generals
This Union general famously led the March to the Sea, devastating the Confederate heartland.
William Tecumseh Sherman
This battle, fought in July 1863, is often considered the turning point of the Civil War, with General George Meade leading Union forces to victory against General Robert E. Lee's Confederates.
Battle of Gettysburg
This military tactic, which involved marching in tightly packed lines across open terrain, was commonly used by infantry during the Civil War.
Line Formation
This rifle, known for its reliability and widespread use by both Union and Confederate soldiers, was manufactured by the Harpers Ferry Armory.
1861 Springfield Rifle
This executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be forever free.
Emancipation Proclamation
This Confederate general earned the nickname "Stonewall" for his steadfast defense at the First Battle of Bull Run.
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
This battle, fought on April 6-7, 1862, was one of the bloodiest in American history up to that point, resulting in approximately 23,000 casualties, and it saw Union General Ulysses S. Grant emerge victorious against Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston.
Battle of Shiloh
This tactic, often employed by Confederate forces, involved soldiers forming a line and advancing towards the enemy in an attempt to break their formation.
bayonet charge
This type of cannon, widely used during the Civil War, was named after its French inventor and fired explosive shells in a high trajectory.
Napoleon Gun
This amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States.
13th Amendment
This Union general served as the commander of the Army of the Potomac for much of the Civil War, though his leadership was often criticized.
George B. McClellan
This naval battle, fought on March 9, 1862, marked the first clash between ironclad warships, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, and ended in a draw.
Battle of Hampton Roads
Named after a Confederate general, this maneuver involved a swift and unexpected movement of troops to outflank the enemy, often resulting in a decisive advantage.
Jacksonian Flank
This revolver, designed by Samuel Colt and favored for its firepower and reliability, was issued to cavalry troops on both sides of the conflict.
Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver
This period immediately following the Civil War saw efforts to rebuild the South and integrate former slaves into American society.
Reconstruction Era
This Confederate general surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War
Robert E. Lee
This battle, fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with over 22,000 casualties, and ended in a tactical draw but is often considered a strategic Union victory.
Battle of Antietam
trench warfare
This type of naval weapon, consisting of an explosive charge mounted on a long pole, was used by ships to breach enemy hulls during naval engagements.
spar torpedo
This Confederate general surrendered his army to Union forces at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War.
General Robert E. Lee
This Union general famously said, "War is cruelty. There is no use trying to reform it. The crueler it is, the sooner it will be over."
William Tecumseh Sherman
This siege, lasting from May 18 to July 4, 1863, saw Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant surround the Confederate stronghold, eventually leading to its surrender and a major turning point in the war.
vicksberg
This Confederate naval tactic involved outfitting ships with iron plating to withstand enemy fire, revolutionizing naval warfare during the Civil War.
ironclad warfare
This weapon, named after its inventor, was an early predecessor to the modern machine gun and saw limited use during the Civil War.
Gatling Gun
This devastating conflict resulted in over 600,000 deaths, making it the deadliest war in American history.
American Civil War