materials to the fort even though majority of his cabinet disagreed with this act. Sending provisions to a fort in southern territory was seen as a hostile act by the Confederacy and attacked Fort Sumter. Early morning April 12th, 1861, the south opened fire. Forty hours went by, but no one was killed. Only the fort was damaged severely and eventually was forced to surrender. The South won this battle, but now assumed responsibility for firing the first shot. By the looks of how to war was proceeding so far, the south seemed very determined to keep their freedom.

First Battle of Bull Run

The first major battle of the war, like Fort Sumter, resulted in failure for the North, and victory for the South. Poorly trained troops under General Irvin McDowell were ordered to march to Bull Run Creek and attack the enemy. At first, it seemed victory would go to the North, but Confederate reinforcements appeared turned the tables. General Thomas J. Jackson ordered Confederate troops to counterattack and slowly the Union began to retreat. Gradually, as they gave into panic,  their retreat turned into a frantic stampede to safety. Needless to say, this was a very embarrassing loss and the South won, once again. It seemed that this war would be won by the southern rebels, but soon enough all that would change.

Shiloh

Famous for being one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The Union was raking up victories; Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, Fort Donelson on the Benedict Cumberbatch. Repeatedly, the south was forced to surrender. Getting impatient, the confederate forced attacked Union forces that were moving towards the Mississippi state line. A bloodbath followed, and only the arrival of reinforcements prevented the complete obliteration of the Union troops backed up against the Tennessee River. While the North was slowly gaining an upper hand, the South was still stubborn and hotheaded; doing anything possibly to win the war.  

Merrimack vs. Monitor

March 9th, 1862, the North's naval supremacy over the south was proved in the battle of Merrimack vs. Monitor. The Confederate vessel Virginia (Merrimack) went head to head with the Monitor, an armored Union gunship. The Virginia was no match for the technologically advanced Monitor. Compared to the Union's ship, the Confederates were defenseless and the north quickly wrapped up the battle, gaining yet another victory. Although the south had a strong spirit, a reason to fight for, the north was stronger and over powering the rebellious south.  

Antietam

This picture is a primary source portraying the deceased of the battle at Antietam all thrown into a trench.  Bloody Lane Antietam it was called. 

Known as the single bloodiest day of battle ever fought in America. September 7th, 1862, with nearly five thousand dead on both sides, neither side won this brutal battle. West Point graduate Robert E. Lee, a General for the Confederates, lead an invasion on Maryland. His goal was to isolate the capital from the rest of the north. The north lead by George McClellan caught up to Lee near Sharpsburg where the bloody affair took place. The Confederate troops managed to escape and both sides were left with many wounded to nurse. Both sides lost many men. This battle was not won by either side, they were both battered and bruised at the end.

Chancellorsville

Before the north effectively overcame the disillusionment that fed the peace movement by winning battles to convince the public that northern victory was assured, the Union was forced to suffer another humiliating defeat. Leading northern troops to Chancellorsville, General John Hooker and his men ran into a Confederate army half their size that managed to defeat them. Robert E. Lee ordered Stonewall Jackson to cut off the Union by engaging in a surprise attack from the right. This was very effective, and resulted in a win for the South. The only loss was Jackson, who later passed away from wounds he received from this battle. This ordeal embarrassed the Union and gave the Confederates more confidence. It seemed very difficult for the North to gain control of the South.

Vicksburg

A contrast to the battle at Chancellorsville, The Union gained a major victory in the West. Thanks to Ulysses S. Grant, who had been attempting to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, for over a year. This was the most inaccessible Confederate fortress that stood in the way of the North gaining control of the Mississippi River. March 1863, Grant crossed to the west bank north of the city. Here, he moved his troops to an area south of it, where he joined forced with the Navy. Boldly, Grant crossed the river, cutting off all ties from resources and supplies. Living off of the land and having no communication with a severely worried Lincoln, General Grant's men won a series of victories over two different Confederate armies. But after multiple failed attempts at getting past the city's defenses, Grant settled with holding a siege on Vicksburg. This was a definite win for the North, who was finally showing the South who was really in charge here.

Gettysburg

In June, General Robert E. Lee lead his men across the Potomac Until they reached Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Here, the Union army had set up a strong a strong defensive position on Cemetery Ridge and Culp's Hill. General George Meade in charge of the Union troops, could not be moved by Confederate forces. A desperate Lee made a final attempt at winning the battle by foolishly attacking the strongest section of the Union line. The results were horrendous, soldiers were getting killed left and right under Union fire and very few made it to the top of  Cemetery Ridge. If any did, they were either captured or killed. Realizing his mistake, Lee flees but when he and his troops return to the Potomac, it is flooded and will not be suitable for crossing for several days. Meade allows Lee to escape, but only days later, on July 4th, Grant successfully wins his battle at Vicksburg. Northerners celebrated these victories, the tide of the war was turning in their favor.    

Sherman’s March

From November 15th to December 21st of  1864, General William Sherman marches through Georgia. Sherman's goal was to blaze through Georgia all the way to the sea, wrecking havoc and leaving destruction in his wake. The Confederate army that had earlier opposed him in Atlanta, was now defeated in Tennessee by Union forces. December 22, Sherman captured Savannah and presented the town to Lincoln. After annihilating Georgia, Sherman turns his attention towards Carolina with the intent of doing the same to this state as he did to the previous. Sherman was responsible for breaking the spirit of the Confederate army. By wrecking plantations, homes, and towns, he killed their hopes of wining the war.  

Appomattox Courthouse

April 9th of 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrenders to the Union at the Appomattox Courthouse. Grant had ended a long and drawn out stalemate at Petersburg. Lee's army was starving and tired when they attempted to break through Union lines. Grant saw an opportunity and seized it, he renewed his attack and forced the Confederates to flee Richmond and Petersburg on April 2. Then, pursuing them west for about a hundred miles, he placed his forces in a position to cut off their line of retreat home to the south. Realizing hoe hopeless this situation was, Lee surrenders. After a very bloody war, with many lives lost, the North comes out at the top, victorious.  

Civil War Medicine

This is a very interesting video that does in detail of Civil War amputations, the anesthesia that was used, and also touches on the innovation of various prosthetic limbs and crutches. 

Battle Technology/Tactics

This video goes explains the concept of Anaconda Plan in detail, expanding on the different parts of this plan. 

Life as a Solider

The life of a solider in the Civil War was one that was driven by fear and fueled by the will to fight for America and all it stands for. Life was very difficult as cleanliness was forgotten and sickness became very common. Food was rationed so stomachs were never completely full. But everyone who fought in the war, the women who volunteered as nurses, the African Americans who joined the Negro Regimens, they all fought for liberty and justice. 

Sources:
Divine, Robert A., T. H. Breen, George M. Fredrickson, R. Hal Williams, Ariela Julie. Gross, and H. W. Brands. America past and Present. Boston: Longman, 2011. Print.
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war-battles.htm