Civil War Battles: Bull Run to Gettysburg

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was actually one of the shortest major speeches in history, lasting only about two minutes and containing fewer than 272 words. In contrast, the main orator of the day, Edward Everett, spoke for over two hours. Despite its brevity, Lincoln's speech became one of the most famous and influential statements on American democracy.

Pickett's Charge was a massive, failed Confederate infantry assault ordered by General Robert E. Lee on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The Union army successfully repelled this charge, inflicting devastating casualties on the Confederate forces. This decisive defensive victory secured the Union position and marked the turning point of the battle.

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought over the course of three days, from July 1 to July 3, 1863. It involved the largest number of casualties of the entire American Civil War and is widely considered the war's turning point. The battle ended with a crucial Union victory that halted General Lee's invasion of the North.

General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was the most notable casualty of the Battle of Chancellorsville. He was accidentally shot by his own Confederate sentries in the confusion of nightfall and died of pneumonia a few days later after his arm was amputated. His death was a severe blow to General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate war effort.

The Battle of Fredericksburg, fought in December 1862, was a major victory for the Confederate Army (the South) under General Robert E. Lee. The Union Army (the North), led by Major General Ambrose Burnside, suffered heavy casualties during futile frontal assaults against entrenched Confederate positions.

The Battle of Antietam, fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland, is known as the bloodiest single-day battle in American military history. Although the main battle occurred on September 17, 1862, it resulted in over 22,000 casualties.

Following the Union victory at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, Union forces advanced to lay siege to Corinth, Mississippi. Corinth was a vital rail junction, and capturing it allowed the Union to disrupt Confederate supply lines in the West.

The Battle of Shiloh was fought over a two-day period on April 6 and 7, 1862. The Confederate forces launched a surprise attack on the first day, but Union reinforcements arrived overnight to secure a victory on the second day.

The First Battle of Bull Run, fought in July 1861, resulted in a decisive victory for the Confederate forces. The Union retreat turned into a chaotic rout back to Washington, D.C., shattering hopes of a quick end to the war.

The Rebel yell was a distinctive, high-pitched battle cry used by Confederate soldiers during assaults. This eerie and intimidating sound was designed to terrify Union troops and boost Confederate morale on the battlefield.

During the First Battle of Bull Run, Confederate General Thomas Jackson earned the nickname Stonewall when General Bernard Bee rallied his men by pointing out Jackson standing like a stone wall. This nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life and career.

Before the First Battle of Bull Run, many in the North expected a quick and decisive Union victory that would promptly crush the rebellion. Spectators even rode out from Washington, D.C., with picnic baskets to watch what they assumed would be an easy triumph.

The First Battle of Bull Run, fought on July 21, 1861, was the first major land battle of the American Civil War. While Fort Sumter marked the start of hostilities, Bull Run was the first large-scale clash between opposing armies.