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“The firing on that fort will inaugurate a civil war greater than any the world has yet seen…you will lose us every friend at the North.

Fort sumter

On April 12, 1861, forces from the Confederate States of America attacked the United States military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Less than two days later, the fort surrendered. No one was killed. The battle, however, started the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history.

Battle of Vicksburg

"See what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key... Let us get Vicksburg and all that country is ours. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."

The 47-day Siege of Vicksburg eventually gave control of the Mississippi River—a critical supply line—to the union and was part of the Union's successful Anaconda Plan to cut off all trade to the Confederacy.

"I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them… I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen… I bid you an affectionate farewell.”

The Battle of Appomattox Court House started during the early morning hours of April 9, 1865. By the afternoon of the same day, General Robert E. Lee, commander of all Confederate forces, surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant.

Appomattox court house

“The firing on that fort will inaugurate a civil war greater than any the world has yet seen…you will lose us every friend at the North.

Fort sumter

On April 12, 1861, forces from the Confederate States of America attacked the United States military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Less than two days later, the fort surrendered. No one was killed. The battle, however, started the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history.

Battle of Vicksburg

"See what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key... Let us get Vicksburg and all that country is ours. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."

The 47-day Siege of Vicksburg eventually gave control of the Mississippi River—a critical supply line—to the union and was part of the Union's successful Anaconda Plan to cut off all trade to the Confederacy.

"I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them… I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen… I bid you an affectionate farewell.”

The Battle of Appomattox Court House started during the early morning hours of April 9, 1865. By the afternoon of the same day, General Robert E. Lee, commander of all Confederate forces, surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant.

Appomattox court house

“The firing on that fort will inaugurate a civil war greater than any the world has yet seen…you will lose us every friend at the North.

Fort sumter

On April 12, 1861, forces from the Confederate States of America attacked the United States military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Less than two days later, the fort surrendered. No one was killed. The battle, however, started the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history.

Battle of Vicksburg

"See what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key... Let us get Vicksburg and all that country is ours. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."

The 47-day Siege of Vicksburg eventually gave control of the Mississippi River—a critical supply line—to the union and was part of the Union's successful Anaconda Plan to cut off all trade to the Confederacy.

"I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them… I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen… I bid you an affectionate farewell.”

The Battle of Appomattox Court House started during the early morning hours of April 9, 1865. By the afternoon of the same day, General Robert E. Lee, commander of all Confederate forces, surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant.

Appomattox court house