Civil War - Battles

The Battle of Wauhatchie was fought from October 28 to October 29, 1863, during the Chattanooga Campaign. Confederate forces launched a night attack against General John W. Geary’s isolated Union division near Wauhatchie Station, but Union reinforcements forced them to retreat. The Union victory protected the “Cracker Line,” which carried supplies to the Union army trapped in Chattanooga.

Key facts about the Battle of Waynesboro.

The Union victory at the Battle of Waynesboro, fought on March 2, 1865 in Augusta County, Virginia, ended any meaningful Confederate presence in the Shenandoah Valley for the remainder of the Civil War.

Fought on October 23, 1864, the decisive Battle of Westport was the sixth major engagement during Price's Missouri Expedition of 1864. The Union victory helped end the last major Confederate offensive west of the Mississippi River.

The Battle of White Oak Road was fought on March 31, 1865, during the Appomattox Campaign. General Gouverneur K. Warren’s 5th Army Corps defeated Confederate forces after General Robert E. Lee tried to stop the Union advance along White Oak Road. The Union victory isolated General George Pickett’s Division from Lee’s main force and helped set the stage for the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Five Forks.

The Battle of the Wilderness was fought from May 5 to May 7, 1864, between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia during the Overland Campaign. After two days of fierce fighting in the dense Wilderness, neither army took the upper hand. Despite heavy casualties, Ulysses S. Grant refused to retreat and moved southeast toward Spotsylvania Court House.

The Battle of Williamsburg was fought on May 5, 1862, during the Peninsula Campaign, as Union forces pursued Joseph E. Johnston’s retreating Confederate army toward Richmond, Virginia. Heavy fighting took place around the Williamsburg Line and Fort Magruder, where Confederate forces delayed the Union advance. The battle was inconclusive, but the Confederate rearguard action gave Johnston time to move his army toward stronger defenses closer to Richmond.

The Battle of Williamsport was fought from July 6–16, during the Confederate retreat from Gettysburg. Heavy rains temporarily trapped Robert E. Lee’s army north of the Potomac River while Union forces under George G. Meade pursued it. Meade’s cautious advance gave Lee enough time to cross the river and escape into Virginia.

Key facts about the Wilson-Kautz Cavalry raid of 1864.

Part of the Petersburg Campaign, the Wilson-Kautz Raid (June 22–July 1, 1864) was a Union cavalry foray into the area southwest of Petersburg, Virginia, designed to destroy railroad track and facilities critical to supplying the Army of Northern Virginia encamped at Richmond.

The Battle of Wilson's Creek was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on August 10, 1861. It was the first major battle of the Civil War fought west of the Mississippi River. During the battle, General Nathaniel Lyon (USA), was killed, contributing to the Confederate victory.

Battle of Wilson's Creek facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Wilson’s Raid was a major Union cavalry raid led by General James H. Wilson that targeted a key Confederate munitions center in Selma, Alabama. After defeating Nathan Bedford Forrest, Wilson captured key locations in Alabama and Georgia. The raid also included the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis by Union forces.

Key facts about Union General James H. Wilson's 1865 raid into Alabama and Georgia.

The First Battle of Winchester was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on May 25, 1862. The outcome of the battle was a Confederate victory.

The Second Battle of Winchester was fought from June 13–15, 1863, during the Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate forces led by General Richard Ewell clashed with Union forces commanded by General Robert Milroy. Ewell’s forces surrounded Winchester, captured an important Union fort, and blocked Milroy’s attempt to evacuate. The Confederate victory cleared the upper Shenandoah Valley of Union resistance and opened the way for Robert E. Lee’s invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

The Yazoo Pass Expedition was a Union operation during the Vicksburg Campaign that lasted from February 3–April 8, 1863. Union forces attempted to reach Vicksburg through the Yazoo Pass but encountered Confederate defenses at Fort Pemberton. After several unsuccessful attacks, General Ulysses S. Grant canceled the expedition, resulting in a Confederate victory.

The Battle of Yellow Tavern was fought on May 11, 1864, during the Overland Campaign. General Philip Sheridan’s Union cavalry defeated General J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry after Grant sent Sheridan to disrupt Confederate communication and supply lines near Richmond. Stuart was mortally wounded during the battle and died the next day.

The Siege of Yorktown was fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, during the Peninsula Campaign. Confederate forces under John B. Magruder delayed George B. McClellan’s much larger Union army until Joseph E. Johnston withdrew toward Richmond. Although the United States won a tactical victory, the month-long delay allowed the Confederates to strengthen the defenses around Richmond, Virginia.