USA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS :

MAJOR US CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS

The American Civil War (1861-1865) was fought between the Union (Federal Government of the US and 23 states in the North) and the Confederacy (11 states in the South). The war changed forever the US with the massive death toll of 620,000 soldiers scarring the nations psyche for many generations . It heralded the end of slavery and marked the beginning of the campaign for equality in the USA.

These major US Civil War Battlefields are important tourist attractions. Visits to these battlefields are also valuable educational experiences for the young people of America.

The battles summarised in date order below were the most costliest engagements of the American Civil War:

Fort Donelson , Tennessee ( February 12 - 16, 1862)

The capture of the Fort Henry by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on February 6 preceded this battle. Fort Henry had been overwhelmed by the combination of the Union's naval gunboats on the Tennessee River commanded by Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote & Grant's land army. The capture of Fort Donelson, again via the naval & land forces combination , elevated Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant into the top ranks of the Union's Army hierarchy. The Fort was unconditionally surrendered , on the insistence of General Grant, by the new Confederate Chief, Brig. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner. As a result of this Grant became know as "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.

Shiloh , Tennessee (April 6 - 7, 1862)

Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston was killed on the first day of this conflict and his No.2 General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard took command in the conflict with Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. General Beauregard made a brave attack that almost carried the day. They had planned to drive the Union army into the swamps of Owl Creek. Reinforcements thwarted this move & turned the tide of battle resulting in a decisive Union victory.

Second Battle of Bull Run, Virginia August 29-30, 1862

This second battle at Bull Run was much larger than the first battle fought in 1861.A key element of this conflict was triggered by a flanking move by Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson which result in the capture of a key Union supply depot at Manassas Junction. Such flanking moves are risky. Union Maj. Gen. John Pope thought that he had "Stonewall" trapped & so launched a series of attacks which were repulsed with heavy losses on both sides. The appearance of Confederate Maj. Gen. James Longstreet altered the balance of power & his counter-attack with some 25,000 troops, one of the largest mass attacks of the whole war, left Pope's forces in disarray & his retreat to Centerville was ragged. This was a decisive Confederate victory.

Antietam Maryland ( September 17, 1862)

The Civil War Battle at Antietam Maryland on the September 17, 1862 was the single bloodiest day in American military history with estimated 23,100 casualties. US Major General George B. McClellan confronted General Robert E Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Sharpsburg, Maryland. Although Lee was outnumbered two-to-one, he committed his entire force, while McClellan held back a quarter of his force in reserve. This enabled Lee to fight the Federals ragged. Both armies suffered massive casualties but the result was inconclusive although it was considered that the Union achieved a strategic victory .

Fredericksburg, Virginia ( December 13, 1862)

This bloody battle of the American Civil War fought December 13, 1862 at Fredericksburg, Virginia was another great Confederate Victory. General A.E. Burnside with 120,000 troops was opposed by Confederate General Robert E. Lee with a smaller force of 78,000. However, Lee's stronger position on high ground proved decisive . General Burnside was subsequently sacked as a result of his defeat.US Civil War Battlefields such as Fredericksburg, Virginia, are important tourist attractions.

Stones River, Tennessee ( December 31 - January 2, 1863)

General William Starke Rosecrans was in opposition to Confederate General Braxton Bragg. Soldiers commanded by Bragg twice tried to assassinate him partly due to excessive disciplinary measures. The Stones River became notorious as it had the highest percentage of losses of the whole war. The battle was inconclusive & the withdrawal of the Confederate soldiers was a set back for the South

Chancellorsville,Virginia ( May 1 - 6, 1863)

This was the most uneven contest of the Civil War, it took place near Spotsylvania Courthouse village May 1 - 6, 1863. General Robert E Lee's Army of some 61,000 was ranged against Major General Joseph Hooker's Union army of 134,000 soldiers. Despite these odds General Robert E Lee's aggression won the day & resulted in a major Union defeat. The Confederate's victory was marred by the mortal wounding of Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson .

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (July 1-3, 1863)

The Famous battle of Gettysburg Pennsylvania is thought to have been the turning point of the Civil War . The highest losses, estimated at c.50,000 soldiers, of the War were incurred in this major battle. This was General Lee second invasion of the North, whereby he hoped to bring an end to the debilitating conflict. Throughout the war, the Union's larger population proved decisive so an attritional war meant that victory was inevitable for the North .The three days of savage fighting at Gettysburg left the Confederate army very weakened & ended with General Lees retreating to Virginia.

Some five months after the Battle of Gettysburg on Thursday, November 19, 1863 President Lincoln gave a speech at the dedication ceremony for the Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg to honor the dead and to try & make sense of all the senseless killing.

Chickamauga, Georgia (September 19-20, 1863)

Union Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans and the Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg commanding the Army of Tennessee contested this battle in Northern Georgia. Once again very high losses were incurred by both sides but the result was viewed as a very significant Union defeat .The contest is named after West Chickamauga Creek. It is said that Chickamauga was a Cherokee phrase meaning "river of death".

Wilderness, Virginia (May 5-7, 1864)

This was the first Battle between General Robert E Lee's Confederate Army and the Army lead by Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. There were heavy losses on both sides. Whilst the result was inconclusive the drain on Confederate manpower was more damaging to the South's cause. A number of battles were fought in this rough, scrub country of Spotsylvania in Central Virginia .

Spotsylvania, Virginia (May 8-21, 1864)

This was trench warfare like the First World War 1914-1918. Confederate General Robert E. Lee with 52,000 troops was opposed by the Union's army Lt.General Grant with 100,000 soldiers. Heavy losses were incurred on both sides but the outcome was inconclusive. This battle is notable for General Lee's attempt to personally lead his own troops into the attack due to the parlous situation. However, his troops refused to advance until their beloved leader agreed to move back to a safer position.