Battles and Legacies of a Divided Nation by Ethan Peterson

Mississippi River

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:27:00 UTC

The Mississippi was a crucial transportation route throughout the Civil War and had the Union and Confederacy. The Union's specific plan was to control the river to divide the Confederacy and also disrupt supplies being transported to troops. A key battle that happened at the Mississippi River was the Siege of Vicksburg, where the union gained control of the river and gained an advantage.

Kentucky

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:27:18 UTC

Kentucky was a border state and had much value to both sides during the Civil War. The state was critical as it gave access to different waterways and railroads that would lead both the Union and Confederacy to fight over. Kentucky was said to be neutral but ultimately supported the Union even with the significant amount of Confederates in it's population.

Tennessee

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:27:32 UTC

Tennessee was a large battleground throughout the war with many battles such as The Battle of Shiloh and The Battle of Chattanooga. These wars ended up being Union victories and weakened Confederate forces in the area. The first state to secede from the Union was Tennessee however, they were brought back to the Union after some key victories.

Chesapeake Bay

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:28:27 UTC

During the Civil War, Chesapeake Bay would serve as an important location for naval operations. One key battle that happened at Chesapeake is the Battle of Hampton Roads which was in 1862. This battle is significant because is marked a turning point in naval warfare showing the effectiveness of ironclad ships.

James River, Virginia

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:28:40 UTC

The James River in Virginia was an important location for the Confederacy mainly. The river provided access to the Confederate capital, Richmond. The Union would fight in battles like the Battle of Drewry's Bluff and the Siege of Petersburg in an effort to gain control over the river.

Rappahannock River, Virginia

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:28:53 UTC

The Rappahannock River was a defensive base for mostly the Confederacy. In fights such as The Battle of Fredricksburg in 1862, the river would play a big role. Due to the river's geography, it helped both the Confederacy and Union with troop movements and supply lines.

Potomac River

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:29:04 UTC

During the Civil War, The Potomac River was a natural border between the Union and Confederate capitals. For the Union, the river was vital for the defense of Washington D.C. Control over the river would be crucial as it provided strategical advantages for the owner.

Ohio River

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:29:13 UTC

The Ohio River was a key part of western theater in the Civil War. The river was used as a waterway for Union supply lines and communication. The Union would ultimately secure dominance in this region due to battles such as, The Battle of Fort Henry and The Battle of Fort Donelson.

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

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:29:27 UTC

The Battle of Gettysburg was a war fought and is considered to be the turning point in the Civil War. General George G. Meade's men defeated General Robert E. Lee's troops stopping his Confederate invasion in the North. The Battle ended up being one of the bloodiest wars in U.S. history with over 50,000 casualties.

Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:29:39 UTC

Fort Sumter is known as the first site of the Civil War. Confederate forces would open fire on the Union on April 12, 1861. This battle would end up as a Confederate victory but excited both sides for war.

Manassas, VA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:30:04 UTC

Manassas is most known for the first Battle of Bull Run. This would be the first major land battle in the Civil as Confederates would come away with the victory. The first Battle of Bull Run would shatter the Union's hope for a easy win as it was a long and came with lengthy costs

Montgomery, AL

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:31:21 UTC

Montgomery, Alabama would be the first capital of the Confederacy. It was at Montgomery where the Confederacy was born. The city would remain the capital of the Confederacy until eventually moving to Richmond later in 1861.

Harpers Ferry, WV

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:31:35 UTC

Harper Ferry was known for being the site of John Brown's raid in 1859 which was a preview for the Civil War. Later it would become a location that both sides would use for it's strategic transportation routes and geography. The Confederacy would capture Harper Ferry before the Union forces would retake it in 1862.

Vicksburg, MS

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:33:06 UTC

The Battle of Vicksburg was an important Union victory giving them control over the Mississippi River. This would effectively split the Confederacy in two. The Battle would be seen as a turning point as it secured important transportation routes and weakened the South's defense.

Fredericksburg, VA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:33:20 UTC

The Battle of Fredricksburg was an important Confederate Victory. The Union suffered a large amount of deaths while attempting to cross the Rappahannock River. This defeat would come with lost morale for the Union side.

Chancellorsville, VA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:33:31 UTC

The Battle of Chancellorsville was a General Robert E. Lee masterclass and a big Confederate win. The Union had Confederate forces outnumbered and still got beaten fairly easy. During the war, General Stonewall Jackson would end up dying as well being a big loss.

Antietam, MD

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:33:41 UTC

The Battle of Antietam was known as the bloodiest day in American War history as there were over 22,000 deaths. This Battle would lead to Abraham Lincoln enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation. The Battle would techinicallt end up being a tactical draw.

Shiloh, TN

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:34:10 UTC

The Battle of Shiloh was one of the earliest fights in the Civil War. Union forces were attacked by Confederate forces which would lead to the Union defending and winning in a fierce fight. The war was devastating human loss as there was over 23,000 casualties

Baltimore, MD

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:34:21 UTC

Baltimore was a key border city in the Civil War because of it's major transportation hubs and located near the Union capital, Washington D.C. Baltimore had many Confederate supporters leading to riots. The government would then take measures to making sure the city did not get under Confederate control.

New Orleans, LA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:34:30 UTC

New Orleans was an important port city for the Confederacy on the Mississippi River and one of the first big cities to be captured by the Union. The Union was able to do this by cutting off Confederate supply line in a big win. The capture of New Orleans was a big moment in the Civil War and hurt northern morale.

Chickamauga, GA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:34:44 UTC

The Battle of Chickamauga was fought in 1863 and was a turning point in the Civil War's Western Theater. The Confederacy would decisively defeat the Union in an epic battle. The fight would end with the Confederates not able to fully capitalize and heavy casualties on both sides.

Chattanooga, TN

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:34:52 UTC

The Battle of Chattanooga was another turning point in the Civil War's Western Theater. The Union defeated the Confederates ending the Confederate raid of the city. The victory led to Sherman's famous, "March to the Sea."

Richmond, VA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:35:05 UTC

Richmond is well known for being the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Key battles such as The Siege of Petersburg would lead to the fall of Richmond in 1865. Richmond's capturing would symbolize the collapse of the Confederacy.

Savannah, GA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:35:32 UTC

Savannah was a port city and was the cite of Sherman's victory during the March to the Sea. Union forces captured the city without fighting outbreaks giving Abraham Lincoln a needed victory, The capture of Savannah helped the Union take control over the Southeast.

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

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:36:44 UTC

The Appomattox Court House is a famous place where Robert E. Lee would secure the final victory to end the Civil War. The terms for surrendering were ensuring Confederate soldiers to go home. This would symbolize the reunification of the U.S.

Washington, D.C.

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-19 16:36:53 UTC

Washington D.C. was the Union capital during the Civil War and was an important place for military and political decisions. The city was very heavily protected from Confederate attacks. President Lincoln would use D.C. as a place to make key decisions such as Emancipation Proclamation.

Original States that seceded first

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 16:06:29 UTC

-South Carolina: Seceded on December 20, 1860.

-Mississippi: Seceded on January 9, 1861.

-Florida: Seceded on January 10, 1861.

-Alabama: Seceded on January 11, 1861.

-Georgia: Seceded on January 19, 1861.

-Louisiana: Seceded on January 26, 1861.

-Texas: Seceded on February 1, 1861

Border States

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 16:08:33 UTC

-Delaware

-Maryland

-Kentucky

-Missouri

Union States

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 16:10:22 UTC

-California

-Connecticut

-Illinois

-Indiana

-Iowa

-Kansas

-Maine

-Massachusetts

-Michigan

-Minnesota

-Nevada

-New Hampshire

-New Jersey

-New York

-Ohio

-Oregon

-Pennsylvania

-Rhode Island

-Vermont

-Wisconsin

Four Confederate States that joined after Fort Sumter

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 16:14:25 UTC

-Virginia: Seceded on April 17, 1861.

-Arkansas: Seceded on May 6, 1861.

-North Carolina: Seceded on May 20, 1861.

-Tennessee: Seceded on June 8, 1861.

Manhattan, New York, NY

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 16:22:33 UTC

The 1863 Draft Riots happened in New York City. The riots were a response to the Enrollment Act.

Montgomery

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 16:24:57 UTC

Original Capital of the Confederacy

Richmond, VA

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 16:25:24 UTC

Second Capital of the Confederacy

Larue County, KY

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 17:24:19 UTC

This is where Abraham Lincoln was from

Fairview, KY

epeterson_2026 — 2025-02-20 17:25:16 UTC

This is Jefferson Davis's birthplace