Monthly Archives: January 2025

American Civil War In Photos

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Artwork Despite him stone fort at center surrounded by water. The fort is on fire and shells explode in the air above it.
Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston, by Confederate forces, April 12, 1861.
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Union blockade of the Southern States, known as the “Anaconda plan.”
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Confederate soldiers captured Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Flordia.
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Battle of Big Bethel, West Virginia, June 10, 1861. First land Battle of the war.
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Battle of Rich Mountain, July 11, 1861, Union forces under George McClellan defeated Confederates under John Pegram.
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US cavalry battling Confederate forces in Fairfax Courthouse, June 1, 1861.
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1st Ohio Infantry in action at the Battle of Vienna, June 17, 1861.
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Battle of Boonville, first battle fought in Missouri.
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Union soldiers struggle to retreat across a bridge during the First Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run), the first major battle of the war.
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Painting of the First Battle of Manassas.
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First major battle of the Trans-Mississippi Theater, the Battle of Wilson’s Creek ended in a Confederate victory after Union General Nathaniel Lyon was killed and Union forces suffering heavy losses.
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Union navy bombards Cape Hatteras Inlet in North Carolina, August, 1861.
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Battle of Lexington, Missouri, September 1861, Union forces defeated.
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Union cavalry under Charles Zagonyi charge Confederate forces in Springfield, Missouri, October 25, 1861.
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Battle of Dranesville, Virginia, December 20, 1861 Confederates under J.E.B. Stuart were defeated.
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Battle of Mill Springs in Eastern Kentucky, January 19, 1862. Confederate forces were defeated with their General Felix Zollicoffer being killed in the battle.
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Union ironclads bombard Fort Henry, Tennessee, February 6, 1862.
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Fort Henry on the morning it was captured by Union troops, February 6, 1862.
Currier and Ives print showing a group of blue-clad infantrymen charging a mound from which projects the mouth of a Confederate cannon. Two soldiers lie on the ground, presumably dead; a third is falling backward as if shot, still clutching his rifle. The most prominent feature is a standing soldier near the center, bearing an American flag. Other soldiers are shown to his right. In the distance is another American flag that is being waved from the top of the mound by a figure seen only in outline.
Capture of Roanoke Island, North Carolina by Union forces, February 8, 1862.
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Battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, February 11-16, 1862, major Union victory in the Western Theater, with Union forces inflicting 13,846 casualties on the Confederate forces while only having 2,691 casualties.
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2nd Iowa regiments attacks Confederate artillery batteries, Battle of Fort Donelson.
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Hand-to-hand fighting during the capture of Fort Donelson by Union troops.
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Union troops attack at Fort Donelson “the victory which brought Grant fame.”
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Battle of New Bern, North Carolina, March 14, 1862.
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Battle of Pea Ridge, fought near Fayetteville, Arkansas from March 7-8, 1862. Union forces under Samuel Curtis defeated the larger Confederate forces under Earl Van Dorn.
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Confederate forces defeated at Pea Ridge, March 8, 1862.
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Battle of Hampton Roads, Virginia, March 8-9, 1862.
Print: Cumberland rammed by Virginia
Sinking of the USS Cumberland, Battle of Hampton Roads.
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Union bayonet charge at the First Battle of Kernstown, the opening battle of Jackson’s Valley Campaign, March 23, 1862.
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Confederate forces at the Battle of Glorieta Pass, New Mexico, March 26-28, 1862.
Soldiers fighting in a smoky woods
Battle of Shiloh, fought in Hardin County, Tennessee from April 6-7, 1862. It was the bloodiest battle in American history up to that point with the Union forces under Ulysses Grant suffering 13,047 casualties (1,754 killed) and the Confederate forces suffering 10,699 casualties (1,728 killed). It was the second major victory for Grant in the war already.
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Union soldiers bury their dead, Battle of Shiloh. The New York Herald reported on April 10 that it was “The bloodiest fight of modern times.”
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Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnson who had served in the US army for 34 years before the war, was killed in action on April 6, 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh.
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Ohio Union troops at Corinth, Mississippi.
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Generals Halleck’s and Grant’s Union army marches toward Corinth, April 1862.
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Fort Pulaski in Chatham County, Georgia taken by Union forces, April 11, 1862.
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Attack of the Union fleet at Fort Jackson, Louisiana, April 26, 1862.
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Federal fleet in New Orleans, Louisiana, May 1, 1862.
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Louisiana state flag removed from the New Orleans city hall, May 1862.
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Union General Hooker’s Division engaging the Confederates at the Battle of Willimasburg, Virginia.
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US Navy forces in combat at the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia, May 15, 1862.
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Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson scored a decisive victory at the First Battle of Winchester, Virginia, May 25, 1862. 2,019 casualties were inflicted on the Union forces while the Confederates only suffered 397.
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Union soldiers with seacoast mortars at Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862.
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Battle of Seven Pines (or Fair Oaks) fought May 31-June 1, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia. Major battle of the Peninsula Campaign, ended inconclusive with both sides suffering heavy losses (5,431 Union and 6,134 Confederate).
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Union attack at Fair Oaks, June 1, 1862.
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Ironclad ships fight at the First Battle of Memphis, June 6, 1862, Confederate fleet was completely destroyed.
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Confederates burn a bridge in the Shenandoah Valley in order to prevent the Union troops from crossing, June 9, 1862.
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Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson during the Valley Campaign of 1862.
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Union forces defeated at Battle of Secessionsville, fought in Charleston, South Carolina, June 16, 1862.
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Union forces repulsing Confederate charge at the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, June 26, 1862, Mechanicsville, Virginia.
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Union defenses at Ellerson’s Mill, Battle of Beaver Dam Creek.
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Confederates under Robert E. Lee defeated Union forces at Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862. Each side suffered over 7,000 losses.
"Unburied Dead on Battlefield" by John Reekie; issued as Stero #914 being taken on the Battlefield of Gaines Mills aka First Cold Harbor April 1865; taken near the Adams Farm where 7th New York artillery was stationed June 1864 see Civil war Talk.
“Unburied dead on the Battlefield” picture taken 3 years later of remains of soldiers that were killed at Gaines’ Mill.
"African Americans collecting bones of soldiers killed at Cold Harbor (by John Reekie; issued as Stero #918, April 1865).[20] Note part of a series:[21]
African American workers collecting remains of fallen soldiers at Gaines’ Mill, Hanover County, Virginia.
"Virginia, Cold harbor extreme Line of Confederate Works" An April 1865 John Reekie photograph
Makeshift Confederate earthworks at Gaines’ Mill, picture taken in 1865.
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Union forces pushed back at Savage’s Station, June 29, 1862, Henrico County, Virginia.
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Field hospital after the Battle of Savage’s Station.
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Hand-to-hand fighting at the Battle of Glendale, June 30, 1862, in Henrico County Virginia. Another bloody battle in the Peninsula Campaign (3,797 Union and 3,673 Confederate casualties).
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Confederate soldiers overran Union lines, Battle of Glendale.
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Confederates attack Union lines and are repulsed after suffering over 5,000 casualties, Battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862.
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Seventeen-year old Confederate soldier Edwin Francis Jemison, who was killed during the attack at Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Henrico County, Virginia.
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Battle of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, August 5, 1862. Confederate forces under John Breckinridge were defeated by Union forces under Thomas Williams, although Williams was killed in action during the battle.
These homes near the southeastern flank of the arsenal at Baton Rouge were ordered destroyed by Union Colonel Halbert E. Paine after the surprise attack so that they would not afford shelter to any potential attackers.
Homes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, burned down by Union forces for sheltering Confederate soldiers.
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Union forces were victorious at the Battle of Kirksville, August 6, 1862, Adair County, Missouri.
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Confederate soldiers who were fighting in Jackson County, Missouri, August 1862.
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Confederate army under Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson defeated Union forces under Nathaniel Banks at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia, August 9, 1862. Over 25% of the Union forces were destroyed (2,353 of 8,030 men were casualties).
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Union army camping at Rappahannock Station, Virginia. On August 22 they would be driven back by Confederates under James Longstreet.
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Second Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run) fought August 29, 1862. Confederates under Robert E. Lee handily defeated Union forces under John Pope. Union forces suffered almost twice as many casualties (14,462 Union and 7,298 Confederate) despite outnumbering the Confederates by 27,000 soldiers.
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Battle-weary Union troops retreat after their defeat at Second Bull Run.
Virginia, Bull Run. Ruins of Stone Bridge, 1862
Manassas Battlefield pictured after the Battle.
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While attempting to retreat, Union forces were attacked at Chantilly, Virginia, on Setpember 1, 1862. This drawing shows the death of Union General Isaac Stevens, their other commander, Philip Kearney was also killed during the battle.
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September 12-15, 1862, Siege of Harper’s Ferry, Maryland. Confederates under Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson defeated the large Union garrison inflicting a stunning 12,636 casualties while only taking 286.
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Union soldiers cross the Ohio River into Kentucky, September 1862.
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Confederate offensive into Maryland was setback after Robert E. Lee was defeated by George McClellan at the Battle of South Mountain in Frederick County, Maryland, September 14, 1862. Both sides suffered over 2,000 casualties.
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Confederate dead at South Mountain, September 14, 1862.
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Confederate troops marching into Frederick, Maryland.
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Confederates defeated Union garrison of 4,000 at the Battle of Munfordville, Kentucky, September 14, 1862.
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Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg), Maryland, fought September 17, 1862. To this day it is the bloodiest day in American history with Union forces under George McClellan suffering 12,410 casualties (2,108 dead) and Confederates under Robert E. Lee suffering 10,337 casualties (1,567 dead). The Confederate army would not recover from these crippling loses and was forced to retreat back to Virginia.
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Famous photograph of Confederate soldiers who were killed at the Battle of Antietam.
two men observing a ditch full of dead soldiers
Confederate dead lie in “Bloody lane” after the Battle of Antietam.
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Confederate soldiers lined up for burial in mass graves, Battle of Antietam.
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Rebels killed during the assault at the Second Battle of Corinth, Mississippi, October 3-4, 1862. Union forces under Ulysses Grant scored a decisive victory against Confederate forces under Earl Van Dorn, inflicting heavy losses. (2,520 Union and 4,223 Confederate casualties).
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Confederate dead outside Corinth, Mississippi, on October 5, 1862 including Colonel William Rogers of the 2nd Texas Infantry.
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Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862. Inconclusive battle between Confederate forces under Braxton Bragg and Union forces under Don Carlos Buell. Both sides had heavy losses (4,241 Union and 3,396 Confederate).
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Battle of Island Mound, Bates County Missouri, October 28, 1862.
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Mass hanging of of 41 Pro-Union men in Gainesville, Texas, October 1862.
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19th Iowa and 20th Wisconsin US regiments attacking the Confederates during the Battle of Praire Grove, Arkansas, fought December 7, 1862. Union forces under James Blunt defeated Confederates under Thomas Hindman. Both sides suffered over 1,000 casualties, and many Confederate soldiers deserted after the defeat. Union took control of Northeastern Arkansas after the victory.
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Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 11-15, 1862. Another heavy defeat of Union forces by Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Union army of 122,009 was defeated by Confederate army of 78,513. 12,653 Union casualties and 5,377 Confederate casualties.
Pontoon bridges at Franklin's Crossing
Union troops used pontoon bridges to cross the river to Fredericksburg.
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Confederate troops defend their positions called “Marye’s Heights” from behind a stone wall, Battle of Fredericksburg. Union forces launched a frontal assault onto the Confederate lines and were obliterated by the entrenthced Confederates.
Angel of Marye's Heights by Mort Kunstler
Confederate soldier Richard Rowland Kirkland of South Carolina gave water to the Union wounded during their attack on Marye’s Heights, Battle of Fredericksburg. Richard Rowland Kirkland would later be killed in action at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863.
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Fredericksburg battlefield after the fighting, where Union dead were buried in four separate trenches.
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Picture taken by Union photographers of Confederate soldiers across the river in Fredericksburg.
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Capture of Kinston, North Carolina by Union forces on December 14, 1862.
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Union forces were victorious at the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge, North Carolina, December 17, 1862. Union forces secured the strategically significant Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Bridge.
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John Hunt Morgan’s Kentucky cavalry officers who led a successful raid of the Union supply lines in Tennessee and Kentucky in December 1862.
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January 1, 1863, Battle of Galveston, Texas. United States Naval forces defeated by Confederates. Union commander William Renshaw was killed during the battle.
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Battle of Stone’s River (or Second Murfreesboro), Tennessee fought December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863. It was a major Union victory in the Western Theater, Union forces under William Rosecrans defeated Confederate forces under Braxton Bragg. However, the Union victory came at a cost of 13,906 casualties (1,677 killed). Confederate forces suffered 11,739 casualties (1,294 killed).
Stones River National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service)
Confederate soldiers wading through the river under artillery fire, Battle of Stone’s River, January 1, 1863.
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USS Hatteras sunk by CSS Alabama off Galveston Lighthouse in the Gulf of Mexico. January 1863.
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Bombardment and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas by US Navy, January 11, 1863. 4,791 Confederate soldiers captured. This was the opening battle of the Vicksburg campaign.
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First Battle of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, April 7, 1863. Union attack on Charleston was repelled by Confederate forces under P.G.T. Beauregard.
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Confederate artillery at Charleston Harbor, April 1863.
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Battle of Irish Bend, in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, April 14, 1863. Union forces were victorious and pushed farther into Western Louisiana.
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Union Army of the Potomoc marching into Northern Virginia in preparation for the Chancellorsville campaign, April 21, 1863.
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Union forces under John McNeil took control of Cape Girardeau, Missouri after defeating Confederates under John Marmaduke.
Black and white illustration of steamboats firing from a river onto the ruins of a town and the bluffs behind. Smoke rises from the ruins, the bluffs, and the smokestacks of the ships.
Union forces bombarding Confederate positions during the Battle of Grand Gulf, Mississippi, April 29, 1863.
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Battle of Chancellorsville, fought April 30-May 6, 1863 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Called “Lee’s perfect battle” Confederate forces numbering 60,298 under Robert E. Lee miraculously defeated a Union force of 133,868 under Joseph Hooker. However both sides suffered immense casualties, including Lee’s “right hand man” General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson who was killed. Union Army of the Potomoc suffered 17,287 casualties (1,606 killed) and Confederate Army of Northern Virginia suffered 12,764 casualties (1,665 killed).
The Scapegoats at Chancellorsville
General Lee leading his men to attack at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
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Union troops cross the Rappahannock River in Virginia.
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Union XI Corps surprised attacked by Confederate troops, Battle of Chancellorsville.
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Photo of Union troops waiting in the trench before launching an assault on the Confederate lines May 3, 1863, Second Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Over 1,000 of these troops would be killed or wounded in the following attack.
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Confederate soldiers who were killed while defending a stone wall, Second Battle of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863.
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Confederate horses and soldiers who were killed by Union artillery fire, Second Battle of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863.
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Sketch made by Confederate officer of their plan to attack the Union lines at the Battle of Salem Church, Virginia, May 4, 1863. Union army was defeated again at Salem Church, both sides suffered over 4,000 casualties.
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Battle of Raymond, Mississippi, May 12, 1863. Union forces under James McPherson defeated Confederates under John Gregg.
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Battle of Jackson, Mississippi, May 14, 1863. Union forces defeated and captured the Mississippi capital led by Ulysses Grant and William T. Sherman. Jackson was defended by Confederates led by Joseph E. Johnston and John Gregg.
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Battle of Champion Hill, Hinds County, Mississippi, first major battle of the Vicksburg campaign, May 16, 1863. Ulysses Grant defeated Confederates under John Pemberton inflicting heavy casualties on their forces. 2,457 Union casualties and 3,840 Confederate casualties.
Ranks of soldiers charging over an embankment; one soldiers in the foreground carries the United States flag. A bridge burns in the distance, with fleeing soldiers in the background
May 17, 1863, Battle of Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi. Confederates once again defeated by Ulysses Grant.
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Pontoon bridges where the Confederate army crossed the Potomoc River in Virginia at the Battle of Franklin’s Crossing, the first battle of the Gettysburg Campaign, June 5-6, 1863.
Cavalry charge near Brandy Station
Cavalry charge at the Battle of Brandy Station, fought June 9, 1863 in Culpeper County, Virginia. It was the largest cavalry Battle of the war; Confederates under J.E.B. Stuart defeated Union forces under Alfred Pleasonton. 1,007 Union and 523 Confederate casualties.
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Battle of Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana, June 7, 1863. Drawing shows Black Union troops engaging in hand-to-hand fighting with Confederate soldiers. Confederates were defeated.
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Siege of Vicksburg fought May 18-July 4, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The most important Battle of the Western theater of the war by far, Union forces under Ulysses Grant defeated Confederate forces under John Pemberton and seized control of the important Mississippi river, which split the Confederacy in two. Almost the entire Confederate force was destroyed with 32,697 casualties (3,202 killed) out of a total of 33,000 men. Union forces suffered significantly less than the Confederates with 4,835 casualties (766 killed).
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Confederate defenses in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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Union heavy artillery pieces that shelled the besieged city of Vicksburg for over a month.
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Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana, May 22-July 9, 1863. Confederate force of 7,500 defeated, entire force either killed or captured. However Union victory came at a cost of almost 5,000 Battle casualties, as well as an additional 5,000 deaths due to disease.
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Union cavalry charge at the Battle of Aldie, June 17, 1863, in Loudoun County, Virginia.
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Union soldiers at Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia, they would retreat back into the North after a Battle on June 27, 1863.
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Painting of the Battle of Gettysburg showing Union General Hancock’s Corps defending against Pickett’s charge. What is considered the turning point of the war, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was defeated by the Union Army of the Potomoc at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, after three days of brutal fighting from July 1-3, 1863. The Confederate Army suffered irreplaceable casualties with 28,000 of their 75,000 men being killed or wounded. The Union Army suffered heavy casualties as well with 23,049 men killed or wounded.
7 Facts About the Battle of Gettysburg | HISTORY
Pickett’s Charge at Gettysbug, on July 3, 1863. Last ditch attempt by Robert E. Lee to break through the Union lines, 12,500 Confederate infantry under George Pickett charged the center of the Union lines. Out of the 12,500 1,123 were killed, 4,019 were wounded, and 3,750 were captured.
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Union Army defenses on Culp’s Hill, Battle of Gettysburg.
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“Harvest of death” showing a field of Union soldiers who were killed at Gettysburg.
The Battle of Gettysburg: 150 Years Ago - The Atlantic
Horses that were killed by Artillery fire, Battle of Gettysburg.
The History Place - Photographs of Gettysburg
Union General Meade’s headquarters at Gettysburg. Fallen soldiers can be seen up the road.
Young Confederate sharpshooter, who was killed at Gettysburg.
Dead Union soldiers near McPherson’s Woods, Battle of Gettysburg. Some of their shoes were taken by Confederate soldiers as they were retreating.
Confederate soldiers who were killed defending their positions, Battle of Gettysburg.
Three Confederate Prisoners from the Battle of Gettysburg - Encyclopedia Virginia
Confederate soldiers taken prisoner after the Battle of Gettysburg.
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Union soldiers marching towards Frederick, Virginia, in pursuit of General Lee’s army, July 6-16, 1863.
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Union cavalry charge at the Battle of Honey Springs, Oklahoma, July 17, 1863. Union forces under James Blunt defeated Confederate forces and Creek, Choctaw, and Cherokee Indian forces.
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Second Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, South Carolina, July 18, 1863. Union forces unsuccessfully tried to to take the fort and were replused after suffering 1,515 casualties.
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Union Troops of the 1st New York engineer regiment at Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863.
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The Lawrence massacre, committed by a Confederate militia group led by William Quantrill, in which the town of Lawrence, Kansas was burned to the ground with 164 pro-Union civilians being killed. This was an act of revenge for the sacking of Osceola, Missouri in 1861 carried out against pro-Confederate civilians.
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In response to the Lawrence massacre, the Union Army issued General Order No. 11, on August 21, 1863, which ordered the burning and plundering of Bates, Cass, Jackson, and Vernon Counties in Missouri. All people living in these counties were also forcefully expelled.
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Photo of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, after bombardment by Union artillery on September 8, 1863. Confederate forces evacuated the fort on September 7.
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Union General Ambrose Burnside’s forces pushing through the Cumberland Gap in Kentucky, September 7-9, 1863.
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Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 18-20, 1863 in Catoosa and Walker Counties, Georgia. It was the last major Confederate victory in the Western Theater, Union forces under William Rosecrans were defeated by Confederates under Braxton Bragg. The Confederates successfully ended the Union’s campaign into Georgia, but it was a pyrrhic victory, with the Confederate taking more casualties than the Union. 16,710 Union casualties (1,657 killed) and 18,454 Confederate casualties (2,312 killed).
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Chickamuga battlefield pictured in 1865.
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Union Army wagon train that entered into Fauquier County, Virginia on October 13, 1863.
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Battle of Bayou Bourbeux, Louisiana, fought November 3, 1863. Union forces under Stephen Burbridge defeated by Confederates under Thomas Green.
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Second Battle of Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863. Union Army of the Potomoc under George Meade advanced into Culpeper County, Virginia.
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Battle of Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Union forces under Joseph Hooker defeated Confederates under Carter Stevenson.
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Battle of Missionary Ridge, fought November 25, 1863 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Decisive defeat to General Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army by Union forces under Ulysses Grant and William T. Sherman. 5,284 Union and 6,667 Confederate casualties.
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Where General Sherman’s forces crossed the Tennessee River at Missionary Ridge.
Battlefield, Missionary Ridge, Tenn. 1864
Missionary Ridge battlefield.
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Union Army of the Potomoc at the Battle of Mine Run, November 27, 1863, in Orange County, Virginia. Confederate Army fell back farther south.
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Battle of Fort Sanders, Tennessee, November 29, 1863. Union forces under Ambrose Burnside defeated Confederates under James Longstreet.
Meridian Campaign
General Sherman’s Army burning houses during the Meridian Campaign, in Mississippi, February 14-20, 1864. Sherman ordered his troops to “wipe it off the map.” This one of the first campaigns by General Sherman using scorched earth tactics.
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Battle of Olustee, fought February 20, 1864, in Baker County, Florida. It was the largest Battle fought in Florida during the war. A Union force under Truman Seymour landed in Jacksonville, Florida an attempted to advance inland to disrupted the Confederate supply lines, but were defeated by Confederate forces under Joseph Finegan. After this defeat the expedition was called off.
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Nathaniel Bank’s Union Army crossing the Cane River in Louisiana at the start of the Red River Campaign, March 31, 1864.
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Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, April 8, 1864. Union forces under Nathaniel Banks defeated by Confederate forces under Richard Taylor. Major setback for the Union Red River Campaign, 2,235 Union casualties and 1,000 Confederate casualties.
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Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 9, 1864. Confederates under Richard Taylor attempted to attack the Union forces under Nathaniel Banks after their victory the day earlier at Mansfield. However, the Confederate attack failed and they suffered 1,626 casualties to the Union’s 1,369.
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Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee, April 12, 1864. Confederate cavalry forces under Nathan Bedford Forrest defeated Union forces defending the Fort, killing both Union commanders Lionel Booth and William Bradford. Reportedly, Forrest’s men massacred over 200 of the Union troops who were trying to surrender, but this claim is disputed. Still, 351 of the 600 Union troops were killed.
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Battle of Plymouth, North Carolina, April 17-20, 1864. Confederate naval forces under Robert Hoke defeated Union forces and recaptured two forts.
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Battle of Albermale Sound, North Carolina, May 5, 1864. Inconclusive naval Battle.
The battle of the Wilderness Va. May 5th & 6th 1864 | Library of Congress
The opening Battle of the Overland Campaign, the bloodiest campaign of the war, the Battle of the Wilderness was fought May 5-7, 1864 in Spotsylvania and Orange Counties, Virginia. Union Army of the Potomoc under Ulysses Grant and Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee met inconclusively, Grant’s army was unable to defeated Lee after suffering huge numbers of casualties but Lee’s Army did not have enough strength to defeat them. 17,666 Union casualties (2,246 killed) and 11,033 Confederate casualties (1,477 killed).
Swearing and Praying" - Medical Care After the Wilderness - National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Drawing of soldiers attempting to take their wounded from the battlefield during the Battle of the Wilderness. A fire was started during the Battle because of the dry ground, which resulted in many of the wounded men being burned alive.
woods with skinny trees
Wilderness battlefield pictured in 1865, where Union forces advanced through the woods to attack the Confederate lines on May 6, 1864.
Assault on Dug Gap by Alfred Waud, 1864.
Battle of Rock Face Ridge, opening Battle of the Atlanta Campaign in Georgia. Union forces under William Sherman flanked Confederate forces under Joseph Johnston. Confederate forces were forced to abandon their strong position near Atlanta.
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Union forces and Confederate forces engage in Bloody hand-to-hand fighting during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Fought May 9-21, 1864, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, it was the second major Battle of the Overland Campaign, and one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war. Like the Battle of the Wilderness, it was Inconclusive, with Union forces under Ulysses Grant taking devastating casualties, as well as Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee. 18,399 Union casualties (2,725 killed) and 12,687 Confederate casualties (1,515 killed).
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Union forces from Upton’s Brigade attack at the “Bloody angle,” Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.
This unidentified, dead Confederate soldier of Ewell's Corps was killed during their attack at Alsop's farm. He was wounded in both the right knee and left shoulder, and probably died from loss of blood.
Unidentified Confederate soldier of General Ewell’s Corps who was killed during their assault on Alsop’s Farm, Spotsylvania Court House on May 19, 1864. He had been shot in both the right hand and left shoulder and probably died due to blood loss.
Confederate killed in Ewell's attack May 19, 1864, on the Alsop farm. This photograph was taken just to the right and in front of the preceding photograph.
Confederate soldier killed in Ewell’s attack on May 19, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House.
Confederate dead of General Ewell's Corps who attacked the Union lines on May 19 lined up for burial at the Alsop Farm.
Confederate dead of Ewell’s Corps, that were decimated during their attack on May 19, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House.
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One of the last major cavalry battles of the war, the Battle of Yellow Tavern fought May 11, 1864 in Henrico County, Virginia. Outnumbered Confederate forces under J.E.B. Stuart were defeated by Union forces led by Philip Sheridan. J.E.B. Stuart, was killed during the Battle, a crushing blow to the Confederacy.
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First major Battle of the Atlanta Campaign, the Battle of Resaca fought May 13-15, 1864 in Gordon and Whitfield Counties, Georgia. The Battle was Inconclusive with Union forces under William Sherman suffering 4,000 casualties and Confederate forces under Joseph Johnston suffering 3,000 casualties.
Sepia-toned photo shows Confederate defenses at Resaca.
The Confederate defensive position at the Battle of Resaca.
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Battle of New Market, May 15, 1864, Shenandoah County, Virginia. Confederate forces under John Breckinridge defeated Union forces under Franz Sigel, and halted the Union advance into the Shenandoah valley. The Confederate forces were comprised of many cadets from the Virginia Military Institute, who were around the ages of 15 to 17 years old.
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Where Confederate forces under Joseph Johnston retreated across the Etowah River in Cassville, Georgia.
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Where Union troops crossed the North Anna River in Caroline County, Virginia, May 23-26, 1864. Robert E. Lee’s Army successful out-maneuvered Grant’ Army, but were unable to capitalize with an attack due to their lack of strength.
Black and white photo shows a pile of logs and earth in a forest.
Battlefield of the Battle of New Hope Church, fought May 25-26, 1864 in Paulding County, Georgia. Union forces under Joseph Hooker were defeated by Confederates under Joseph Johnston.
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Battle of Dallas, May 28, 1864 in Paulding County, Georgia. Confederate forces under Joseph Johnston forces to retreat after being defeated by Union Army under William Sherman.
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Battle of Totopotomoy Creek (or Bethesda Church) fought May 28-30, 1864 in Hanover County, Virginia. Union forces under Ulysses Grant were pushed back by Confederates under Robert E. Lee. However, Confederate forces suffered twice as many casualties (1,593) than the Union suffered (731).
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Battle of Cold Harbor, third major Battle of the Overland Campaign, fought May 31-June 12, 1864 in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee defeated Union forces under Ulysses Grant when Grant’s Army launched a miscalculated attack on the Confederate lines, resulting in heavy Union casualties. 12,739 Union casualties (1,845 killed) and 5,287 Confederate casualties (788 killed). On June 3, three Union Corps assaulted the Confederate lines and were destroyed by Artillery fire before even reaching the Confederates. One Confederate said “we felt it was murder, not war.”
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Battle of Marietta, Georgia, June 9-July 3, 1864. William Sherman defeated Confederates under Joseph Johnston. Confederate second-in-command Leonidas Polk was killed.
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Charge of the Confederate cavalry at the Battle of Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864 Louisa County, Virginia. Confederates under Wade Hampton were victorious after inflicting 1,512 casualties on Union forces under Philip Sheridan.
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Second Battle of Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864, first major Battle of the Petersburg Campaign. Lee’s Confederate Army repulsed Grant’s Union Army. 11,386 Union casualties (1,688 killed) and 4,000 Confederate casualties (200 killed). The picture shows the Union XVIII Corps assaulting the Confederate lines on June 15.
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Confederates dragging their artillery up the mountain, during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. Union forces under William Sherman were defeated by Confederates under Joseph Johnston. 3,000 Union casualties and 1,000 Confederate casualties.
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Union soldiers cross the Chattahoochee River near Atlanta, Georgia on July 5, 1864.
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Battle of Fort Stevens, July 12-13, 1864, Confederate forces under Jubal Early managed to reach just outside of Washington D.C., but were defeated by Union troops under Alexander Cook.
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Union graves at Peachtree Creek, Georgia, fought July 20, 1864 in Fulton County, Georgia. First Confederate attack against Union forces in Atlanta Campaign had failed.
Palisades and chevaux de frise in front of the Potter (or Pondor) House, Atlanta, Georgia, 1864
Confederate defenses in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta fell on July 22, 1864 after the Confederate defenders under John Bell Hood were defeated by Union forces under William Sherman.
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Ruins of the Atlanta Union Depot after burning by Sherman’s troops.
Emerging Civil War
Burning of Atlanta Georgia on November 15, 1864 by Sherman’s troops happened a couple months after it was captured on July 22.
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First Battle of Deep Bottom, during the Siege of Petersburg, fought July 27-29, 1864 in Henrico County, Virginia. Union forces under Winfield Hancock defeated Confederates under Richard Ewell.
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Battle of Ezra Church, fought July 28, 1864 in Fulton County, Georgia. Confederate forces were defeated with heavy casualties while retreating from Atlanta by William Sherman’s Army.
Battle of the Crater, fought July 30, 1864 during the Siege of Petersburg. Union Army dug trenches under the Confederate lines, and detonated a massive bomb under them. The Union forces were sent into the destroyed Confederate trenches, expecting most of them to be dead, but were repulsed by the Confederates after taking 3,798 casualties. Confederate forces suffered 1,491 casualties.
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Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 2-23, 1864. Mobile Bay and Fort Morgan were captured by Union forces.
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Battle of Globe Tavern, August 18-21, 1864, in Petersburg, Virginia. Union forces under Gouverneur Warren defeated Confederates under A.P. Hill and took control of the Petersburg railroads. Union forces suffered 4,296 casualties and Confederates suffered 1,620.
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Forrest’s Confederate cavalry raided Memphis, Tennessee on August 21, 1864.
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Battle of Summit Point, West Virginia, August 21, 1864. Union forces under Philip Sheridan advanced farther into the Shenandoah valley.
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Second Battle of Ream’s Station, August 25, 1864, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Confederates under A.P. Hill broke through the Union lines. 2,747 of the 9,000 Union troops were casualties.
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Third Battle of Winchester (or Opequon) was a decisive Union victory during Union General Sheridan’s Valley Campaign. Confederate Army of the Valley led by Jubal Early suffered 4,015 casualties out of 15,514 men. Union casualties were about 5,018 out of 40,000.
painting showing a cavalry charge
Union cavalry overrunning the Confederate lines, Third Battle of Winchester.
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Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, September 29-30, 1864 in Henrico County, Virginia. Union forces under Ulysses Grant defeated Confederates under Robert E. Lee, Union forces suffered 3,372 casualties and Confederates suffered 2,000.
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Confederates defeated again near Petersburg, Battle of Peeble’s Farm, September 30-October 2, 1864.
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Battle of Allatoona, fought October 5, 1864 in Bartow County, Georgia. Confederate attack failed.
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Battle of Darbytown Road, fought October 7, 1864. Robert E. Lee’s Army pushed back from Petersburg to Richmond.
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Battle of Cedar Creek, second major battle of Sheridan’s Valley Campaign. Fought October 19, 1864 in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Confederates suffered another major defeat, 5,665 Union casualties and 2,910 Confederate casualties.
Armed men on horses escorting unarmed men on foot
Confederate cavalry under Sterling Price launched an expedition into Missouri from August 29 – December 2, 1864. Price had some success early in the campaign but was defeated at the Battle of Westport on October 23, 1864.
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“Sherman’s March to the Sea,” November 15 – December 21, 1864, Sherman’s Army moved from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, destroying railroads, killing livestock, and burning farms along the way.
General Sherman’s troops burning a railroad station in Georgia.
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Battle of Franklin, fought November 30, 1864 in Franklin, Tennessee. Confederate Army led by John Bell Hood suffered a crushing defeat attempting to attack the Union Army led by John Schofield. What is known as the “Pickett’s charge of the West,” Confederates losses were 6,252 (1,750 killed) and Union losses were only 2,326 (189 killed).
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Battle of Tulifinny, South Carolina, December 6-9, 1864. Union forces defeated by Confederates right after entering South Carolina from Georgia.
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First Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, Union forces led by Benjamin Butler failed to take fort. December 24-27, 1864.
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After suffering a crushing defeat at the Battle of Franklin, John Bell Hood’s Confederate Army was finished off at the Battle of Nashville, December 15-16, 1864, suffering another 6,000 casualties (1,500 killed). Comparatively, Union losses were 3,061 (387 killed).
Sailors Assault of the fort
Second Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, January 13-15, 1865. After a failed attempt to take the fort during the First Battle of Fort Fisher, Union troops defeated Confederates under Braxton Bragg and Robert Hoke.
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Sherman’s Army advances through the swamp into Bamberg County, South Carolina, February 3, 1865. Start of the Carolinas Campaign.
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Battle of Hatcher’s Run, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, February 5-7, 1865. Picture shows the Union V Corps of Grant’s Army breaking through Robert E. Lee’s Confederate lines.
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The Burning of Columbia, South Carolina by Sherman’s troops, February 17, 1865. Confederate forces under Wade Hampton retreated from the city.
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Front page of the New York Times on February 20, 1865 reporting the capture of Columbia, South Carolina.
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Fort Anderson in Wilmington, North Carolina bombarded by Union navy, February 22, 1865. It was the last fort held by the Confederates.
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Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865 in Johnston County, North Carolina. It was the Battle between the armies of William Sherman and Joseph Johnston. The 21,900 strong army led by Joseph Johnston and Braxton Bragg were defeated by the 60,000 strong army of William Sherman. Confederates suffered 2,606 casualties and Union forces suffered 1,526 casualties. Shortly after this Battle, Johnston’s Army would surrender near Durham, North Carolina.
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Union “Dictator” siege mortar at Petersburg, Virginia.
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Battle of Five Forks, fought April 1, 1865, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Major battle in the Appomattox Campaign. Union forces under Philip Sheridan completely routed Confederates under George Pickett. 2,950 of the Confederates 10,600 men were killed or wounded. Union forces suffered only 830 casualties.
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Building in Selma, Alabama burned by Union troops under James Wilson, April 2, 1865.
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Third Battle of Petersburg, fought April 2, 1865 in near Petersburg, Virginia. Decisive Union victory for Ulysses Grant over Robert E. Lee. Union forces completely broke through the Confederate lines, and Lee was forced to abandon Richmond. Confederates suffered over 5,000 casualties, and General A.P. Hill was killed.
Smoke is still rising from the ruins of Richmond, Virginia after surrendering on April 3, 1865, following the Union victory at the siege of Petersburg. Union cavalry mounts with carbines visible are hitched in the foreground.
Ruins of Richmond, Virginia on April 3, 1865.
Confederate Casualty trenches at Petersburg April 1865
Young Confederate soldier, killed at Petersburg when their lines collapsed on April 2, 1865.
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Abandoned Confederate trench filled with their dead, April 3, 1865, Petersburg.
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Confederate defenses at Petersburg. The Siege of Petersburg would inspire the trench warfare that was used during World War I.
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Union cavalry capturing and destroying the Confederate supply lines, Battle of Amelia Springs, Virginia, April 5, 1865.
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Battle of Sailor’s Creek, April 6, 1865, Amelia and Prince Edward Counties, Virginia. One of the final decisive blows to Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. In this picture Confederate General Ewell and his entire Corps surrendered to Union forces. Out of the 18,500 Confederates 7,700 were killed or captured.
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General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses Grant on April 9, 1865 after the Battle of Appomattox Court House. Entire 26,000 strong Army of Northern Virginia surrendered to Union troops.
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One of the last battles of the war, the Battle of Fort Blakeley, Alabama, April 2-9, 1865. The fort was captured by Union troops and 2,900 of the 4,000 Confederates were killed or wounded.
Painting of Lincoln being shot by Booth while sitting in a theater booth.
Assassination of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.
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Soldiers and their families returning back to their homes that were destroyed during the war. This painting is on display in the town hall of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, a town part of the counties in Southeastern Missouri that were destroyed in August 1863.
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1872 depiction of “carpet bagger.” Carpet baggers were people who came to the Southern States after the war to exploit the people for their own gain.
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Map of the United States by wealth in 1872, showing the devastation of the Southern States during the war. Before the war, the state of the Mississippi was the wealthiest state in the nation, but after the war it became the poorest state in the nation, and still to this day.
Map showing the difference between Southern and Northern States, Counties colored red or black are where 20-40% of the residents live in poverty. This map is from 2024, and the majority of the poor counties are in the South, showing that the South is still affected by the Civil War today.
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The American Civil War remains the bloodiest wars in the history of America, with at least 750,000 soldiers being killed as well over 100,000 Southern civilians. In total close to a million people lost their lives due to the war.

The Albigensian Crusade, The Magna Carta, and Centralization of France

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Massacre of Cathar civilians by French Crusaders.

Albigensianism is a form of Manicheanism which was widely practiced in southern France during the 13th century. The Cathars, a group of people in the French region of Languedoc, practiced this faith based upon the belief that there were two gods, one evil and one good. Moreover, Albigensianism taught that the spirit of a human is good but bodies are evil and keep people’s souls imprisoned. 

In 1207, Raymond of Toulouse, who was going to be one of the leaders of the Crusade, refused to participate in the mission, so the Pope excommunicated him and ordered the King of France, Phillip Augustus, to move against him. In 1208, a papal legate was killed by Raymond’s men after trying to negotiate. Pope Innocent then condemned Raymond as a heretic and a murderer. The following year, Raymond fought with the Cathars against the French Crusaders. Between 1209 and 1229, the Christians massacred between 200,000 and 1 million Cathars in one of the worst genocides in Medieval history. 

King Henry II of England.

Around the time of Kings Henry I (r. 1100-1135) and Henry II (r. 1154-1189), numerous legal sources were practiced and combined. The old Anglo-Saxon laws, canon laws, Norman laws, and Church laws were combined to create a standard common law across the kingdom. Trials, juries, and judges started being used, and the practice of being assumed innocent before being proven guilty also began. 

When Henry I died in 1135, his daughter Matilda became Queen and had a son, Henry. Stephen of Blois, Henry’s nephew, was king between 1135-1154. Henry II then became king in 1154 and tried to extend government control over the Church. He made his friend, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. To his surprise, Becket actually fought for the Church’s independence instead of helping Henry II. After fleeing the country, Becket returned to England in 1170 and was murdered by Henry II’s men. 

Signing of the Magna Carta by King John I of England.

After this incident, people wanted to extend the administration of justice into the royal court and make the king be held accountable for wrong doings. This push for justice was stalled under the rule of King Richard the Lionheart (r. 1189-1199), because he spent little time in England since he was leading the Third Crusade. Later, King John I (r. 1199-1216) had a conflict with the Pope over who could appoint the Bishop of Canterbury. In 1213, John I went on to accept the Pope’s candidate. It wasn’t until 1215, when John I imposed heavy taxes and initiated wars, that English noblemen forced him to sign the Magna Carta, which stated that taxation beyond a certain level was illegal and England’s kings would now be bound by law. The English Parliament was also established during this time in order to help the king rule and avoid tyranny. Under the rule of Henry III (r. 1216-1272), Parliament grew and was comprised of barons, churchmen, and representatives from towns across England. 

During this same period, the French government became more consolidated under the reign of Kings Phillip III (r. 1270-1285) and Phillip the Fair (1285-1314), the latter of whom resurrected old Roman laws, making France a highly centralized nation and demanding that all French noblemen must first pay homage directly to him instead of their local dukes, which used to be the custom. Under his reign, Phillip the Fair imposed heavy taxes, debased the currency, taxed imports and exports, and started many wars. 

King Phillip IV “The Fair” of France.

In 1302, the French created the Estates General, a representative assembly that was supposed to be similar to the English Parliament, but really had no real power. The French wanted France to be the main force in Europe, while also wishing to be independent from the Pope’s rule.

The Great Schism and the Capetian Rule of France

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East-West Schism | Summary, History, & Effects | Britannica
Map of the divide between the Western Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

From early in the history of Christendom, there were five major cities known as “Patriarchates.” Each of these cities had bishops known as “Patriarchs,” who were the five most influential bishops. The five cities were Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. 

The “Great Schism” was the split in the Church between the East (centered in Constantinople) and the West (centered in Rome). This occurred in 1054 because of multiple factors including the East not recognizing the Pope’s authority. There were many differences between the East and West like separate liturgies and language barriers. In the 300s the balance of power shifted towards Constantinople instead of Rome, with Constantinople even being dubbed “New Rome.” In 381 the seat of authority in Constantinople was declared to have “primacy of honor” after Rome, despite Rome not accepting these decrees. 

Anti-Latin sentiment began to spread in the East after the Patriarch of Constantinople Ignatius was deposed for forbidding a man’s communion. A layman named Photius was appointed in only six days, and the Pope sided with Ignatius saying he was unjustly deposed. In 867 Photius declared the Pope excommunicated and guilty of heresy. All Latin churches were closed in Constantinople in 1053 with the East and West splitting officially in 1054. 

Emerging as a new dynasty in France, the Capetians began to gain power in 987. Hugh Capet was the first of the Capetians kings. Despite being King of France, he was weak and held the title in name only, being elected the great lords of the realm. The Capetians had three main goals: acquire full control over the area around Paris, bring additional French territory under their control, and exercise control over the lords of large principalities. Surprisingly, the Capetians managed to accomplish all of this by using strategic marriage policies and grabbing fiefs of deceased vassals who lacked heirs. Vassals who were unfaithful to feudal obligations to the king were dispossessed. Two strong Capetians kings who ruled in the twelfth century were Philip I (1060-1108) and Louis the Fat (1108-1137) started this process. Under another Capetian, Philip II Augustus, France became the dominant power in Europe, highly centralized, and developed a sophisticated administrative system.