Major Battles of the Civil War

BATTLE: First Bull Run (First Manassas)

State: Virginia Date(s): July 21, 1861

Southern Leader: Beauregard Northern Leader: McDowell Winner: South

Many people came from Washington, DC to watch this battle. Confederates were losing until reinforcements arrived. Union troops panicked and retreated toward Washington, DC, along with the sightseers who clogged the roads. Confederates were too weary and disorganized to follow. It was at this battle that southern General Thomas Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall Jackson ” because he and his troops refused to retreat even under heavy fire.

Results of this battle:

1. Both sides adopted new uniforms . (Confederate: gray ; Union: blue )

2. The Confederacy adopted a new and easily distinguishable flag.

3. Both sides realized that the war would not soon be over.

BATTLE: Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing) State: Tennessee Date(s): April 6-7, 1862

Southern Leader: Beauregard Northern Leader: Grant Winner: North

In this battle, 80% of the troops were kids who had never heard a gun fired in anger. Many did not even know how to work rifles . One general told his troops, “It’s just like shooting squirrels , except these squirrels have guns.”

After two days of fighting, the Confederates retreated. The victory was costly, however, The Union lost 13,000 , and the Confederates lost 10,000 . This battle earned the name, “ Bloody Shiloh .”

BATTLE: Antietam (Sharpsburg) State: Maryland Date(s): September 17, 1862

Southern Leader: Lee Northern Leader: McClellan

Winner: *claimed by Lincoln for North

Lee had good reasons for invading the North. He hoped to bring Maryland into the Confederacy and from there attack Washington, DC , Philadelphia , and the rich farmland that would give his army supplies of food. He brought 50,000 dirty, ragged, and hungry troops into Maryland.

It was doomed from the beginning. The people of the state did not welcome troops as

heroes but as invaders . Another blow happened when a Union private found an envelope containing Lee’s plans .

Because more than 24,000 men had been killed or wounded in the fighting, the battle of Antietam has been called the “ the bloodiest single day of the war .”

Even though both sides just stopped fighting , Lincoln claimed this battle as a victory for the North. He used it as an opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation , which freed slaves only in the seceding states .

10 Major Battles Notes, pg. 1