The Civil War was the biggest known battles in the history of the United States. It was fought between 1861 and 1865 and also regarded as the War Between our States. There were 11 Southern States that declared their removal from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America or ‘the Confederacy.’ Their leader was Jefferson Davis and fought the United States. The United States was supported by all of the free states and by five other slave states that were also known as the border states.
Civil War Timeline
January 1861- The South Threatens.
February 1861- The South Creates a Government for Themselves.
February 1861- The South Seizes Federal Government Forts and Barracks.
March 1861- Lincoln is Inaugurated from Office.
April 1861- The Attack on Fort Sumter Begins.
April 1861- Four More of the States Join the Confederacy Side.
June 1861- West Virginia is Created.
June 1861- Four of the Slave States Stay in the Union.
July 1861- The First Battle of the Bull Rum Occurs.
July 1861- General McDowell is Replaced with General McClellan.
July 1861- A Blockade of the South is Created.
November 1861- Port Royal, South Carolina is Victorious.
December 1861- The Confederate Winter Quarters are Captured.
January 1862- Lincoln Takes More Action.
March 1862- McClellan Loses his Control.
March 1862- Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac Occur
April 1862- The Battle of Shiloh Begins.
April 1862- Fort Pulaski, Georgia is Invaded.
April 1862- New Orleans is assaulted.
April 1862- The Peninsular Campaign Begins.
May 1862- ‘Stonewall’ Jackson Defeats the Union Forces.
June 1862- The Battle at Fair Oaks or Seven Pines Begins.
July 1862- The Seven Days’ Battles Begins.
July 1862- A New Commander of the Union Army is Elected.
August 1862- The Pope’s Campaign is Told.
September 1862- Harper’s Ferry Collapsed.
September 1862- Antietam Battle Begins and Lasts until October.
December 1862- The Battle of Fredericksburg Begins and Lasts Until April 1863.
January 1863- Emancipation Proclamation is Declared.
March 1863- The First Conscription Act Takes Place.
May 1863- The Battle of Chancellorsville Begins.
May 1863- The Vicksburg Campaign Begins.
June and July 1863- The Gettysburg Campaign Begins.
September 1863- The Battle of Chickamauga.
November 1863- The Battle of Chattanooga Broke Out.
November-December 1863- The Siege of Knoxville Takes Hold.
January to April 1864- Winter Quarters at Brandy Station Begins.
May 1864- Grant’s Wilderness Campaign Begins.
May 1864- The Battle of Spotsylvania Begins.
June 1864- The Battle of Cold Harbor Takes Place.
June 1864- The Siege of Petersburg Begins.
July 1864- Confederate Troops Approach Washington, D.C.
August 1864- General William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign Begins.
November 1864- General William T Sherman’s March to the Sea Begins.
November 1864- Lincoln is Re-Elected as President.
January 1865- Fort Fisher, North Carolina is Invaded.
January 1865- The Fall of the Confederacy Occurs.
February 1865- Sherman Marches from North to South Carolina.
February 1865- Any Hopes of Reconciliation is Gone.
April 1865- Richmond Falls.
April 1865- There is Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.
April 1865- President Lincoln is Assassinated.
April to May 1865- The Final Surrenders Come Through From the Remaining Confederate Troops.
November 1865- The Execution of Captain Henry Wirz Takes Place.
Civil War Statistics
The Civil War was America’s bloodiest war and it cost close to 1,100,000 casualties and claimed over 620,000 lives during its reign. Campaigning armies left destruction wherever they visited, more in the Southern states than any that were affected more than any of the other states. Some of the most gruesome battles in this war include Shiloh, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga where the confederate soldiers fought for their beliefs.
In Gettysburg 23,053 Federal soldiers were casualties while there were 28,063 Confederates. During the Seven Days 15,849 Federal soldiers and 20,614 Confederate soldiers were casualties. Chickamauga dropped 16,170 Federal soldiers and 18,454 Confederate soldiers became casualties. Chancellorsville had 16,845 Federal casualties and 12,764 Confederate casualties. The Wilderness brought 17,666 Federal and only 7,500 Confederate soldiers down. Antietam was 12,410 Federal and 10,316 Confederate. Second Manassas had 16,054 Federal and 9,286 Confederate casualties. Shiloh was 13,047 Federal and 10,694 Confederate. Stones River was close with 9,532 Federal and 9,239 Confederate. Last, but not least is Fredericksburg with 12,653 Federal and 5,309 Confederate.
The Federal Army had a number of casualties from a lot of reasons. 110,100 were killed while in action or severely wounded, 67,088 were killed in action and 43,012 of those were severely wounded. 224,580 died because of diseases, 30,192 died as POW’s, 24,881 died of other types of deaths not related to battle, 4,114 had accidents, 4,944 died from drowning, 520 were murdered, 104 were killed after they were captured, 391 committed suicide, 267 were executed by the Federals, 64 were executed by the enemy, 313 had sunstroke, 2,043 died of other causes, and 12,121 died because of causes not stated which brings the total to 389,753 and between the years of 1861 to 1865 brought it to 664,928.
Technology During the Civil War
The Civil War is also known as a modern war because of the new technology that was being used for the war. The technology ranged from the smallest things such as tin cans to large items like weapons and cameras. The new technology for weapons allowed the soldiers to have advantages and be more effective during the war. Although, using this new weapon technology also meant that more soldiers were lost in the war. Having the technology of cameras allowed the war to be captured as they never were before. It was recorded using real life pictures rather than an artist’s thoughts of what went on. With the technology of telegraphs communication was more effective and was able to go quickly between commanders.
The technology of weapons had the biggest affect on the war. Soldiers carried rifles that were quick to load and could increase accuracy and range when shot. There was also new bullets invented which provided an easier loading time and damaged soldiers worse than the previous ammo. The Gatling gun was a machine gun on wheels that was affective for taking out larger portions of people when it need. Torpedoes were used mostly by the South and could detonate electronically whenever an enemy was near. Submarines were also being used at this time. This allowed them to move more efficiently over waters and sneak up without being noticed while under water. Trains were effective at moving goods, mail, men, and supplies in the fastest way. They were used often by both sides.
The food method of technology however, was not as advanced as they would have liked it to be. They had a hard time preserving food. They had canned items to eat that were bland and not quite tasty. They had no means of refrigeration and the soldiers had to eat salted meats. They were the first to use armored ships during this war, built weapons to take on more power, and had a more effective way of transportation and communication.
Famous Battles
Some of the largest land battles occurred across the states with different commanders leading them. Depending on the side that you were on, you might have been commanded by Braxton Bragg, Robert E. Lee, or Ulysses S. Grant. These are some of the best known men from the Civil War.
Battle of Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) – July 1 to 4, 1863. Commanded by Robert E. Lee/ George Meade. 51,112 total casualties.
Battle of Chickamauga (Georgia) – September 19 to 20, 1863. Commanded by Braxton Bragg/ William Rosecrans. 34,624 total casualties.
Battle of Chancellorsville (Virginia) – May 1 to 4, 1863. Commanded by Robert E Lee/ Joseph Hooker. 30,099 total casualties.
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (Virginia) – May 8 to 21, 1864. Commanded by Robert E. Lee/ Ulysses S. Grant. 30,399 total casualties.
Battle of Antietam (Maryland) – September 17, 1862. Commanded by Robert E. Lee/ George B. McClellan. Strategic Union Victory and Inconclusive. 23,134 total casualties.
Battle of the Wilderness (Virginia) – May 5 to 7, 1864. Commanded by Robert E. Lee/ Ulysses S. Grant. Inconclusive. 28,666 total casualties.
Second Battle of the Bull Run (Virginia) – August 29 to 30, 1862. Commanded by Robert E. Lee/ John Pope. 25,251 total casualties.
Battle of Stones River (Tennessee) – December 31, 1862. Commanded by Braxton Bragg/ William Rosecrans. 24,645 total casualties.
Battle of Shiloh (Tennessee) – April 6 to 7, 1862. Commanded by Albert Sidney Johnston/ P.G.T Beauregard/ Ulysses S. Grant. 23,741 total casualties.
Battle of Fort Donelson (Tennessee) – February 13 to 16, 1862. Commanded by John B. Floyd/ Simon Bolivar Buckner/ Sr. Ulysses S. Grant. 19,455 total casualties.
Famous people
George Washington Carver (1860’s- January 1943) - He was an American botanist who invented crop rotation to the southern part of the U.S. He also developed hundreds of uses for peanuts and other plants of the area. He was born into slavery in Missouri. He was known by the household as the ‘plant doctor’ when he was young.
Jefferson Davis (June 1808- December 1889) – He was the president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War in the United States.
Frederick Douglas (1818-1895) - He was an American abolitionist who was born a slave in Talbot County, Maryland. He was a leader of the anti slavery movement in the U.S. and also a author and publisher of a series of newspapers.
Ulysses S. Grant (1822- 1885) - He was an American Civil War General, and also became the 18th President of the U.S. He was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio and proved to be one of the strongest leaders of his time.
Robert E. Lee (January 1807- October 1870) – He was born at Stratford, Virginia. He was the son of the revolutionary war hero: Henry Lee. He is known for commanding general of the confederate forces during the Civil War in America.
Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) – He was the 16th President of the U.S., and first ever president from the Republican Party. He was born in February 1809 in Kentucky. He was a captain in the Army during the Black Hawk War.
Solomon Northup (1808- Undecided) – He was a free born African American man from NY. He was kidnapped in Washington D.C. and sold into slavery. He was held in Louisiana for slavery, but eventually escaped after a dozen years. He wrote about his experiences.
George Meade (1815-1872) – He was a Major General for the U.S. during the Civil War in America. He was born in December 1815 in Spain. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1835.
Teachers Resources
Resources for teachers on in class room hours for the Civil War are provided through a number of sites. Lesson plans, teaching aides, and quiz information is presenting on a large number of websites throughout the internet. Using these aides will allow your students to learn, interact, and have fun when learning more about the Civil War. Teachers can use these resources with their own lesson plans or create a new lesson plan using the resources as a base.