American Civil War
The bloodiest conflict in American history, the Civil War pitted brother against brother. Use these resources to better understand how this conflict tore the nation apart and how both sides struggled to achieve victory.
American Civil War: Battle of Glorieta Pass
The Battle of Glorieta Pass was fought in New Mexico on March 26-28, 1862. Encountering each other in the vicinity of Glorieta Pass, small Union and Confederate armies clashed with the former winning a strategic victory. The Union win at Glorieta Pass ended Confederate incursions into the Southwest.
The Battle of Glorieta Pass was fought in New Mexico on March 26-28, 1862. Encountering each other in the vicinity of Glorieta Pass, small Union and Confederate armies clashed with the former winning a strategic victory. The Union win at Glorieta Pass ended Confederate incursions into the Southwest.
American Civil War: Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines was fought May 31, 1862, in the outskirts of Richmond. Advancing up the Peninsula, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan was poised to assault Richmond when he was attacked by Gen. Joseph Johnston's Confederate forces. Though it was inconclusive, the Battle of Seven Pines resulted in Johnston being wounded and Gen. Robert E. Lee rising to command.
The Battle of Seven Pines was fought May 31, 1862, in the outskirts of Richmond. Advancing up the Peninsula, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan was poised to assault Richmond when he was attacked by Gen. Joseph Johnston's Confederate forces. Though it was inconclusive, the Battle of Seven Pines resulted in Johnston being wounded and Gen. Robert E. Lee rising to command.
American Civil War: Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was largely fought on December 13, 1862, and was a clear victory for Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Attacking the heights west of the town, Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's Army of the Potomac was repulsed with heavy casualties. The defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg led to Burnside's removal from command.
The Battle of Fredericksburg was largely fought on December 13, 1862, and was a clear victory for Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Attacking the heights west of the town, Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's Army of the Potomac was repulsed with heavy casualties. The defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg led to Burnside's removal from command.
American Civil War: Gettysburg - Union State-by-State
During the Battle of Gettysburg the Army of the Potomac consisted of troops from eighteen states as well as the regular US Army. While Pennsylvania and New York contributed the most, troops from as far west as Minnesota took part in the fighting. During the Battle of Gettysburg this force suffered 23,055 casualties.
During the Battle of Gettysburg the Army of the Potomac consisted of troops from eighteen states as well as the regular US Army. While Pennsylvania and New York contributed the most, troops from as far west as Minnesota took part in the fighting. During the Battle of Gettysburg this force suffered 23,055 casualties.
American Civil War: Gettysburg - Confederate State-by-State
During the Battle of Gettysburg the Army of Northern Virginia consisted of troops from twelve states. While Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina contributed the most, troops from as far west as Texas took part in the fighting. During the Battle of Gettysburg this force suffered 23,231 casualties.
During the Battle of Gettysburg the Army of Northern Virginia consisted of troops from twelve states. While Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina contributed the most, troops from as far west as Texas took part in the fighting. During the Battle of Gettysburg this force suffered 23,231 casualties.
American Civil War: Battle of Chattanooga
The Battle of Chattanooga was fought between November 23-25, 1863, and consisted of two major actions. First Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Union troops cleared the Confederates from Lookout Mountain to the south of Chattanooga. They then drove Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of the Tennessee off of Missionary Ridge, putting them to rout in the process.
The Battle of Chattanooga was fought between November 23-25, 1863, and consisted of two major actions. First Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Union troops cleared the Confederates from Lookout Mountain to the south of Chattanooga. They then drove Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of the Tennessee off of Missionary Ridge, putting them to rout in the process.
American Civil War: Battle of New Market
Part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864, the Battle of New Market saw a small Confederate army under Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge defeat a Union force led by Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel. The Battle of New Market is best remembered for the role played by the Virginia Military Institute's corps of cadets in achieving the victory.
Part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864, the Battle of New Market saw a small Confederate army under Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge defeat a Union force led by Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel. The Battle of New Market is best remembered for the role played by the Virginia Military Institute's corps of cadets in achieving the victory.
American Civil War: Second Battle of Kernstown
Fought on July 24, 1864, the Second Battle of Kernstown saw Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early take advantage of Union troop withdrawals in the Shenandoah. Luring the Union Army of the Kanawha into battle near Kernstown, Early was able to drive it from the field. The defeat at the Second Battle of Kernstown led to Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan being sent to the Valley with reinforcements.
Fought on July 24, 1864, the Second Battle of Kernstown saw Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early take advantage of Union troop withdrawals in the Shenandoah. Luring the Union Army of the Kanawha into battle near Kernstown, Early was able to drive it from the field. The defeat at the Second Battle of Kernstown led to Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan being sent to the Valley with reinforcements.
American Civil War: Battle of the Crater
The Battle of the Crater was the result of Union efforts to win the Siege of Petersburg. Beginning in June 1864, Union forces began tunneling under the Confederate lines. Filling the mine with explosives, they detonated them on July 30 opening the battle. Attacking through the crater formed by the explosion, Union forces were defeated and driven back to their lines.
The Battle of the Crater was the result of Union efforts to win the Siege of Petersburg. Beginning in June 1864, Union forces began tunneling under the Confederate lines. Filling the mine with explosives, they detonated them on July 30 opening the battle. Attacking through the crater formed by the explosion, Union forces were defeated and driven back to their lines.
American Civil War: Battle of Five Forks
The Battle of Five Forks occurred on April 1, 1865, and was one of the final battles of the war in the East. Moving west to further pressure Gen. Robert E. Lee's lines at Petersburg, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan encountered a Conderate force at Five Forks. In the battle that followed, Sheridan routed the Confederates ultimately forcing them to abandon Petersburg and Richmond.
The Battle of Five Forks occurred on April 1, 1865, and was one of the final battles of the war in the East. Moving west to further pressure Gen. Robert E. Lee's lines at Petersburg, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan encountered a Conderate force at Five Forks. In the battle that followed, Sheridan routed the Confederates ultimately forcing them to abandon Petersburg and Richmond.
American Civil War: Andersonville Prison
Andersonville Prison was the most notorious prisoner of war camp of the Civil War. Constructed in southern Georgia, the 26.5 acre, open stockade received over 45,000 prisoners during its year of operation. Plagued by disease and starvation, 12,913 Union prisoners died at Andersonville.
Andersonville Prison was the most notorious prisoner of war camp of the Civil War. Constructed in southern Georgia, the 26.5 acre, open stockade received over 45,000 prisoners during its year of operation. Plagued by disease and starvation, 12,913 Union prisoners died at Andersonville.
Photo Tour: Escape Route of John Wilkes Booth
After shooting President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth fled Washington, DC. Heading south, Booth and his accomplice David Herold moved through several safe houses before crossing the Potomac River into Virginia. Pursued by Union forces, Booth was finally cornered and killed at the Garrett Farm near Bowling Green, VA on April 26.
After shooting President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth fled Washington, DC. Heading south, Booth and his accomplice David Herold moved through several safe houses before crossing the Potomac River into Virginia. Pursued by Union forces, Booth was finally cornered and killed at the Garrett Farm near Bowling Green, VA on April 26.
The Peninsula Campaign
This site provides a wealth of resources for better understanding Major General George B. McClellan's 1862 Peninsula Campaign against Richmond.
This site provides a wealth of resources for better understanding Major General George B. McClellan's 1862 Peninsula Campaign against Richmond.
Battle of Chancellorsville
From the National Park Service, this site provides a detailed account of the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 1-4, 1863.
From the National Park Service, this site provides a detailed account of the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 1-4, 1863.