THE CIVIL WAR

Important Battles & EventsREFRESHER!

THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM SEPTEMBER 17, 1862 Took place between the

Antietam Creek & the town of Sharpsburg, Md.

Battle ended in a draw, but Confederate forces withdrew first

Called the “Bloodiest Day of the War” 23,000 deaths/casualties More soldiers killed in this

battle than in any other American war before…

EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION SEPTEMBER 1862 President Lincoln issued the

Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862 following the Battle of Antietam The document stated that if

the Confederacy surrendered, they could keep their slaves.

Failure to surrender by January 1, 1863 meant that all slaves in rebelling states would be freed.

Lincoln hoped the CSA would surrender & end the war

THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG JULY 1, 2, & 3 1863 Purpose: to gain supplies for the Confederate Army, and

to capture a major Union city

Robert E. Lee’s troops ran into George Meade’s troops in a small Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg.

The UNION won this battle after 3 long days

There were 51,000 deaths and many more injuries.

Gettysburg was the turning point in the war; the Union was now confident that they would win the war.

CHICKAMAUGA SEPTEMBER 19 – 20, 1863 Took place at Chickamauga

Creek in Georgia Just over the Georgia border from

Tennessee.

The Confederates won the battle.

Second bloodiest battle of the war with over 34,000 casualties

The Confederate Army did not follow up on the Union retreat, allowing the Union to capture Chattanooga in November, and set up for the March on Atlanta.

UNION BLOCKADE OF SOUTHERN PORTS

The purpose of the blockade was to stop resources (weapons, ammunition, clothing, and food) from entering or leaving the South.

It was effective in that it stopped European trade, forcing the Southern states to manufacture their own implements of war.

THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN & SHERMAN’S MARCH TO THE SEA

Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign began in the Spring of 1864, and lasted for 4 ½ months. Battles along the way: Dalton, Resaca, Pickets Mill, Kennesaw

Mountain

Atlanta was a target for several reasons It was the 2nd largest city in the Confederacy It was a railroad and manufacturing hub, provide the Confederate

Army with much needed supplies

Sherman’s army occupied Atlanta on September 2, 1864 The soldiers looted the city and set it on fire on November 15th

destroying approximately 30% of the city

THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN

SHERMAN’S MARCH TO THE SEA November 15 – December 21, 1864

Sherman divided his army into 2 columns and began to march towards the final destination in GA Savannah As they moved along the countryside, the Union forces torched

and destroyed everything of war making ability in their sight Known as “Total War” or a “Scorched Earth Policy”

Purpose of this march was to cause the Confederate Army to surrender The Civil War will end on April 9, 1865 with General Lee’s surrender

to General Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Lincoln will be assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865

SHERMAN’S MARCH TO THE SEA

SHERMAN’S TELEGRAPH TO LINCOLN OFFERING SAVANNAH AS A “GIFT”

ANDERSONVILLE A military prison in Georgia operated by the

Confederate Army Housed captured Union soldiers

Approximately 45,000 men were sent here Close to 13,000 died here Highest death rate of any Civil War prison

Conditions were horrible Overcrowded, exposure to the elements, insects, disease and

malnutrition were some of the problems the prisoners faced

ANDERSONVILLE