List of american civil war battles in northern virginia wikipedia. Youll find yourself visiting multiple northern virginia civil war historical sites, including battlefields, parks, trails, and memorials. West virginia civil war history battles west virginia map. There were many engagements along the edges of the confederacy.
More than 11,000 battles, engagements, and skirmishes comprised the actual fighting in the revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and the civil war. The colony of virginia also known frequently as the virginia colony, the province of virginia, and occasionally as the dominion and colony of virginia was the english colony in virginia that existed from 1607 until the american revolution. Civil war battles in virginia the blue and gray trail. The official virginia civil war battlefield guide virginia was host to nearly rd of all civil war engagements. G et handson with history in virginia as you hear stories, read accounts, and see reenactments of life during the civil war.
These battles were fought using a variety of strategies with varying degrees of success the following is a list of civil war battles in chronological order. Sign up for free to find the latest information and discounts at restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and wineries in fairfax. Within virginia, strong sectional differences were exacerbated during the civil war, and the western virginia area, seceding or breaking away from virginia, was admitted to the union as the state of west virginia on june 20, 1863. Most of the battles in the eastern theater of the civil war took place in virginia because the confederacy had to defend its national capital at richmond. The town of lexington is the seat of rockbridge county in the shenandoah valley. I got more insight into the maritime aspects of the civil war when i visited the massive threestory high nauticus complex on the citys waterfront. In the winter of 18601861, americans were forced to make decisions about their nations future. An escaped slave was the florence nightingale of indianas civil war regiment. Virginia civil war history map virginia civil war battles.
The remainder were skirmishes, reconnaissances, naval engagements, sieges, bombardments, etc. The battle of jonesville is considered the largest civil war engagement in farsouthwestern virginia. From the first big battle at manassasbull run in 1861 to the surrender of lees army at appomattox in 1865, virginia stayed in the headlines throughout the civil. This is where hard fought, daytoday fighting took place. Civil war in virginia resources virginia museum of history. When the men who attended its convention voted for secession in april 1861, it was the third time they had brought the issue to a vote. This list includes more than 370 battles at this point, and should continue to grow. Other battles and skirmishes, not rated by cwsac, of the american indian wars between either usa or csa forces and the apache, arapaho, cheyenne, comanche, dakota, kiowa, navajo, and shoshone which occurred during the american civil war including. Beginning with the battle of the wilderness, lee and grant locked horns in a remorseless and bloody struggle that included the battles of spotsylvania court house and north anna, ending with the battle of cold harbor. Civil war sites in norfolk, virginia bootsnall travel articles. Battle of the crater or crater battle after blowing explosives at the end of a 586foot tunnel which in turn ignited four magazines, union troops advance to the crater at petersburg. He would officially surrender there to union general ulysses s.
Civil war battles in virginia 1862 civil war academy. More than 153,000 virginians served in confederate units during the civil war, and most were nativeborn farmers between the ages. What we have here is not a full list of civil war battles, but it is a beginning. First battle of bull run in manassas, in northern virginia. The civil war in virginia virginia was the arena where north and south fought many of their bloodiest battles. West virginia became a state by breaking away, or seceding, from virginia during the american civil war 18611865. The american civil war was the defining event in our nations history. The first major battle of the war was fought at manassas, and the greatest number of battles and skirmishes occurred in virginia. Civil war driving tour of southwest virginia virginia. The battles of the civil war were fought across the united states from the east coast to as far west as new mexico.
Battles american battlefield trust civil war trust. Craighill the virginia civil war battles and leaders series, twelfth virginia cavalry virginia civil war battles and leaders series, and several more. More than 2,000 military events were recorded in virginia during the war, more than any other state. Battle of kesslers cross lanes general john floyd routs an ohio regiment. Kids learn about the history of the american civil war including causes, timeline, generals, battles, daily life, abraham lincoln, the north vs. The virginia civil war battles and leaders series ongoing series published by h. The virginia civil war battles and leaders book series by multiple authors includes books appomattox paroles april 915, 1865 virginia civil war battles and leaders series, confederate surgeon. First land engagement of the civil war between american and confederate forces. The american battlefield protection program abpp was. Battles of the civil war fairfax county, va visit fairfax. Carroll county, virginia, civil war soldiers records, 18611865, compiled by john p. Educational articles for students, schools, and teachers. The battle of petersburg, virginia siege of petersburg, june 9, 1864, to march 25, 1865, marked a change in tactics in the eastern theater of the american civil war. Who could imagine american independence without george washingtons crossing of the delaware river and subsequent.
Battle of jonesville lee county virginia center for civil. Virginia civil war battlefield map maps depicting the battles fought within the state of virginia during the civil war. The official virginia civil war battlefield guide is the comprehensive guidebook to the most significant battles of the civil war. Virginia became a prominent part of the confederacy when it joined during the american civil war. Beginning in 1861, these battles made a permanent mark upon the landscape and elevated to prominence small towns that had previously been peaceful villages. First battle of bull run in manassas, in northern virginia, resulted in a southern victory. The civil war in virginia a timeline virginia is for lovers.
Civil war battles of virginia peninsula campaign march 8july 1 1862 the peninsula campaign, also known as the peninsular campaign, was a union offensive that took place from march through july, 1862, with the intention of capturing richmond. The petersburg campaign june 1864march 1865, also known as the siege of petersburg, was a climactic series of battles in southern virginia during the american civil war 186165, in which. They are in the order in which they occurred during the civil war. Many of the entries also contain additional biographical information gleaned from a number of sources. Concerns the battle of gaines mill, hanover county, va. Between 1861 and 1865 10,000 battles and engagements were fought across the continent, from vermont to the new mexico territory, and beyond. Peninsula campaign march 8july 1 1862 the peninsula campaign, also known as the peninsular campaign, was a union offensive that took place from march through july, 1862, with the intention of capturing richmond. Confederate virginia troops 23rd battalion, virginia infantry overview. During the early years of the civil war, fairfax county found itself at a crossroads between both the union and confederate armies because of its strategic location. Many of these fights, large and small, had a direct impact upon your lives today. Of the 384 civil war battlefields cited as critical to preserve by the congressionally appointed civil war sites advisory commission, 123fully onethirdare located in virginia.
Instead of the campaigns of maneuver that had characterized the war up to that point, union and confederate armies fought a series of trenchwarfare battles more like those of world war i than of the civil war. The confederate states of america csa was founded in february 1861. Also included are details on who won each battle and the number of casualties on both sides. Explore the critical role of fairfax county in civil war history. Battle of hampton roads the duel of the ironclads, the monitor and the merrimac css virginia. From cold mountain in amherst across rockbridge and bath counties, virginia, and part of pocahontas county, west virginia date and scale from stephensons civil war maps, 1989. The civil war consisted of 50 major battles and 5,000 minor battles. Our region is far away from the bestknown battlefields such as gettysburg and bull run.
Civil war battles in west virginia philippi civil war battles in west virginia other names. Confederate, stonewall jacksons confederates defeat union forces. Southwest virginia is all too often overlooked in histories of the civil war era. The 10 best virginia battlefields with photos tripadvisor. Civil war maps, available online, west virginia library. Civil war maps, available online, virginia library of congress. Donate today to preserve civil war battlefields and the nations history for generations to come. After 4 hours, though, they are forced to withdraw. Dec 25, 2009 over 160 battles were fought in the county around the city of culpepper, virginia. Jan 21, 2020 more major civil war battles were fought in virginia than in any other state. Lee in defending the confederate capitol was a central theme of civil war history. Virginia civil war battlefield maps access genealogy. The civil war consisted of nearly 10,500 battles, engagements, and other military actions including nearly 50 major battles and about 100 others that had major significance. The historical significance of the civil war is especially potent in west virginia, since it marks the period in history that gave birth to this state.
How many battles in the civil war were fought in virginia. Glimpse 18611865 through the eyes of women, africanamericans, soldiers, spies, and children at hundreds of civil war sites around the state. Virginia is known for its deep roots in united states history, there are numerous battlefields and civil war sites that helped to define the civil war. West virginia was the only state to form by seceding from a confederate state, and was one of only two states formed during the american civil war the other one being. The civil war in the united states began in 1861, after decades of simmering tensions between northern and southern states over slavery, states rights and westward expansion. In response to both real policy proposals and conspiracy theories, some supporters of the sanctuary movement in virginia are talking about the boogaloo an ironic term for civil war that. Dec 15, 2016 the battle of fredericksburg is tenth on our list of the bloodiest civil war battles. Much of virginia s civil war history can be found in other parts of the state, but there are a couple spots in virginia s blue ridge that recognize significant moments in the war. Inside nauticus on the second floor is the hampton roads naval museum, where naval battles between the north and south get a lot of attention. Lee countys only confederate monument is a memorial to unknown confederate soldiers who died in the battle of jonesville. The total american civil war immersive experience is found both inside and outside the county with multiple museums, civil war battle sites, and.
Civil war battles in west virginia civil war academy. The one civil war battle in west virginia that nearly. This area was so critical because if you wanted to. The one civil war battle in west virginia that nearly destroyed an entire town. The battle of shiloh, also known as the battle of pittsburg landing, took place from april 6 to april 7, 1862, and was one of the major early engagements of the american civil war 186165. Shiloh was the largest battle in the civil wars mississippi valley campaign and its. From the first big battle at manassasbull run in 1861 to the surrender of lees army at appomattox in 1865, virginia stayed in the headlines throughout the civil war. Join virginia native david duncan of the american battlefield trust as he gives a synopsis of allthings. When the men who attended its convention voted for secession in april 1861, it was the third time they. More major civil war battles were fought in virginia than in any other. The civil war in virginia a timeline virginia is for. On december 11, 1862 union engineers began to push pontoon bridges across the rappahannock river outside of the city of fredericksburg in the confederate state of virginia.
The most convenient and comprehensive starting point for learning about the large number of significant battles and engagements that occurred in virginia during the civil war, including maps of the action at each site, can be found in. Civil war in virginia g et handson with history in virginia as you hear stories, read accounts, and see reenactments of life during the civil war. Alderman consisting of typescripts of confederate service records of soldiers from carroll county. Civil war battles of virginia page 4 legends of america. This guide covers them all like a minihistory of the war. Army moved into northern virginia and captured alexandria without a fight. Did you know that 43% of all battles during the entire civil war were fought in virginia. A road trip through virginias civil war sites hertz.
As a southern slaveholding state, virginia held a state convention to deal with the secession crisis, and voted against secession on april 4, 1861. They are in the order that they took place during the course of the civil war. Each campaign has a detailed overview, followed by concise descriptions of the individual engagements in the footsteps of grant. It was a pivotal site in the battle of fredericksburg and is the only spot where visitors can follow in the footsteps of history by tracing the union armys actions on december, 1862, from the beginning to the bloody end. There were thousands of small and fairly inconsequential skirmishes, and it becomes difficult to find them all. Just five days later, virginia became the eighth state to secede from the union. Union artillery had largely destroyed the old city of fredericksburg, but the ensuing. Over 160 battles were fought in the county around the city of culpepper, virginia.
Virginia was initially reluctant to secede from the union. Transmississippi theater of the american civil war. Penandink, pencil, and watercolor over pencil grid, mounted on cloth. Since virginia saw the most battles during the civil war i have broken them down by each year. With virginia s secession from the union, richmond, in central virginia, was named the capitol of the confederacy. Civil war battles in virginia 1861 civil war battles in virginia 1863 civil war battles in virginia. A list of civil war battles is a hard thing to compile. On april 9, 1865, the battle of appomattox court house proved to be the last significant battle of the civil was as well as the final battle for general robert e. Civil war maps, available online, virginia, military battles and. Local tradition holds that the house was used as a hospital following the battle. Afterward, head to slaughter pen farm via route 17 to view a 208acre civil war site operated by the civil war trust.
Lexington during the civil war encyclopedia virginia. The fouryear struggle between north and south made heroes of citizen soldiers, forever changed the role of women in society, and. Roanoke civil war history civil war history in virginia s blue ridge. With less than 150 miles separating the two capital cities of washington, d. Civil war battles in virginia 1862 they are in the order in which they occurred during the civil war. For lists of battles organized by campaign and theater, see. Civil war historic sites virginia civil war history. The engagements were fought in 23 different states and resulted in a total of over 650,000 casualties. The new state was admitted to the union on june 20, 1863, and was a key civil war border state. The civil war was fought throughout much of the united states, but predominantly in the southern states. June 3, 1861, battle of philippi first land engagement of the civil war between american and confederate forces, west virginia.
Union forces made several failed attempts to capture richmond and the remarkable success of general robert e. Seeing more major civil war battles than any other state, virginia was a prominent part of the confederate states of america. Virginia 23rd24th, new ulm, minnesota 24th, coon creek near lamar, missouri 24th, crooked creek near dallas, missouri 24th, near bloomfield, missouri 24th, waterloo bridge, virginia 25th27th, manassas station operations, virginia. Most of the battles in the eastern theater of the american civil war took place in virginia because the confederacy had to defend its national capital at richmond, and public opinion in the north demanded. During the american civil war 18611865, it was home to washington college now washington and lee university and the virginia military institute. Yet it contains many sites of civil war significance.
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