Civil War in the West
Here we look at the campaigns and battles of the Western Theater of the American Civil War.
American Civil War: Battle of Mill Springs
The Battle of Mill Springs was an early Union victory during the Civil War. Fought on January 19, 1862, along the Cumberland River in Kentucky, the Battle of Mill Springs saw Brig. Gen. George Thomas rout a Confederate force under Maj. Gen. George Crittenden. The victory broke the Confederate line in eastern Kentucky.
The Battle of Mill Springs was an early Union victory during the Civil War. Fought on January 19, 1862, along the Cumberland River in Kentucky, the Battle of Mill Springs saw Brig. Gen. George Thomas rout a Confederate force under Maj. Gen. George Crittenden. The victory broke the Confederate line in eastern Kentucky.
American Civil War: Battle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought on February 11-16, 1862, and was an early engagement of the American Civil War. A Confederate outpost on the Cumberland River, Fort Donelson was attacked by Union troops under Brigadier General Ulysses Grant. Surrounding Fort Donelson, Grant was able to compel the fort's unconditional surrender.
The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought on February 11-16, 1862, and was an early engagement of the American Civil War. A Confederate outpost on the Cumberland River, Fort Donelson was attacked by Union troops under Brigadier General Ulysses Grant. Surrounding Fort Donelson, Grant was able to compel the fort's unconditional surrender.
American Civil War: Battle of Pea Ridge
The Battle of Pea Ridge was fought in Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862. In the fighting, Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Samuel Curtis defeated Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn's Confederate troops. The victory at Pea Ridge effectively cemented Union control of Missouri.
The Battle of Pea Ridge was fought in Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862. In the fighting, Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Samuel Curtis defeated Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn's Confederate troops. The victory at Pea Ridge effectively cemented Union control of Missouri.
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 Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh saw Confederate forces under Gen. Albert S. Johnston attack Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's troops in Tennessee. Fought April 6-7, 1862, the Battle of Shiloh initially favored the Confederates as Union troops were caught by surprise. Reinforced, Grant counterattacked on the second day and drove the enemy from the field.
The Battle of Shiloh saw Confederate forces under Gen. Albert S. Johnston attack Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's troops in Tennessee. Fought April 6-7, 1862, the Battle of Shiloh initially favored the Confederates as Union troops were caught by surprise. Reinforced, Grant counterattacked on the second day and drove the enemy from the field.
American Civil War: Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville was the culmination of the 1862 Kentucky Campaign. Attacking north, Gen. Braxton Bragg engaged the Union Army of the Ohio at Perryville, KY on October 8, 1862. Fighting through the day, the Confederates won a tactical victory, but were ultimately forced to withdraw from Kentucky.
The Battle of Perryville was the culmination of the 1862 Kentucky Campaign. Attacking north, Gen. Braxton Bragg engaged the Union Army of the Ohio at Perryville, KY on October 8, 1862. Fighting through the day, the Confederates won a tactical victory, but were ultimately forced to withdraw from Kentucky.
American Civil War: Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River was fought December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863 near Murfreesboro, TN. The culmination of the Stones River Campaign, the battle saw Confederate troops repeatedly attack Maj. Gen. William Rosecran's Army of the Cumberland. Though pushed back, Union forces held, inflicting heavy casualties. Unable to win and with Rosecrans receiving reinforcements, the Confeder…
The Battle of Stones River was fought December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863 near Murfreesboro, TN. The culmination of the Stones River Campaign, the battle saw Confederate troops repeatedly attack Maj. Gen. William Rosecran's Army of the Cumberland. Though pushed back, Union forces held, inflicting heavy casualties. Unable to win and with Rosecrans receiving reinforcements, the Confeder…
American Civil War: Battle of Arkansas Post
The Battle of Arkansas Post was part of the Union campaign against Vicksburg. Fought January 9-11, 1863, the Battle of Arkansas Post saw Union troops overwhelm the garrison of Fort Hindman. Though a victory, the campaign against Arkansas Post was a distraction from the main effort against Vickburg.
The Battle of Arkansas Post was part of the Union campaign against Vicksburg. Fought January 9-11, 1863, the Battle of Arkansas Post saw Union troops overwhelm the garrison of Fort Hindman. Though a victory, the campaign against Arkansas Post was a distraction from the main effort against Vickburg.
American Civil War: Battle of Chickamauga
Coming just after the Tullahoma Campaign, the Battle of Chickamauga occurred September 18-20, 1863. Fought south of Chattanooga, TN, the battle saw Union forces under Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans defeated and forced to retreat. Fleeing to Chattanooga, the Army of the Cumberland was placed under siege by Confederate forces.
Coming just after the Tullahoma Campaign, the Battle of Chickamauga occurred September 18-20, 1863. Fought south of Chattanooga, TN, the battle saw Union forces under Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans defeated and forced to retreat. Fleeing to Chattanooga, the Army of the Cumberland was placed under siege by Confederate forces.
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: Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea commenced on November 15, 1864, after the capture of Atlanta by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. Marching to the port of Savannah, Sherman's men succeeded in taking the city on December 22. During the march, Sherman's men conducted a scorched earth campaign to destroy Confederate resources in Georgia.
Sherman's March to the Sea commenced on November 15, 1864, after the capture of Atlanta by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. Marching to the port of Savannah, Sherman's men succeeded in taking the city on December 22. During the march, Sherman's men conducted a scorched earth campaign to destroy Confederate resources in Georgia.
American Civil War: Battle of Franklin
The Battle of Franklin saw the Confederate Army of Tennessee frontally assault two Union corps under Maj. Gen. John Schofield. Fought on November 30, 1864, the Battle of Franklin resulted in a bloody defeat for Hood. In the fighting at Franklin, six Confederate generals were killed or mortally wounded.
The Battle of Franklin saw the Confederate Army of Tennessee frontally assault two Union corps under Maj. Gen. John Schofield. Fought on November 30, 1864, the Battle of Franklin resulted in a bloody defeat for Hood. In the fighting at Franklin, six Confederate generals were killed or mortally wounded.
American Civil War: Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville was fought December 15-16, 1864, and saw Union forces crush the Confederate Army of Tennessee. Though defeated at Franklin, Gen. John B. Hood pushed on to Nashville where he met Union troops under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. Diligently preparing, Thomas attacked on December 15 and in two days of fighting shattered the Confederate army.
The Battle of Nashville was fought December 15-16, 1864, and saw Union forces crush the Confederate Army of Tennessee. Though defeated at Franklin, Gen. John B. Hood pushed on to Nashville where he met Union troops under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. Diligently preparing, Thomas attacked on December 15 and in two days of fighting shattered the Confederate army.