List of American Civil War battles facts for kids
The American Civil War was a huge conflict in the United States, fought between April 12, 1861, and May 12–13, 1865. Battles took place in 19 states, mostly in the Southern states like Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Some battles also happened in border states like Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The fighting also spread to the District of Columbia and several territories, including Arizona, Colorado, Dakota, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), New Mexico, and Washington. There were also important battles at sea. Virginia saw many of the most important and decisive battles. These battles forever changed the history of the United States.
Some battles had different names depending on whether you were in the North or the South. For example, the North called battles after natural landmarks like rivers, while the South often named them after nearby towns. The Battle of Antietam (North) was known as the Battle of Sharpsburg (South), and the Second Battle of Bull Run (North) was called the Battle of Manassas (South).
You can find lists of battles grouped by where they happened (called "theaters") here:
- Eastern Theater of the American Civil War
- Western Theater of the American Civil War
- Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
- Pacific Coast Theater of the American Civil War
- Lower Seaboard Theater of the American Civil War
- Category:Battles of the American Civil War
Contents
Important Civil War Battles: What Made Them Special?
The American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) helps protect historic battlefields. In 1993, the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) looked at about 8,000 fights from the war. They picked 384 of the most important battles. The CWSAC also gave each battle a "military significance" rating, from A to D. This helped people understand how much each battle affected the war.
- Class A – Decisive: These were huge battles where a commander achieved a very important goal. The outcome directly changed how the war was going, how long it lasted, or how it was fought.
- Class B – Major: These were big battles involving large groups of soldiers. A commander achieved an important goal within a larger military plan. These battles had a clear impact on a specific campaign.
- Class C – Formative: These battles involved smaller groups of soldiers. Commanders achieved limited goals, like scouting, disrupting enemy plans, defending an area, or taking control of a place. They influenced a campaign.
- Class D – Limited: These were smaller fights, often between smaller groups of soldiers. Commanders achieved small goals, like scouting or holding a position. These battles didn't have a big impact on the overall campaign.
Date | Battle | State | CWSAC | Outcome | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victory | Notes | ||||
April 12–13, 1861 | Battle of Fort Sumter | South Carolina | A | Confederate | The war begins! Confederates take a U.S. fort in Charleston. |
May 18, 1861–19, 1861 | Battle of Sewell's Point | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Union ships and Confederate cannons fight to a draw. |
May 29, 1861 – June 1, 1861 | Battle of Aquia Creek | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Confederate cannons are hit by naval ships. |
June 3, 1861 | Battle of Philippi (West Virginia) | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
D | Union | Union soldiers defeat a small Confederate group. |
June 10, 1861 | Battle of Big Bethel | Virginia | C | Confederate | Union attack on Confederate lines fails. |
June 17, 1861 | Battle of Boonville (Missouri) | Missouri | C | Union | Union forces defeat a pro-Confederate state militia. |
July 2, 1861 | Battle of Hoke's Run | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
D | Union | Union forces win but don't follow up on their victory. |
July 5, 1861 | Battle of Carthage | Missouri | C | Confederate | Confederates win a battle in Missouri. |
July 11, 1861 | Battle of Rich Mountain | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
B | Union | Union forces split and defeat Confederate troops. |
July 18, 1861 | Battle of Blackburn's Ford | Virginia | C | Confederate | A Union scouting mission is defeated. |
July 21, 1861 | First Battle of Bull Run or First Manassas |
Virginia | A | Confederate | Confederates win, and General Jackson earns the nickname "Stonewall". |
August 10, 1861 | Battle of Wilson's Creek or Oak Hills | Missouri | A | Confederate | First major battle west of the Mississippi River. Union General Lyon is killed. |
August 26, 1861 | Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
D | Confederate | Confederates surprise and defeat Union forces. |
August 28–29, 1861 | Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries | North Carolina | C | Union | Union forces capture two forts in North Carolina. |
September 2, 1861 | Battle of Dry Wood Creek | Missouri | D | Confederate | Union cavalry from Kansas are defeated. |
September 10, 1861 | Battle of Carnifex Ferry | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
B | Union | Confederates retreat after hours of fighting. |
September 12–15, 1861 | Battle of Cheat Mountain | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
B | Union | 300 Union soldiers hold off unorganized Confederate attacks. |
September 13–20, 1861 | First Battle of Lexington | Missouri | C | Confederate | Union forces are badly defeated. |
September 17, 1861 | Action at Blue Mills Landing | Missouri | D | Confederate | A small Confederate victory. |
September 19, 1861 | Battle of Barbourville | Kentucky | D | Confederate | Confederates raid a Union recruitment camp. |
October 3, 1861 | Battle of Greenbrier River | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
D | Inconclusive | Confederates retreat after a battle with no clear winner. |
October 9, 1861 | Battle of Santa Rosa Island | Florida | C | Union | Union forces stop a Confederate attempt to capture the island. |
October 21, 1861 | Battle of Camp Wildcat | Kentucky | C | Union | Confederates are chased away. |
October 21, 1861 | Engagement at Fredericktown | Missouri | D | Union | Confederate state militia is defeated. |
October 21, 1861 | Battle of Ball's Bluff or Leesburg | Virginia | B | Confederate | 550 Union soldiers are captured. |
October 25, 1861 | First Battle of Springfield | Missouri | D | Union | Union forces capture the town. |
November 7, 1861 | Battle of Belmont | Missouri | C | Inconclusive | Union General Ulysses S. Grant captures and destroys Confederate supplies. |
November 8, 1861 | Battle of Ivy Mountain | Kentucky | D | Union | Union forces defeat Confederate forces. |
November 19, 1861 | Battle of Round Mountain | Oklahoma (Indian Territory at the time) |
D | Confederate | Union-allied Native American tribes are defeated. |
December 9, 1861 | Battle of Chusto-Talasah | Oklahoma (Indian Territory at the time) |
D | Confederate | Another defeat for Union-allied Native Americans. |
December 13, 1861 | Battle of Camp Allegheny | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
C | Inconclusive | Confederates hold off a Union attack. |
December 17, 1861 | Battle of Rowlett's Station | Kentucky | D | Inconclusive | Union soldiers hold their ground, but Confederates retreat. |
December 20, 1861 | Battle of Dranesville | Virginia | C | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
December 26, 1861 | Battle of Chustenahlah | Oklahoma (Indian Territory at the time) |
B | Confederate | Union-allied Native Americans are defeated again and flee. |
December 28, 1861 | Battle of Mount Zion Church | Missouri | D | Union | Union victory in Missouri. |
January 3, 1862 | Battle of Cockpit Point | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | No clear winner in this Virginia battle. |
January 5–6, 1862 | Battle of Hancock | Maryland | D | Inconclusive | Confederates fail to capture a Maryland town. |
January 8, 1862 | Battle of Roan's Tan Yard | Missouri | D | Union | Confederates are defeated. |
January 10, 1862 | Battle of Middle Creek | Kentucky | C | Union | Union forces under James A. Garfield win. |
January 19, 1862 | Battle of Mill Springs | Kentucky | B | Union | Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer is killed. |
February 6, 1862 | Battle of Fort Henry | Tennessee | B | Union | Grant's forces gain control of the Tennessee River. |
February 7–8, 1862 | Battle of Roanoke Island | North Carolina | B | Union | Union forces capture the island. |
February 11–16, 1862 | Battle of Fort Donelson | Tennessee | A | Union | Grant captures a Confederate army, gaining control of the Cumberland River. |
February 20–21, 1862 | Battle of Valverde | New Mexico (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
B | Confederate | Union forces are defeated in New Mexico Territory. |
February 28 – April 8, 1862 |
Battle of Island Number Ten (Battle of New Madrid) |
Missouri | A | Union | Union victory. |
March 6–8, 1862 | Battle of Pea Ridge or Elkhorn Tavern | Arkansas | A | Union | Union victory ensures Missouri stays under Union control. |
March 8–9, 1862 | Battle of Hampton Roads | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Famous battle between ironclad ships, ends in a draw. |
March 14, 1862 | Battle of New Bern | North Carolina | B | Union | Union troops capture the town. |
March 23, 1862 | First Battle of Kernstown | Virginia | B | Union | Union forces defeat "Stonewall" Jackson's Confederates. |
March 23 – April 26, 1862 | Battle of Fort Macon | North Carolina | C | Union | Confederate fort surrenders after Union cannons bombard it. |
March 26–28, 1862 | Battle of Glorieta Pass | New Mexico (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
A | Union | A tactical draw, but a big Union strategic victory. Called the "Gettysburg of the West." |
April 5 – May 4, 1862 | Siege of Yorktown (1862) (Battle of Yorktown) |
Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Confederate army escapes after a month-long siege. |
April 6–7, 1862 | Battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing | Tennessee | A | Union | A very bloody battle where Union forces push back Confederates. Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston is killed. |
April 10–11, 1862 | Battle of Fort Pulaski | Georgia | B | Union | Union forces capture the fort, closing Savannah, Georgia, to Confederate ships. |
April 18–28, 1862 | Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip | Louisiana | A | Union | A decisive battle for control of New Orleans. |
April 19, 1862 | Battle of South Mills | North Carolina | D | Inconclusive | Confederates stop an attempt to destroy a canal. |
April 25 – May 1, 1862 | Capture of New Orleans | Louisiana | B | Union | Union forces capture the city. |
April 29 – May 30, 1862 | Siege of Corinth | Mississippi | A | Union | Union forces capture the town. |
May 5, 1862 | Battle of Williamsburg | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | No clear winner in this battle between McClellan and Longstreet. |
May 7, 1862 | Battle of Eltham's Landing | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | An inconclusive battle in Virginia. |
May 8, 1862 | Battle of McDowell | Virginia | C | Confederate | Stonewall Jackson's Confederates defeat Union forces. |
May 15, 1862 | Battle of Drewry's Bluff | Virginia | B | Confederate | Union naval attack is stopped by Confederate cannons. |
May 15–17, 1862 | Battle of Princeton Court House | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
C | Confederate | Union forces retreat after trying to take a railroad. |
May 23, 1862 | Battle of Front Royal | Virginia | C | Confederate | Stonewall Jackson threatens the Union, forcing them to retreat. |
May 25, 1862 | First Battle of Winchester | Virginia | A | Confederate | Stonewall Jackson defeats Union forces. |
May 27, 1862 | Battle of Hanover Court House | Virginia | C | Union | Union victory. |
May 31 – June 1, 1862 | Battle of Seven Pines | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Confederate General J.E. Johnston is wounded in this battle with no clear winner. |
June 5, 1862 | Battle of Tranter's Creek | North Carolina | D | Union | Confederate forces retreat. |
June 6, 1862 | First Battle of Memphis | Tennessee | B | Union | Union forces capture the city. |
June 7–8, 1862 | First Battle of Chattanooga | Tennessee | D | Union | Union forces bombard the town. |
June 8, 1862 | Battle of Cross Keys | Virginia | B | Confederate | Union forces are defeated by Stonewall Jackson's army. |
June 9, 1862 | Battle of Port Republic | Virginia | B | Confederate | A costly victory for Stonewall Jackson. |
June 16, 1862 | Battle of Secessionville | South Carolina | B | Confederate | Union attack is stopped. |
June 17, 1862 | Battle of Saint Charles | Arkansas | C | Union | A Union ship is hit and explodes. |
June 21, 1862 | Battle of Simmon's Bluff | South Carolina | D | Union | Union forces destroy a camp; Confederates flee. |
June 25, 1862 | Battle of Oak Grove | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | An indecisive battle during the Seven Days Battles. |
June 26, 1862 | Battle of Beaver Dam Creek or Mechanicsville | Virginia | B | Union | Robert E. Lee's forces are defeated. |
June 27, 1862 | Battle of Gaines' Mill or Chickahominy River | Virginia | A | Confederate | Lee defeats McClellan. |
June 27–28, 1862 | Battle of Garnett's & Golding's Farm | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Another indecisive battle during the Seven Days. |
June 29, 1862 | Battle of Savage's Station | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Union forces retreat. |
June 30 – July 1, 1862 | Battle of Tampa | Florida | D | Confederate | Union ships attack but then withdraw. |
June 30, 1862 | Battle of Glendale | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | McClellan retreats from Lee's Confederates. |
June 30, 1862 | Battle of White Oak Swamp | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | An indecisive artillery fight. |
July 1, 1862 | Battle of Malvern Hill | Virginia | A | Union | McClellan defeats Lee but still retreats. |
July 7, 1862 | Battle of Cotton Plant (Battle of Hill's Plantation) |
Arkansas | D | Union | Union victory in Arkansas. |
July 13, 1862 | First Battle of Murfreesboro | Tennessee | C | Confederate | Confederates disrupt Union supply lines. |
August 5, 1862 | Battle of Baton Rouge | Louisiana | B | Union | Union troops stop an attempt to recapture Baton Rouge. |
August 6–9, 1862 | Battle of Kirksville | Missouri | D | Union | Union forces capture the town. |
August 9, 1862 | First Battle of Donaldsonville | Louisiana | D | Union | Union Navy bombards the town without resistance. |
August 9, 1862 | Battle of Cedar Mountain | Virginia | B | Confederate | Union forces are pushed back by a Confederate counter-attack. |
August 11, 1862 | First Battle of Independence | Missouri | D | Confederate | Confederate victory near Kansas City. |
August 15–16, 1862 | Battle of Lone Jack | Missouri | D | Confederate | Confederate victory, but rebels are forced to withdraw. |
August 21–22, 1862 | Battle of Fort Ridgely | Minnesota | C | Union | Dakota War of 1862: A Native American attack on a Union fort fails. |
August 22–25, 1862 | First Battle of Rappahannock Station | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Union supplies are destroyed during a small fight. |
August 25–27, 1862 | Battle of Manassas Station Ops. | Virginia | B | Confederate | Jackson destroys a key supply point. |
August 28–30, 1862 | Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas |
Virginia | A | Confederate | Lee defeats the Union Army. |
August 28, 1862 | Battle of Thoroughfare Gap | Virginia | C | Confederate | Confederates defeat a small Union force to reach the main battlefield. |
August 30, 1862 | Battle of Richmond (Kentucky) | Kentucky | B | Confederate | Confederates defeat the Union army. |
September 1, 1862 | Battle of Chantilly or Ox Hill | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Union forces are almost cut off; two Union generals are killed. |
September 12–15, 1862 | Battle of Harpers Ferry | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
B | Confederate | Stonewall Jackson captures a Union garrison. |
September 14–17, 1862 | Battle of Munfordville | Kentucky | B | Confederate | A Union force surrenders. |
September 14, 1862 | Battle of South Mountain or Boonsboro | Maryland | B | Union | McClellan defeats Lee. |
September 17, 1862 | Battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg | Maryland | A | Union | The bloodiest single day of the war. McClellan stops Lee's first invasion of the North. |
September 19–20, 1862 | Battle of Shepherdstown | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
C | Confederate | Confederate brigades counterattack and defeat Union brigades. |
September 19, 1862 | Battle of Iuka | Mississippi | C | Union | Union forces win. |
September 23, 1862 | Battle of Wood Lake | Minnesota | C | Union | Dakota War of 1862: A big defeat for Native American forces. |
September 24, 1862 | First Battle of Sabine Pass | Texas | C | Union | Union Navy successfully bombards a Confederate fort. |
September 30, 1862 | First Battle of Newtonia | Missouri | C | Confederate | Union forces panic under Confederate artillery fire. |
October 1–3, 1862 | Battle of Saint John's Bluff | Florida | D | Union | Union troops capture a Confederate battery. |
October 3–4, 1862 | Second Battle of Corinth (Battle of Corinth) |
Mississippi | B | Union | Confederate attack fails. |
October 4, 1862 | Battle of Galveston Harbor (1862) (First Battle of Galveston) |
Texas | D | Union | Galveston is taken by Union forces. |
October 5, 1862 | Battle of Hatchie's Bridge | Tennessee | C | Inconclusive | Confederate forces escape across a river. |
October 8, 1862 | Battle of Perryville or Chaplin Hills | Kentucky | A | Inconclusive | A tactically undecided battle that ended a Confederate campaign in Kentucky. |
October 22, 1862 | Battle of Old Fort Wayne | Oklahoma (Indian Territory at the time) |
D | Union | Confederate forces retreat, giving Union control of Indian Territory. |
October 27, 1862 | Battle of Georgia Landing | Louisiana | C | Union | Confederate forces flee. |
November 7, 1862 | Battle of Clark's Mill | Missouri | D | Confederate | A Union force surrenders to a larger Confederate force. |
November 28, 1862 | Battle of Cane Hill | Arkansas | C | Confederate | A small Confederate force delays Union troops. |
December 7, 1862 | Battle of Prairie Grove | Arkansas | B | Union | Union secures northwest Arkansas. |
December 7, 1862 | Battle of Hartsville | Tennessee | C | Confederate | Confederates, disguised in Union uniforms, defeat Union forces. |
December 13, 1862 | Battle of Fredericksburg | Virginia | A | Confederate | Lee defeats repeated Union attacks. |
December 14, 1862 | Battle of Kinston | North Carolina | D | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
December 16, 1862 | Battle of White Hall | North Carolina | D | Inconclusive | An indecisive battle. |
December 17, 1862 | Battle of Goldsborough Bridge | North Carolina | C | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates and destroy a bridge. |
December 19, 1862 | Battle of Jackson, Tennessee | Tennessee | D | Union | A Confederate trick to distract Union forces. |
December 26–29, 1862 | Battle of Chickasaw Bayou | Mississippi | B | Confederate | Confederates defeat a Union attack. |
December 31, 1862 | Battle of Parker's Cross Roads | Tennessee | C | Confederate | Confederates stop a Union attack. |
December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863 |
Battle of Stones River (Second Battle of Murfreesboro) |
Tennessee | A | Union | Confederates are forced to retreat after heavy losses. |
January 1, 1863 | Battle of Galveston (Second Battle of Galveston) |
Texas | B | Confederate | Confederates push Union troops out of Galveston. |
January 8, 1863 | Second Battle of Springfield | Missouri | D | Union | Confederates enter town but can't take the fort. |
January 9, 1863 | Battle of Arkansas Post (Battle of Fort Hindman) | Arkansas | C | Union | Part of the Vicksburg Campaign, fighting for control of the Arkansas River mouth. |
January 9–11, 1863 | Battle of Hartville | Missouri | D | Confederate | Confederates win but can't continue their raid. |
January 29, 1863 | Bear River Massacre | Idaho (Washington Territory at the time) |
C | Union | American Indian Wars: Union troops massacre Shoshone forces. |
February 3, 1863 | Battle of Dover | Tennessee | D | Union | Confederates fail to attack the town. |
March 5, 1863 | Battle of Fort McAllister (1863) | Georgia | C | Confederate | Confederates hold off Union naval attacks. |
March 5, 1863 | Battle of Thompson's Station | Tennessee | C | Confederate | Confederates win. |
March 13–15, 1863 | Battle of Fort Anderson | North Carolina | D | Union | Confederates fail to attack New Bern. |
March 17, 1863 | Battle of Kelly's Ford | Virginia | C | Confederate | An indecisive cavalry battle. |
March 20, 1863 | Battle of Vaught's Hill | Tennessee | D | Union | Union forces hold off a Confederate attack. |
March 25, 1863 | Battle of Brentwood | Tennessee | D | Confederate | A Union force surrenders. |
March 30 – April 20, 1863 | Battle of Washington, NC | North Carolina | D | Inconclusive | Confederates can't take the North Carolina town. |
April 7, 1863 | First Battle of Charleston Harbor | South Carolina | C | Confederate | Charleston doesn't fall to the Union; Fort Sumter holds. |
April 10, 1863 | Battle of Franklin (1863) | Tennessee | D | Union | Confederates retreat. |
April 11 – May 4, 1863 | Battle of Suffolk (Hill's Point) (Battle of Fort Huger) |
Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Confederate forces are captured. |
April 11 – May 4, 1863 | Battle of Suffolk (Norfleet House); Siege of Suffolk |
Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Two battles fought over Suffolk. |
April 12–13, 1863 | Battle of Fort Bisland | Louisiana | D | Union | Confederate forces retreat. |
April 14, 1863 | Battle of Irish Bend | Louisiana | C | Union | Confederate General Richard Taylor retreats. |
April 17, 1863 | Battle of Vermilion Bayou | Louisiana | D | Union | Confederates retreat due to being outnumbered. |
April 26, 1863 | Battle of Cape Girardeau | Missouri | D | Union | Confederate attack fails. |
April 29, 1863 | Battle of Grand Gulf | Mississippi | C | Confederate | Union naval attack fails. |
April 29 – May 1, 1863 | Battle of Snyder's Bluff | Mississippi | D | Confederate | A Union trick during the Vicksburg Campaign. |
April 30, 1863 | Battle of Day's Gap | Alabama | C | Union | Union victory during a raid. |
April 30 – May 6, 1863 | Battle of Chancellorsville | Virginia | A | Confederate | Lee defeats the Union Army, but Jackson is mortally wounded. |
May 1, 1863 | Battle of Port Gibson | Mississippi | B | Union | Grant defeats Confederates in the Vicksburg campaign. |
May 1–2, 1863 | Battle of Chalk Bluff | Arkansas | D | Confederate | Confederates win but can't continue their raid. |
May 3, 1863 | Second Battle of Fredericksburg | Virginia | B | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates guarding the town. |
May 3–4, 1863 | Battle of Salem Church | Virginia | B | Confederate | Lee defeats Union forces. |
May 12, 1863 | Battle of Raymond | Mississippi | B | Union | Confederates fail to protect Vicksburg. |
May 14, 1863 | Battle of Jackson, Mississippi | Mississippi | B | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
May 16, 1863 | Battle of Champion Hill | Mississippi | A | Union | Grant defeats Confederate General Pemberton. |
May 17, 1863 | Battle of Big Black River Bridge | Mississippi | B | Union | Confederate forces are trapped in Vicksburg. |
May 18 – July 4, 1863 | Siege of Vicksburg | Mississippi | A | Union | Grant accepts the surrender of a Confederate army. |
May 21, 1863 | Battle of Plains Store | Louisiana | C | Union | Union victory near Baton Rouge. |
May 21 – July 9, 1863 | Siege of Port Hudson | Louisiana | A | Union | The last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River surrenders. |
June 7, 1863 | Battle of Milliken's Bend | Louisiana | C | Union | In a battle with many Black troops, Confederates are defeated. |
June 9, 1863 | Battle of Brandy Station | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Union cavalry surprises Confederate cavalry. |
June 9, 1863 | Battle of Lake Providence | Louisiana | D | Union | Confederates retreat. |
June 13–15, 1863 | Second Battle of Winchester | Virginia | B | Confederate | Confederate victory opens the way for Lee's invasion of the North. |
June 17, 1863 | Battle of Aldie | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | An indecisive battle during Lee's march north. |
June 17–19, 1863 | Battle of Middleburg | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Confederate cavalry retreats. |
June 20–21, 1863 | Battle of LaFourche Crossing | Louisiana | D | Union | Confederates retreat. |
June 21, 1863 | Battle of Upperville | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | An indecisive cavalry battle during Lee's invasion. |
June 24–26, 1863 | Battle of Hoover's Gap | Tennessee | C | Union | Union victory prevents Confederates from helping Vicksburg. |
June 28, 1863 | Second Battle of Donaldsonville | Louisiana | D | Union | Confederate forces fail to take Fort Butler. |
June 29–30, 1863 | Battle of Goodrich's Landing | Louisiana | D | Inconclusive | Confederates drive Union Black Regiments from plantations. |
June 30, 1863 | Battle of Hanover | Pennsylvania | C | Inconclusive | Confederate cavalry is delayed, affecting the Gettysburg campaign. |
July 1–2, 1863 | Battle of Cabin Creek | Oklahoma (Indian Territory at the time) |
C | Union | Union forces make Confederate forces flee. |
July 1–3, 1863 | Battle of Gettysburg | Pennsylvania | A | Union | Lee loses to Meade; Pickett's Charge fails, ending the second invasion of the North. |
July 4, 1863 | Battle of Helena | Arkansas | B | Union | Confederate attack fails, securing eastern Arkansas for the Union. |
July 6–16, 1863 | Battle of Williamsport | Maryland | C | Inconclusive | Meade and Lee fight an indecisive battle. |
July 8, 1863 | Battle of Boonsboro | Maryland | D | Inconclusive | An indecisive action during Lee's retreat. |
July 9, 1863 | Battle of Corydon | Indiana | C | Confederate | A Confederate raid causes civilian casualties. |
July 11, 1863 | Battle of Fort Wagner | South Carolina | D | Confederate | First Union attempt to take Fort Wagner fails. |
July 12–13, 1863 | Battle of Kock's Plantation | Louisiana | C | Confederate | Union troops retreat. |
July 16, 1863 | Battle of Grimball's Landing | South Carolina | D | Inconclusive | Union troops retreat from James Island. |
July 17, 1863 | Battle of Honey Springs | Oklahoma (Indian Territory at the time) |
B | Union | Union victory in a battle involving mostly Black and Native American forces. |
July 18, 1863 | Second Battle of Fort Wagner (Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island) |
South Carolina | B | Confederate | Second Union attempt to take Fort Wagner fails, but the 54th Massachusetts shows great bravery. |
July 19, 1863 | Battle of Buffington Island | Ohio | C | Union | Confederates are captured after failing to escape. |
July 23, 1863 | Battle of Manassas Gap | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | An indecisive battle; Confederates withdraw at night. |
July 24–25, 1863 | Battle of Big Mound | North Dakota (Dakota Territory at the time) |
C | Union | Dakota War of 1862: Union forces defeat Native American tribes. |
July 26, 1863 | Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake | North Dakota (Dakota Territory at the time) |
D | Union | Sioux Wars/Dakota War of 1862: Union forces defeat Native American forces. |
July 26, 1863 | Battle of Salineville | Ohio | D | Union | Confederate General John Hunt Morgan surrenders in Ohio. This was the northernmost battle of the Civil War. |
July 28, 1863 | Battle of Stony Lake | North Dakota (Dakota Territory at the time) |
D | Union | Dakota War of 1862: Native American forces escape Union pursuit. |
August 17 – September 9, 1863 |
Second Battle of Fort Sumter | South Carolina | B | Confederate | Union's huge bombardment and naval attack fails to retake the fort. |
July 18 – September 7, 1863 |
Second Battle of Charleston Harbor | South Carolina | B | Inconclusive | Fort Wagner falls to the Union, but Confederates still hold Charleston and Fort Sumter. |
August 21 – September 8, 1863 |
Second Battle of Chattanooga | Tennessee | D | Union | Union captures the town. |
August 23, 1863 | Lawrence Massacre (Quantrill's Raid) |
Kansas | C | Confederate | Confederate raiders attack and loot the city. |
September 1, 1863 | Battle of Devil's Backbone | Arkansas | C | Union | Union victory after heavy fighting. |
September 3–5, 1863 | Battle of Whitestone Hill | North Dakota (Dakota Territory at the time) |
D | Union | Sioux Wars/Dakota War of 1862: Union forces defeat several Native American tribes. |
September 8, 1863 | Second Battle of Sabine Pass | Texas | B | Confederate | Confederates use stakes in the river to help aim their guns at Union ships. |
September 10, 1863 | Battle of Bayou Fourche | Arkansas | B | Union | Union victory allows them to capture Little Rock. |
September 10–11, 1863 | Battle of Davis's Cross Roads | Georgia | C | Union | Union forces set up defenses before the Battle of Chickamauga. |
September 19–20, 1863 | Battle of Chickamauga | Georgia | A | Confederate | Confederates win, but Union General George Thomas earns the nickname "The Rock of Chickamauga." |
September 22, 1863 | Battle of Blountville (Battle of Blountsville) |
Tennessee | D | Union | Union forces capture the town. |
September 29, 1863 | Battle of Stirling's Plantation | Louisiana | C | Confederate | Federal troops surrender after being surrounded by Confederate cavalry. |
October 6, 1863 | Battle of Baxter Springs | Kansas | C | Confederate | Confederate raiders massacre Union Black Troops. |
October 10, 1863 | Battle of Blue Springs | Tennessee | D | Union | Confederate forces are defeated. |
October 13, 1863 | First Battle of Auburn | Virginia | D | Union | Confederate cavalry escapes by hiding. |
October 14, 1863 | Battle of Bristoe Station | Virginia | B | Union | Union forces defeat parts of Lee's army. |
October 14, 1863 | Second Battle of Auburn | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Confederates attack Union rear, no clear winner. |
October 16–18, 1863 | Battle of Fort Brooke | Florida | D | Union | Union troops raid and burn blockade runner ships. |
October 19, 1863 | Battle of Buckland Mills | Virginia | D | Confederate | Union cavalry is ambushed and defeated. |
October 25, 1863 | Battle of Pine Bluff | Arkansas | D | Union | Confederate attack fails. |
October 28–29, 1863 | Battle of Wauhatchie | Tennessee | B | Union | Confederates are defeated by Union forces. |
November 3, 1863 | Battle of Collierville | Tennessee | D | Union | Confederates fail to attack the town. |
November 6, 1863 | Battle of Droop Mountain | West Virginia | B | Union | Union troops force Confederates to retreat. |
November 7, 1863 | Second Battle of Rappahannock Station | Virginia | B | Union | Union forces cross the river, forcing Lee to retreat. |
November 16, 1863 | Battle of Campbell's Station | Tennessee | D | Union | Confederate attack fails. |
November 24, 1863 | Battle of Lookout Mountain | Tennessee | A | Union | Union forces take Lookout Mountain in the "Battle Above the Clouds." |
November 25, 1863 | Battle of Missionary Ridge | Tennessee | A | Union | Grant defeats the Confederate army, ending the siege of Chattanooga. |
November 27 – December 2, 1863 |
Battle of Mine Run | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Meade bombards Confederates but then retreats. |
November 27, 1863 | Battle of Ringgold Gap | Georgia | B | Confederate | Confederates defeat Union forces. |
November 29, 1863 | Battle of Fort Sanders | Tennessee | B | Union | Confederates can't take the fort. |
December 14, 1863 | Battle of Bean's Station | Tennessee | D | Confederate | Union forces retreat a short distance. |
December 29, 1863 | Battle of Mossy Creek | Tennessee | D | Union | Confederate cavalry is pushed back. |
January 17, 1864 | Battle of Dandridge | Tennessee | C | Confederate | Union forces withdraw. |
January 26, 1864 | Battle of Athens | Alabama | D | Union | Union victory in Northern Alabama. |
January 27, 1864 | Battle of Fair Garden | Tennessee | C | Inconclusive | Union victory followed by withdrawal. |
February 6–7, 1864 | Battle of Morton's Ford | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | A Union attack meant to distract the enemy. |
February 13, 1864 | Battle of Middle Boggy Depot | Oklahoma (Indian Territory at the time) |
D | Union | Union troops defeat Confederate forces. |
February 14–20, 1864 | Battle of Meridian | Mississippi | C | Union | Sherman occupies the town. |
February 20, 1864 | Battle of Olustee | Florida | B | Confederate | Union fails to take Florida. |
February 22, 1864 | Battle of Okolona | Mississippi | B | Confederate | Confederate cavalry defeats a much larger Union cavalry force. |
February 22–27, 1864 | First Battle of Dalton | Georgia | C | Confederate | Confederates repel Union attacks, but Union gains important information. |
March 2, 1864 | Battle of Walkerton | Virginia | C | Confederate | A battle with controversy. |
March 12–14, 1864 | Battle of Fort DeRussy | Louisiana | B | Union | Fort DeRussy falls, opening the Red River. |
March 25, 1864 | Battle of Paducah | Kentucky | C | Confederate | A successful Confederate raid. |
April 3–4, 1864 | Battle of Elkin's Ferry | Arkansas | C | Union | Confederates can't stop Union forces from crossing the river. |
April 8, 1864 | Battle of Mansfield or Sabine Cross Roads | Louisiana | A | Confederate | Confederates stop the Union Red River Campaign. |
April 9–13, 1864 | Battle of Prairie D'Ane | Arkansas | B | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
April 9, 1864 | Battle of Pleasant Hill | Louisiana | B | Union | Confederate attack fails. |
April 12, 1864 | Battle of Fort Pillow | Tennessee | B | Confederate | Confederates take the fort and massacre Black soldiers. |
April 12–13, 1864 | Battle of Blair's Landing | Louisiana | C | Union | Confederate forces retreat after naval bombardments. |
April 17, 1864 | Battle of Plymouth | North Carolina | C | Confederate | Confederate forces retake two Union forts. |
April 18, 1864 | Battle of Poison Spring | Arkansas | C | Confederate | Part of the Red River Campaign; Black troops are massacred. |
April 23, 1864 | Battle of Monett's Ferry | Louisiana | C | Union | Confederate forces are pushed back. |
April 25, 1864 | Battle of Marks' Mills | Arkansas | D | Confederate | Part of the Red River Campaign. |
April 30, 1864 | Battle of Jenkins' Ferry | Arkansas | C | Union | Part of the Red River Campaign. |
May 5, 1864 | Battle of Albemarle Sound | North Carolina | C | Inconclusive | An indecisive naval battle. |
May 5–7, 1864 | Battle of the Wilderness | Virginia | A | Inconclusive | Grant and Lee fight to an inconclusive draw. |
May 6–7, 1864 | Battle of Port Walthall Junction | Virginia | C | Union | Union forces destroy a railroad. |
May 7–13, 1864 | Battle of Rocky Face Ridge | Georgia | C | Union | Confederates are forced to leave their strong position. |
May 8–21, 1864 | Battle of Spotsylvania Court House | Virginia | A | Inconclusive | Grant and Lee fight inconclusively; Grant says he will "fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." |
May 9, 1864 | Battle of Swift Creek | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Union forces damage a railroad but are stopped. |
May 9, 1864 | Battle of Cloyd's Mountain | Virginia | C | Union | Union victory; a Confederate general is killed. |
May 10, 1864 | Battle of Chester Station | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Union forces are pushed back. |
May 10, 1864 | Battle of Cove Mountain | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Union forces escape a Confederate attack. |
May 11, 1864 | Battle of Yellow Tavern | Virginia | C | Union | Union forces win a cavalry battle; Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart is mortally wounded. |
May 12–16, 1864 | Battle of Proctor's Creek | Virginia | B | Confederate | Confederates defeat Union forces. |
May 13, 1864 | Battle of Resaca | Georgia | C | Inconclusive | Sherman defeats Johnston. |
May 15, 1864 | Battle of New Market | Virginia | B | Confederate | Confederate forces stop a Union advance. |
May 16, 1864 | Battle of Mansura | Louisiana | C | Union | Confederates are flanked and forced to retreat. |
May 17, 1864 | Battle of Adairsville | Georgia | C | Union | Confederates fail to destroy part of the Union force. |
May 18, 1864 | Battle of Yellow Bayou | Louisiana | C | Union | Both sides fight to a draw. |
May 20, 1864 | Battle of Ware Bottom Church | Virginia | C | Confederate | Confederates trap Union forces. |
May 23–26, 1864 | Battle of North Anna | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Lee outmaneuvers Grant, but can't take advantage due to illness. |
May 24, 1864 | Battle of Wilson's Wharf | Virginia | D | Union | Confederates are defeated by two Union Black regiments. |
May 25–26, 1864 | Battle of New Hope Church | Georgia | C | Confederate | Union forces are defeated. |
May 26 – June 4, 1864 | Battle of Dallas (Georgia) | Georgia | C | Union | Confederate withdrawal in Georgia. |
May 27, 1864 | Battle of Pickett's Mill | Georgia | C | Confederate | Sherman's attack on Johnston fails. |
May 28, 1864 | Battle of Haw's Shop | Virginia | C | Union | Union advance is stopped. |
May 28–30, 1864 | Battle of Totopotomoy Creek | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Union forces are pushed back. |
May 30, 1864 | Battle of Old Church | Virginia | C | Union | Union forces push Confederates back. |
May 31 – June 12, 1864 |
Battle of Cold Harbor | Virginia | A | Confederate | Lee repels Grant's attacks, leading to heavy Union losses. |
June 5, 1864 | Battle of Piedmont | Virginia | B | Union | Union forces defeat Confederate defenses. |
June 6, 1864 | Battle of Old River Lake | Arkansas | C | Union | Confederates fail to stop Union advance. |
June 6 – July 3, 1864 | Battle of Marietta | Georgia | B | Union | Confederates retreat; a Confederate general is killed. |
June 9, 1864 | First Battle of Petersburg | Virginia | D | Confederate | Confederates defeat Union forces. |
June 10, 1864 | Battle of Brice's Crossroads | Mississippi | B | Confederate | Confederate cavalry defeats a much larger Union force. |
June 11–12, 1864 | Battle of Cynthiana | Kentucky | C | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
June 11–12, 1864 | Battle of Trevilian Station | Virginia | B | Confederate | Confederate victory; George Armstrong Custer is almost surrounded. |
June 15–18, 1864 | Second Battle of Petersburg | Virginia | A | Confederate | Lee repels Grant's attacks at Petersburg. |
June 17–18, 1864 | Battle of Lynchburg | Virginia | B | Confederate | Fake Confederate reinforcements lead to Union retreat. |
June 21–24, 1864 | Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road | Virginia | B | Inconclusive | Union siege lines are extended. |
June 22, 1864 | Battle of Kolb's Farm | Georgia | C | Union | Confederate attack fails due to difficult terrain. |
June 24, 1864 | Battle of Saint Mary's Church | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Union forces successfully delay the Confederates. |
June 25, 1864 | Battle of Staunton River Bridge | Virginia | C | Confederate | Union troops fail to take the bridge. |
June 27, 1864 | Battle of Kennesaw Mountain | Georgia | B | Confederate | Johnston repels Sherman. |
June 28, 1864 | Battle of Sappony Church | Virginia | D | Confederate | Union forces are forced into a chaotic retreat. |
June 29, 1864 | First Battle of Ream's Station | Virginia | C | Confederate | Confederates defeat Union cavalry. |
July 9, 1864 | Battle of Monocacy (Battle of Monocacy Junction) |
Maryland | B | Confederate | Union General Lew Wallace slows down Confederates, saving Washington, D.C. |
July 11–12, 1864 | Battle of Fort Stevens | District of Columbia | B | Union | Confederates fail to capture Washington, D.C. President Abraham Lincoln watches the battle. |
July 14–15, 1864 | Battle of Tupelo | Mississippi | B | Union | Confederate forces are defeated. |
July 18–19, 1864 | Battle of Cool Spring | Virginia | C | Confederate | Union forces retreat after being surrounded. |
July 20, 1864 | Battle of Peachtree Creek | Georgia | B | Union | First Confederate attack against Union forces near Atlanta fails. |
July 20, 1864 | Battle of Rutherford's Farm | Virginia | D | Union | Confederates are surprised and defeated. |
July 22, 1864 | Battle of Atlanta | Georgia | B | Union | Sherman defeats a Confederate attack east of Atlanta. |
July 24, 1864 | Second Battle of Kernstown | Virginia | B | Confederate | Confederates defeat Union forces. |
July 27–29, 1864 | First Battle of Deep Bottom | Virginia | C | Confederate | Confederates hold their ground against Union attacks. |
July 28, 1864 | Battle of Ezra Church | Georgia | B | Union | Confederate attack on Union forces fails. Union victory. |
July 28–29, 1864 | Battle of Killdeer Mountain |
North Dakota (Dakota Territory at the time) |
C | Union | Sioux Wars/Dakota War of 1862: Union forces defeat Native Americans. |
July 30, 1864 | Battle of the Crater | Virginia | A | Confederate | Lee defeats Union forces after a mine explosion. |
August 1, 1864 | Battle of Folck's Mill | Maryland | D | Inconclusive | An indecisive battle. |
August 2–23, 1864 | Battle of Mobile Bay | Alabama | A | Union | Union Admiral David Farragut captures the port. |
August 5–7, 1864 | Battle of Utoy Creek | Georgia | C | Inconclusive | An indecisive battle near Atlanta. |
August 7, 1864 | Battle of Moorefield | West Virginia | C | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
August 14–15, 1864 | Second Battle of Dalton | Georgia | D | Union | Union forces hold off an attack. |
August 14–20, 1864 | Second Battle of Deep Bottom | Virginia | B | Confederate | Confederates push back Union forces. |
August 16, 1864 | Battle of Guard Hill | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Union forces counterattack, leading to a chaotic Confederate retreat. |
August 18–21, 1864 | Battle of Globe Tavern | Virginia | B | Union | Confederate forces lose control of railroads at Petersburg. |
August 20, 1864 | Battle of Lovejoy's Station | Georgia | D | Confederate | Confederates stop Union raiders. |
August 21, 1864 | Second Battle of Memphis | Tennessee | C | Union | A partially successful Confederate raid. |
August 21, 1864 | Battle of Summit Point | West Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Union and Confederate forces fight to a draw. |
August 25, 1864 | Second Battle of Ream's Station | Virginia | B | Confederate | Union lines are overrun by Confederates. |
August 25–29, 1864 | Battle of Smithfield Crossing | West Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Confederates defeat a small Union group, but a Union counterattack stops them. |
August 31 – September 1, 1864 |
Battle of Jonesborough | Georgia | A | Union | Confederates are defeated, leading to the fall of Atlanta. |
September 3–4, 1864 | Battle of Berryville | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Confederates initially push back Union forces, but then retreat. |
September 19, 1864 | Battle of Opequon (Third Battle of Winchester) |
Virginia | A | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
September 21–22, 1864 | Battle of Fisher's Hill | Virginia | B | Union | Successful Union attack. |
September 27, 1864 | Battle of Fort Davidson (Battle of Pilot Knob) | Missouri | B | Union | Union forces blow up their own fort after losing to Confederates. |
September 29–30, 1864 | Battle of Chaffin's Farm (New Market Heights) |
Virginia | B | Union | Union forces win but don't capture all forts. |
September 30 – October 2, 1864 | Battle of Peebles' Farm | Virginia | B | Union | Union victory near Petersburg. |
October 1–3, 1864 | First Battle of Saltville | Virginia | C | Confederate | Confederates defeat Union Black Cavalry; war crimes are committed. |
October 5, 1864 | Battle of Allatoona | Georgia | B | Union | Union fortifications hold. |
October 7, 1864 | Battle of Darbytown and New Market | Virginia | C | Union | Confederates retreat to Richmond. |
October 9, 1864 | Battle of Tom's Brook | Virginia | C | Union | Union cavalry defeats Confederates. |
October 13, 1864 | Battle of Darbytown Road | Virginia | D | Confederate | Union attack on Confederate forts is stopped. |
October 15, 1864 | Battle of Glasgow | Missouri | C | Confederate | Union forces surrender. |
October 19, 1864 | Second Battle of Lexington | Missouri | D | Confederate | Union forces are driven out of town. |
October 19, 1864 | Battle of Cedar Creek | Virginia | A | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates and drive them from the Shenandoah Valley. |
October 21, 1864 | Battle of Little Blue River | Missouri | D | Confederate | Confederate victory in Missouri. |
October 22–23, 1864 | Battle of Byram's Ford | Missouri | B | Union | Confederates are defeated. |
October 22, 1864 | Second Battle of Independence | Missouri | C | Inconclusive | Union forces occupy the town. |
October 23, 1864 | Battle of Westport | Missouri | A | Union | Union forces win a decisive battle to control Missouri. |
October 25, 1864 | Battle of Marais des Cygnes | Kansas | C | Union | Confederates are chased into Kansas. |
October 25, 1864 | Battle of Mine Creek | Kansas | C | Union | Confederate army is crushed and flees. |
October 25, 1864 | Battle of Marmiton River | Missouri | D | Union | Confederates escape Union pursuit. |
October 26–29, 1864 | Battle of Decatur | Alabama | C | Union | Confederates can't cross the river. |
October 27–28, 1864 | Battle of Boydton Plank Road | Virginia | B | Confederate | Union forces take control of a road but then withdraw. |
October 27–28, 1864 | Battle of Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road | Virginia | C | Confederate | Confederates stop a Union attack. |
October 28, 1864 | Second Battle of Newtonia | Missouri | B | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
November 4–5, 1864 | Battle of Johnsonville | Tennessee | B | Confederate | Confederates bombard Union forces. |
November 11–13, 1864 | Battle of Bull's Gap | Tennessee | D | Confederate | A small Confederate victory. |
November 22, 1864 | Battle of Griswoldville | Georgia | B | Union | Sherman's march to the sea continues. |
November 24, 1864 | Battle of Columbia | Tennessee | C | Confederate | Confederates distract Union forces. |
November 28, 1864 | Battle of Buck Head Creek | Georgia | C | Union | Union forces stop a Confederate attack. |
November 29, 1864 | Battle of Spring Hill | Tennessee | B | Union | Confederate mistakes allow Union forces to move, leading to the Battle of Franklin. |
November 29, 1864 | Sand Creek massacre | Colorado (Colorado Territory at the time) |
B | Union | Colorado War: U.S. forces massacre Cheyenne and Arapaho. |
November 30, 1864 | Battle of Honey Hill | South Carolina | C | Confederate | A Union attempt to cut off a railroad fails. |
November 30, 1864 | Battle of Franklin (1864) | Tennessee | A | Union | Confederates suffer huge losses in a battle similar to Pickett's Charge. |
December 4, 1864 | Battle of Waynesboro, Georgia | Georgia | C | Union | Union forces stop Confederates from attacking Sherman. |
December 5–7, 1864 | Third Battle of Murfreesboro | Tennessee | D | Union | Confederate raid is mostly unsuccessful. |
December 7–27, 1864 | First Battle of Fort Fisher | North Carolina | C | Confederate | Union fails to take the fort. |
December 13, 1864 | Second Battle of Fort McAllister | Georgia | B | Union | Union forces capture Fort McAllister. |
December 15–16, 1864 | Battle of Nashville | Tennessee | A | Union | Union forces almost completely destroy the Confederate Army of Tennessee. |
December 17–18, 1864 | Battle of Marion | Virginia | D | Union | Union forces destroy important buildings. |
December 20–21, 1864 | Second Battle of Saltville | Virginia | C | Union | Confederate forces retreat, and Union troops destroy the saltworks. |
January 13–15, 1865 | Second Battle of Fort Fisher | North Carolina | A | Union | Union takes the fort. |
February 3, 1865 | Battle of Rivers' Bridge | South Carolina | D | Union | Union forces capture a river crossing. |
February 5–7, 1865 | Battle of Hatcher's Run | Virginia | B | Union | Union forces launch a surprise attack. |
February 22, 1865 | Battle of Wilmington (North Carolina) | North Carolina | D | Union | The last Confederate port falls. |
March 2, 1865 | Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia | Virginia | B | Union | The last Confederate army in the valley is destroyed. |
March 6, 1865 | Battle of Natural Bridge | Florida | C | Confederate | Confederate victory prevents the capture of Tallahassee. |
March 7–10, 1865 | Battle of Wyse Fork | North Carolina | D | Union | Confederate attacks are stopped by Union cannons. |
March 10, 1865 | Battle of Monroe's Cross Roads | North Carolina | D | Inconclusive | Confederates delay Union cavalry. |
March 16, 1865 | Battle of Averasborough | North Carolina | C | Inconclusive | Both Union and Confederate attacks fail. |
March 19–21, 1865 | Battle of Bentonville | North Carolina | A | Union | Sherman defeats Confederates. |
March 25, 1865 | Battle of Fort Stedman | Virginia | A | Union | Lee tries to break the siege but fails. |
March 27 – April 8, 1865 | Battle of Spanish Fort | Alabama | B | Union | Union forces capture a fort east of Mobile. |
March 29, 1865 | Battle of Lewis's Farm | Virginia | C | Union | Union forces capture Confederate defenses. |
March 31, 1865 | Battle of White Oak Road | Virginia | B | Union | Confederate forces are defeated. |
March 31, 1865 | Battle of Dinwiddie Court House | Virginia | C | Confederate | Confederates defeat Union cavalry. |
April 1, 1865 | Battle of Five Forks | Virginia | A | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
April 2, 1865 | Battle of Selma | Alabama | B | Union | Union forces defeat Confederates. |
April 2, 1865 | Third Battle of Petersburg | Virginia | A | Union | Grant defeats Lee. |
April 2, 1865 | Battle of Sutherland's Station | Virginia | C | Union | Lee's supply lines are cut. |
April 3, 1865 | Battle of Namozine Church | Virginia | D | Inconclusive | Several Confederates are captured. |
April 5, 1865 | Battle of Amelia Springs | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Confederates force Union troops to retreat, but Union forces link up. |
April 6, 1865 | Battle of Rice's Station | Virginia | D | Union | Confederate forces are surprised. |
April 6, 1865 | Battle of Sayler's Creek (or Sailor's Creek) |
Virginia | B | Union | Lee realizes his army is almost defeated. |
April 6–7, 1865 | Battle of High Bridge | Virginia | C | Inconclusive | Union forces stop Lee's attempts to burn bridges and resupply. |
April 7, 1865 | Battle of Cumberland Church | Virginia | C | Confederate | Union attack on Confederate rear is cut short by darkness. |
April 8, 1865 | Battle of Appomattox Station | Virginia | B | Union | Union forces stop Lee's final attempt to resupply. |
April 9, 1865 | Battle of Appomattox Court House | Virginia | A | Union | Lee's forces are surrounded, and he surrenders. |
April 9, 1865 | Battle of Fort Blakeley | Alabama | A | Union | Union forces capture a fort east of Mobile. |
May 12–13, 1865 | Battle of Palmito Ranch | Texas | D | Confederate | The last land battle of the Civil War, fought in Texas. |
Other Battles: USA vs. CSA
Here are some other battles and small fights between Union and Confederate forces that were not rated by the CWSAC.
Date | Battle | State | Outcome | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Victory | Notes | |||
May 7, 1861 | Battle of Gloucester Point | Virginia | Inconclusive | Early exchange of gunfire between Union Navy and Confederates. |
June 5, 1861 | Battle of Pig Point | Virginia | Confederate | Early fight between a Union gunboat and Confederate defenders. |
June 19, 1861 | Battle of Cole Camp | Missouri | Confederate | Pro-Confederate militia defeats pro-Union militia. |
June 27, 1861 | Battle of Mathias Point | Virginia | Confederate | Confederates stop a Union attack; a Union Navy officer is killed. |
July 13, 1861 | Battle of Corrick's Ford | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
Union | A Confederate general is the first general killed in the Civil War. |
July 25, 1861 | First Battle of Mesilla | New Mexico (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Confederate | Confederate victory secures southern New Mexico Territory. |
August 5, 1861 | Battle of Athens | Missouri / Iowa | Union | Union victory in a small fight. |
August 19, 1861 | Battle of Charleston (1861) (Missouri) | Missouri | Union | Union forces destroy a Confederate camp. |
September 24–25, 1861 | Battle of Canada Alamosa | New Mexico (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Confederate | Small cavalry fights near the border. |
October 5, 1861 | Battle of Cockle Creek | Virginia | Union | Confederate smuggling ends. |
October 12, 1861 | Battle of the Head of Passes | Louisiana | Confederate | Naval forces face off at the Mississippi River mouth. |
November 3–7, 1861 | Battle of Port Royal | South Carolina | Union | Union fleet captures Confederate forts. |
December 19, 1861 | Skirmish at Blackwater Creek | Missouri | Union | Union forces capture a Confederate regiment. |
December 28, 1861 | Battle of Sacramento | Kentucky | Confederate | Nathan Bedford Forrest's first victory. |
February 10, 1862 | Battle of Elizabeth City | North Carolina | Union | Confederate "Mosquito Fleet" is destroyed. |
March 30, 1862 | Battle of Stanwix Station | Arizona (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Union | Westernmost small fight of the war. |
April 14, 1862 | Battle of Peralta | New Mexico (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Union | Union forces defeat Confederate cavalry. |
April 15, 1862 | Battle of Picacho Pass | Arizona (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Confederate | Confederate guards defeat Union cavalry. |
May 19, 1862 | Battle of Whitney's Lane | Arkansas | Union | Union advance towards Little Rock is stopped. |
May 20, 1862 | Capture of Tucson (1862) | Arizona (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Union | Union forces take the city without a fight. |
May 29, 1862 | First Battle of Pocotaligo | South Carolina | Union | Union objective achieved: railroad bridge damaged. |
August 10, 1862 | Battle of the Nueces | Texas | Confederate | Union forces are massacred by Confederates. |
August 11, 1862 | Battle of Compton's Ferry | Missouri | Union | Union forces defeat retreating Confederates. |
September 1, 1862 | Battle of Britton's Lane | Tennessee | Union | Confederates suffer heavy losses. |
September 13, 1862 | Battle of Charleston (1862) | West Virginia (Virginia at the time) |
Confederate | Confederate troops occupy Charleston. |
September 14, 1862 | Battle of Crampton's Gap | Maryland | Union | Union forces break the Confederate line. |
October 22, 1862 | Battle of Pocotaligo | South Carolina | Confederate | Union troops are pushed back after minor damage to a railroad. |
October 27–29, 1862 | Skirmish at Island Mound | Missouri | Union | Confederate attack fails. |
December 28, 1862 | Battle of Van Buren | Arkansas | Union | Union forces secure Northwest Arkansas. |
February 3 – April 12, 1863 |
Yazoo Pass Expedition | Mississippi | Confederate | A Union flanking maneuver is stopped by Confederates. |
April 30, 1863 | Battle of Day's Gap | Alabama | Confederate | Cavalry fight between Nathan Bedford Forrest and Union Colonel Abel Streight. |
June 27, 1863 | Battle of Portland Harbor | Maine | Union | A naval engagement. |
June 30, 1863 | Battle of Sporting Hill | Pennsylvania | Inconclusive | Small fight, the northernmost land action of Lee's army. |
July 1, 1863 | Battle of Carlisle | Pennsylvania | Inconclusive | A small but important fight during the Gettysburg Campaign. |
July 2, 1863 | Battle of Hunterstown | Pennsylvania | Inconclusive | Minor cavalry fight during the Gettysburg Campaign. |
July 3, 1863 | Battle of Fairfield | Pennsylvania | Confederate | Cavalry fight that secured an important road. |
July 4, 1863 | Battle of Tebbs Bend | Kentucky | Union | Union infantry defeats Confederate cavalry. |
July 5–25, 1863 | Jackson Expedition | Mississippi | Union | Union forces clear Confederate relief efforts from Vicksburg. |
July 10, 1863 | Battle of Funkstown | Maryland | Inconclusive | Action during Lee's retreat after Gettysburg. |
July 13–16, 1863 | Draft Riots | New York | N/A | Riots caused problems for the Union army. |
August 21, 1863 | Skirmish near Brooklyn, Kansas | Kansas | Inconclusive | Union forces chase Confederate raiders. |
August 26–27, 1863 | Battle of White Sulphur Springs | West Virginia | Confederate | A Confederate brigade stops a Union cavalry raid. |
August 27, 1863 | Battle of Bayou Meto (Battle of Reed's Bridge) | Arkansas | Confederate | Confederate forces delay the Union advance on Little Rock. |
October 21, 1863 | Battle of Cherokee Station | Alabama | Union | Confederates suffer heavy losses and retreat. |
October 27, 1863 | Battle of Brown's Ferry | Tennessee | Union | Union forces open a supply line to Chattanooga. |
November 3, 1863 | Battle of Bayou Bourbeux | Louisiana | Confederate | Confederate troops attack Union rear guard. |
November 6, 1863 | Battle of Rogersville | Tennessee | Confederate | Confederates capture Union prisoners. |
March 18, 1864 | Battle of Laredo | Texas | Confederate | Union forces sent to destroy cotton. |
April 13–14, 1864 | Battle of Salyersville | Kentucky | Union | Confederates are driven back with heavy losses. |
May 6, 1864 | Battle of Calcasieu Pass | Louisiana | Confederate | Confederates capture two Union gunboats. |
June 19, 1864 | Battle of Cherbourg (1864) (Sinking of CSS Alabama) |
(Naval engagement) Cherbourg, France | Union | A Union ship sinks the famous Confederate ship CSS Alabama. |
July 13, 1864 | Battle of Camden Point | Missouri | Union | Confederates are ambushed; Camden Point is burned. |
July 30, 1864 | Battle of Brown's Mill | Georgia | Confederate | Cavalry fight during the Atlanta campaign. |
July 31, 1864 | Battle of Fort Smith | Arkansas | Union | Federal troops keep control of western Arkansas. |
August 17, 1864 | Battle of Gainesville | Florida | Confederate | Union fails to take Gainesville. |
September 23–25, 1864 | Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle | Alabama | Confederate | A raid to disrupt Sherman's supply line. |
September 27, 1864 | Battle of Marianna | Florida | Union | Cavalry raid into Florida. |
October 15, 1864 | Capture of Sedalia | Missouri | Confederate | Confederate cavalry defeats Union militia. |
October 19, 1864 | St. Albans raid | Vermont | Confederate | The northernmost land action of the Civil War. |
October 28, 1864 | Battle of Morristown | Tennessee | Union | Union troops defeat Confederate forces protecting a railroad. |
December 24, 1864 | Battle of Anthony's Hill (Battle of King's Hill) | Tennessee | Confederate | Confederates push back Union pursuers. |
February 2, 1865 | Battle of Broxton Bridge | South Carolina | Union | Confederate forces retreat after a failed defense. |
February 11, 1865 | Battle of Aiken | South Carolina | Confederate | Cavalry action between Union and Confederate generals. |
February 20, 1865 | Battle of Fort Myers | Florida | Union | Southernmost land battle in Florida. |
April 13–15, 1865 | Battle of Morrisville | North Carolina | Union | Last cavalry battle of the War. |
April 16, 1865 | Battle of West Point | Georgia | Union | Union victory during the final phase of the war. |
April 16, 1865 | Battle of Columbus (1865) (Battle of Girard) | Georgia | Union | Union forces defeat retreating Confederates. |
April 23, 1865 | Battle of Munford | Alabama | Union | A Union raid in northeast Alabama. |
May 1, 1865 | Battle of Anderson | South Carolina | Confederate | Small fight where Confederates push back Union troops. |
Other Battles: American Indian Wars
During the Civil War, there were also battles between Union or Confederate forces and various Native American tribes. These include parts of the Apache Wars, Colorado War, Dakota War of 1862, Navajo Wars, and Texas–Indian wars.
Date | Battle | State | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
August 1861 | Siege of Tubac | Arizona (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Apache victory. Confederate militia and townspeople flee. |
May 5, 1862 | First Battle of Dragoon Springs | Arizona (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Apache victory. Westernmost Confederate battle deaths. |
May 9, 1862 | Second Battle of Dragoon Springs | Arizona (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Confederate victory. Livestock is recaptured. |
July 15–16, 1862 | Battle of Apache Pass | Arizona (New Mexico Territory at the time) |
Apache Wars: Union soldiers fight Apache warriors. |
August 19 and 23, 1862 | Battles of New Ulm | Minnesota | Dakota War of 1862: Two battles in the Dakota War. |
September 2, 1862 | Battle of Birch Coulee | Minnesota | Dakota War of 1862: Worst defeat for Union forces in the Dakota War. |
September 3, 1862 | Battle of Acton | Minnesota | Dakota War of 1862: Union soldiers retreat to a fortified town. |
January 12–14, 1864 | Battle of Canyon de Chelly | Arizona (Arizona Territory at the time) |
US victory. |
November 25, 1864 | First Battle of Adobe Walls | Texas | Texas–Indian wars: Union forces fight Native Americans to a draw, but destroy their settlement. |
January 8, 1865 | Battle of Dove Creek | Texas | Kickapoo victory: Texas militia and Confederate troops are defeated by Kickapoo Native Americans. |
February 17, 1865 | Battle of Fort Buchanan | Arizona (Arizona Territory at the time) |
Apache victory. Fort Buchanan is destroyed. |
More Information on Troop Engagements
This section lists every fight between Union and Confederate troops, showing how many soldiers were lost. This information comes from official records of the War Department.
You can find these summaries by year:
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Batallas de la guerra de Secesión para niños
- List of costliest American Civil War land battles
- Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War
- Books about the American Civil War
- Books about Ulysses S. Grant