Civil War Battles Worksheet
Battle Information: The United States Civil War was a significant event in American history, marked by
several major battles that shaped the outcome of the war. Read the passage about five significant Civil
War battles and answer the following questions based on the information provided.
Battle 1: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
1. Who was the Union Army general during the Battle of First Bull Run?

Answer: General Irvin McDowell
2. Why did the Union Army march from Washington, D.C., to Richmond, Virginia?

Answer: To seize the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
3. Who was the Confederate general in command during the Battle of First Bull Run?

Answer: General P.G.T. Beauregard
4. What was the result of the battle, and what impact did it have on the North?

Answer: The Confederates held their ground and counterattacked, defeating the Union
troops. The battle made the North realize that the war would be long and bitter.
Battle 2: Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) 5. Where did the Battle of Shiloh take place?

Answer: Near the Shiloh Meeting House in Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.
6. Who were the Union generals leading the armies at the Battle of Shiloh?

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant and Don Carlos Buell
7. How did the battle unfold, and who withdrew at the end?

Answer: Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston attacked the Union forces, and
after fierce fighting, the combined Union forces counterattacked, forcing Confederate
General Beauregard to withdraw.
Battle 3: Antietam (September 17, 1862) 8. What was Confederate General Robert E. Lee's plan during
the Battle of Antietam?

Answer: Lee planned to take the war to the North, split his army, and threaten Washington, D.C.
9. Why was the Battle of Antietam significant for President Abraham Lincoln?

Answer: The battle halted Lee's invasion plans and gave Lincoln the opportunity to
announce the Emancipation Proclamation.
Battle 4: Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) 10. Who replaced General McClellan as the Union commander
before the Battle of Gettysburg? - Answer: General George Meade
11. Describe Pickett's Charge and its outcome during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Answer: Pickett's Charge was a Confederate assault on Union lines, breaking through
initially but failing to consolidate gains. The Confederates retreated, and the Union won
the battle.
Battle 5: Vicksburg (May 22-July 4, 1863) 12. Why was capturing Vicksburg important for the Union? Answer: Capturing Vicksburg would give the Union control of the entire Mississippi River.
13. How did Union General Ulysses S. Grant approach the siege of Vicksburg?

Answer: Grant led his army south on the west side of the Mississippi, crossed over, and
laid siege to Vicksburg.
General Questions: 14. What were the two battles that marked the turning point of the Civil War, and
why were they significant? - Answer: Gettysburg and Vicksburg were the turning point battles. They
halted Confederate momentum, boosted Union morale, and prevented European recognition of the
Confederacy.
15. What impact did the Civil War have on the American landscape?

Answer: The Civil War scarred the countryside, leading to significant destruction, loss of
life, and the establishment of many battlefield sites as National Parks.
Critical Thinking: 16. Imagine you are a Union soldier during the Battle of Gettysburg. Write a letter
home describing your experiences and emotions during the battle.
17. Compare and contrast the strategies of the Union and Confederate generals in the Battle of
Shiloh. How did these strategies contribute to the outcome of the battle?
18. Discuss the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation in relation to the Battle of Antietam.
How do you think this proclamation affected the course of the war?
Extension Activities: 19. Research and create a timeline of other major battles from the Civil War not
mentioned in the passage.
20. Choose one of the Civil War battles and create a visual representation, such as a map or
diorama, depicting the key moments of the battle.