1. Early Battles

2. First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
First major bloodshed of the war.
General McDowell led 30,000 inexperienced Union soldiers toward Richmond (Confederate capital)
The battle lasted about five hours.
Confederate forces began to retreat due to losses, except General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson who continued to fight until reinforcements arrived.
The reenergized Confederates pushed McDowell’s forces out of the area.
They could have taken Washington D.C., had they been more organized.
Lincoln replaces Gen. Winfield Scott with George McClellan ( the first of many times he would fire the Commander of the Union army)

3. First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
This battle:
Made the North realize the war would not be a quick, easy victory;
Boosted Confederate morale – they left confident that the war had been won!
General
Mc Dowell
“Stonewall”
Jackson

4. Battle of Shiloh (April 7)
Part of the western campaign (to take control of the Mississippi River) that was launched in February and led by Ulysses S. Grant..
After this battle, generals on both sides rethink their military tactics (send scouts, dig trenches, build forts)
This victory renewed hope for the Union – they might be able to accomplish at least part of the Anaconda Plan (take the Mississippi)!

5. Battle of the Ironclads (March 9, 1862)
Made wooden warships obsolete (outdated).

6. Antietam (September 17)
Bloodiest day in American history (more casualties in one day than War of 1812 and War with Mexico combined)
McClellan later fired for being too cautious.