| The American Civil War was a time when the nation | | | | to face Confederate generals Joseph Johnston and P. |
| was divided into two groups. One side fought for | | | | Beauregard. The battle ended as the Union army fled |
| freedom and the abortion of slavery while the other | | | | back to Washington D.C. This battle displayed the |
| fought for their perceived birthright of slave | | | | lack of preparedness of both armies. |
| ownership. It was the most unprecedented event in | | | | The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, |
| America's history where the union between Northern | | | | 1862 was the battle between the Union armies and |
| and Southern states was really tested. The war itself | | | | Confederate armies near Sharpsburg, Maryland and |
| ravaged cities, towns and states and has seen more | | | | Antietam Creek. This battle also marked the first |
| than 620,000 casualties suffering on both sides. That | | | | major battle to take place on the Union side of the |
| number far exceeds American deaths from the | | | | North/South line. The casualties for that day mounted |
| Revolution to the Iraq War. | | | | to an all time high of 23,000 casualties. Shortly after |
| For military historians, the Civil War had several | | | | the battle, President Abraham Lincoln issued the |
| battles that defined the character and personal | | | | Emancipation Proclamation. |
| strategy of different generals. From Robert E. Lee, | | | | Of all the battles fought during the Civil War, nothing |
| Ulysses S. Grant to Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, | | | | had a more permanent impact on the outcome of |
| each specific battle displayed the audacity and | | | | the war than the Battle of Gettysburg. Fought July 1 |
| personality of each one. Unlike the battles of today, | | | | to July 3, 1863 in the area surrounding the town of |
| where modern weapons play an important part, the | | | | Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. It was the last offensive |
| battles of the civil war were decided by fast and | | | | ever made by the Confederates led by commanding |
| swift maneuvers on an enemy's flank or exposing | | | | officer, General Robert E. Lee. This battle claimed the |
| and attacking a weak side. It has been said that the | | | | largest number of casualties in the war with the |
| American Civil War had a couple of battles that | | | | estimated number of deaths at 57,225 from both |
| affected the outcome of the whole war. Out of the | | | | sides. This battle also marked General Lee's last |
| many battles during those trying times, three battles | | | | attempt to invade the Northern States. |
| deserve recognition from all the rest. | | | | All of the other Civil War battles are well worth |
| The First Battle of Bull Run was the first large-scale | | | | mentioning, but did not have the impact of the |
| battle fought by the Union and Confederates during | | | | above three battles. Each of these battles played |
| the American Civil War. The battle, fought on July 21, | | | | such a major role in the direction of the war that if |
| 1861, pitted the inexperienced troops of both sides | | | | one battle had of had a different outcome the war |
| to the realities of war. The Union army led by | | | | could well have ended differently, changing the |
| Brigadier General Irvin McDowell crossed into Bull Run | | | | course of America's history. |