Civil War in the East
Here we look at the campaigns and battles of the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.
Antebellum: John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown, a radical abolitionist attacked the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA on October 16, 1859. Hoping to incite and arm a massive slave revolt, Brown and his men entered the arsenal but were soon trapped. After a brief standoff, US Marines stormed Brown's position and captured him and his men.
John Brown, a radical abolitionist attacked the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA on October 16, 1859. Hoping to incite and arm a massive slave revolt, Brown and his men entered the arsenal but were soon trapped. After a brief standoff, US Marines stormed Brown's position and captured him and his men.
American Civil War: Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was fought April 12-14, 1861, and marked the opening of the American Civil War. After preventing several relief attempts, Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter at 4:30 AM on April 12. After a 34-hour bombardment, the garrison agreed to surrender.
The Battle of Fort Sumter was fought April 12-14, 1861, and marked the opening of the American Civil War. After preventing several relief attempts, Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter at 4:30 AM on April 12. After a 34-hour bombardment, the garrison agreed to surrender.
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: Second Battle of Manassas
The Second Battle of Manassas was fought August 28-30, 1862, on much of the same field as the previous battle the year before. Moving to attack Maj. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's corps near Manassas Junction, Maj. Gen. John Pope opened a major battle. On August 30, Pope was routed by a massive flank attack by Maj. Gen. James Longstreet's corps.
The Second Battle of Manassas was fought August 28-30, 1862, on much of the same field as the previous battle the year before. Moving to attack Maj. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's corps near Manassas Junction, Maj. Gen. John Pope opened a major battle. On August 30, Pope was routed by a massive flank attack by Maj. Gen. James Longstreet's corps.
American Civil War: Battle of South Mountain
The Battle of South Mountain occurred on September 15, 1862, as Union forces sought to exploit the capture of Confederate Order 191. Attacking Turner's, Fox's, and Crampton's Gaps, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan wished to cross the mountain and assault Gen. Robert E. Lee's army before it could concentrate. Winning a victory, McClellan continued the fighting three days later at Antietam.
The Battle of South Mountain occurred on September 15, 1862, as Union forces sought to exploit the capture of Confederate Order 191. Attacking Turner's, Fox's, and Crampton's Gaps, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan wished to cross the mountain and assault Gen. Robert E. Lee's army before it could concentrate. Winning a victory, McClellan continued the fighting three days later at Antietam.
American Civil War: Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was fought September 17, 1862, during Lee's Invasion of Maryland. Battling near Sharpsburg, MD and Antietam Creek, Maj. Gen. George McClellan won a strategic victory but failed to destroy the Confederate army. The Battle of Antietam provided Pres. Abraham Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Battle of Antietam was fought September 17, 1862, during Lee's Invasion of Maryland. Battling near Sharpsburg, MD and Antietam Creek, Maj. Gen. George McClellan won a strategic victory but failed to destroy the Confederate army. The Battle of Antietam provided Pres. Abraham Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
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: Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville saw Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker attempt to turn the Confederates out of their position near Fredericksburg. Fought May 1-6, 1863, Chancellorsville saw Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee win his most stunning victory. Badly outnumbered, Lee split his army in two and drove Hooker back across the Rappahannock River.
The Battle of Chancellorsville saw Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker attempt to turn the Confederates out of their position near Fredericksburg. Fought May 1-6, 1863, Chancellorsville saw Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee win his most stunning victory. Badly outnumbered, Lee split his army in two and drove Hooker back across the Rappahannock River.
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 Spotsylvania Court House
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was fought May 8-21, 1864, and was the second engagement of Gen. Ulysses Grant's Overland Campaign. Fought along a four mile trench line, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House saw Union troops launch repeated assaults in an attempt to break through the Confederate lines.
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was fought May 8-21, 1864, and was the second engagement of Gen. Ulysses Grant's Overland Campaign. Fought along a four mile trench line, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House saw Union troops launch repeated assaults in an attempt to break through the Confederate lines.
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: Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought May 31-June 12, 1864, and was part of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. Encountering Gen. Robert E. Lee's men near Old Cold Harbor, VA, Grant moved to assault the Confederate positions. Launching multiple attacks over several days, Grant was unable to break through and took heavy losses.
The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought May 31-June 12, 1864, and was part of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. Encountering Gen. Robert E. Lee's men near Old Cold Harbor, VA, Grant moved to assault the Confederate positions. Launching multiple attacks over several days, Grant was unable to break through and took heavy losses.
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 Cedar Creek
The Battle of Cedar Creek was fought October 19, 1864, during the Valley Campaigns of 1864. Attacking at Cedar Creek, Confederate forces surprised the army of absent Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan and had initial success. Returning to Cedar Creek, Sheridan organized a massive counterattack and effectively destroyed the Confederate army.
The Battle of Cedar Creek was fought October 19, 1864, during the Valley Campaigns of 1864. Attacking at Cedar Creek, Confederate forces surprised the army of absent Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan and had initial success. Returning to Cedar Creek, Sheridan organized a massive counterattack and effectively destroyed the Confederate army.
American Civil War: Second Battle of Fort Fisher
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was fought on January 13-15, 1865, and saw Union forces finally capture Fort Fisher. Landing troops above Fort Fisher, Major General Alfred Terry, with naval support, succeeded in storming the fort. The capture of Fort Fisher closed Wilmington, NC, the last major Confederate seaport available to blockade runners.
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was fought on January 13-15, 1865, and saw Union forces finally capture Fort Fisher. Landing troops above Fort Fisher, Major General Alfred Terry, with naval support, succeeded in storming the fort. The capture of Fort Fisher closed Wilmington, NC, the last major Confederate seaport available to blockade runners.
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.