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The Mississippi River was a crucial strategic point in the Civil War. Controlling the river allowed the Union to cut the Confederacy in half, disrupting supply lines. The Union's victory at Vicksburg secured complete control of the river in 1863.

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Kentucky was a border state with divided loyalties. While it remained in the Union, many of its citizens fought for both sides. Abraham Lincoln famously said, "I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky."

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Tennessee was a major battleground state, hosting key conflicts like the Battle of Shiloh and the Chattanooga Campaign. It was the last state to secede and the first to be readmitted to the Union. The state saw some of the most intense fighting of the war.

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Montgomery, Alabama, was the original capital of the Confederacy. It was later replaced by Richmond, Virginia, due to strategic concerns. It remained an important city in Confederate operations.

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The Chesapeake Bay was essential for naval operations. The famous battle between the ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia occurred in nearby waters, marking a revolution in naval warfare. The bay was also vital for Union blockades of Southern ports.

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This river was vital to Richmond’s defense. It was a key role in Union General McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign in 1862. The river also served as a major transportation route during the war.

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The river was a significant geographical barrier in Virginia. It was the site of battles such as Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and control of the river was crucial for troop movements.

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The Potomac separated the Union capital, Washington D.C., from Confederate Virginia. It was a strategic boundary throughout the war. Both armies frequently crossed it during campaigns.

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The Ohio River marked the boundary between free and slave states. It was a key transportation route for Union forces. The river also played a role in the Underground Railroad.

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Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg, PA

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Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg, PA

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Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg, PA

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Fought in July 1863, Gettysburg was the war’s turning point. It was the bloodiest battle, and Lincoln later delivered the Gettysburg Address in its aftermath. The Confederate defeat ended Lee’s invasion of the North.

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Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg, PA

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Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

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Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

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Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

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The war began here on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces fired upon the Union-held fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The battle lasted over 30 hours before the Union surrendered. It marked the official start of hostilities between the North and South.

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Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

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Harper’s Ferry was the site of John Brown’s raid in 1859 and changed hands multiple times during the war due to its strategic location. It housed a vital U.S. Armory and Arsenal. Its location at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers made it a key military target.

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Two major battles were fought here. The first, in 1861, was the war’s first major conflict, giving the Confederacy confidence. The second, in 1862, resulted in another Confederate victory.

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The Union, under General Grant, besieged Vicksburg, Mississippi, leading to its surrender on July 4, 1863. This secured control of the Mississippi River. The victory was a major step in splitting the Confederacy.

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A December 1862 battle where Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee decisively defeated the Union Army. The Union suffered heavy casualties attempting to cross the Rappahannock River. It was one of Lee’s most one-sided victories.

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Fought in May 1863, it was one of Lee’s greatest victories. However, it resulted in the death of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Lee's forces successfully outmaneuvered a much larger Union army.

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The bloodiest single-day battle in American history, fought on September 17, 1862. It led Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. The battle ended in a tactical draw but gave the Union a strategic advantage.

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A major battle in Tennessee in April 1862. Union forces, under Grant, won a costly victory. The battle demonstrated the brutal and lengthy nature of the war.

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Baltimore saw riots in 1861 as Confederate sympathizers clashed with Union troops. The city remained under Union control. Its location was crucial for defending Washington, D.C.

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Captured by the Union in 1862, securing control over one of the Confederacy’s most important ports. It effectively cut off vital supplies to the South. The victory was an early turning point for the Union.

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The 1863 battles here were crucial for Union forces in gaining control of the South’s railroads. Chickamauga was a costly Confederate victory. However, Union forces soon rebounded and took Chattanooga, a key strategic point.

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The Confederate capital after Montgomery. It fell to Union forces in April 1865. The city's capture marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.

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Captured during Sherman’s March to the Sea in 1864. The Union forces burned much of Georgia but spared Savannah. The victory helped break the South’s will to fight.

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Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, National Park Drive, Appomattox, VA

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The site of Lee’s surrender to Grant on April 9, 1865. This event effectively ended the war. The terms of surrender were lenient to encourage reconciliation.

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The Union capital, heavily fortified throughout the war. It was the primary target of Confederate invasions. Lincoln governed from here throughout the conflict.

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One of the First Seven Seceding States

(December 20, 1860)

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One of the First Seven Seceding States:

(January 9, 1861)

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One of the First Seven Seceding States:

(January 10,1861)

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One of the First Seven Seceding States:

(January 11, 1861)

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One of the First Seven Seceding States:

(January 19, 1861)

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One of the First Seven Seceding States:

(January 26, 1861)

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One of the First Seven Seceding States:

(February 1,1861)

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Union Free State

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Confederate State that joined after Fort Sumter

(April 17, 1961)

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Confederate State that joined after Fort Sumter

(May 6, 1861)

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Confederate State that joined after Fort Sumter

(May 20, 1861)

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Confederate State that joined after Fort Sumter

(June 8, 1861)

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The Draft Riots took place in New York City, driven by opposition to the Union draft.

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Original Capital of the Confederacy

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Second Capital of the Confederacy

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Home State of Abraham Lincoln

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Home State of Jefferson Davis