1861–1865 - Civil War

Black Kettle was a Cheyenne chief who is most well-known for his efforts to secure peace and safety for his people as Americans migrated westward. He was involved in the Sand Creek Massacre, and killed at the Battle of the Washita — two of the worst atrocities committed by the U.S. Army against the Plains Indians.

Francis “Frank” Preston Blair Jr. was a U.S. Senator and Congressman from Missouri. During the Civil War, he was one of President Abraham Lincoln's more successful political Generals, and led Union troops during some of the war’s most important campaigns.

Key facts about the violence experienced in the Kansas Territory prior to the American Civil War.

The term “Bleeding Kansas” refers to the violence and bloodshed that occurred in the Kansas Territory during the 1850s.

Major General James G. Blunt was a prominent Union officer who served in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. Blunt achieved some success, but defeats to William Quantrill and Sterling Price hurt his reputation, leading to his removal from command.

The Battle of Boonsboro was fought on July 8, 1863, during the Confederate retreat from Gettysburg. Confederate cavalry under General J.E.B. Stuart fought Union cavalry under Generals Judson Kilpatrick and John Buford before Union infantry reinforcements forced Stuart to withdraw. Although the battle ended inconclusively, Stuart delayed the Union advance toward Williamsport and gave General Robert E. Lee more time to retreat toward Virginia.

Boonville Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know.

Fought on June 17, 1861. the Battle of Boonville was a small, but significant engagement fought for control of central Missouri.

Boydton Plank Road Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, and who won.

Fought from October 27-28, 1864, during the Petersburg Campaign, the Battle of Boydton Plank Road, also known as the Battle of Burgess Mill, and the Battle of Hatcher's Run I, was a failed Union attempt to sever the Boydton Plank Road and South Side Railroad south of Petersburg, Virginia.

Braxton Bragg was a Confederate general during the American Civil War who served as a principal commander in the Western theater and later as a military advisor to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

APUSH Definition — Braxton Bragg (1817–1876) was a soldier who rose to prominence as a Confederate General during the Civil War. He is remembered for his reputation as being one of the worst officers to serve in the war.

The Battle of Brandy Station was fought on June 9, 1863, during the Gettysburg Campaign. Union cavalry under General Alfred Pleasonton surprised Confederate cavalry commanded by General J.E.B. Stuart but withdrew after a day of heavy fighting. Although the battle ended inconclusively, Union cavalry demonstrated that it could compete with Confederate cavalry for the remainder of the war.

The Battle of Brawner’s Farm was fought on August 28, 1862, during the Northern Virginia Campaign between Union forces under General John Gibbon and General Abner Doubleday and Confederate forces under General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The intense fighting ended in a stalemate and caused roughly 1,100 casualties on each side. After the battle, Union forces withdrew to Manassas Junction and joined General John Pope before the Second Battle of Bull Run.

U.S. Vice-president John C. Breckinridge was an American political leader who represented Kentucky in the U.S. House and Senate before serving as a general officer in the Confederate Army and as the fifth, and final, Confederate Secretary of War.

APUSH Definition — John C Breckinridge (1821–1875) was an officer in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was Vice President to James Buchanan and joined the Confederacy when the Civil War started. He is perhaps most well-known for being the youngest person elected vice president.

The Bristoe Campaign was fought from October 13 to November 7, 1863, after the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg. General George G. Meade and the Army of the Potomac pursued General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia during a series of battles and maneuvers. Although Lee opened the campaign with an offensive, Union victories at Bristoe Station and Rappahannock Station helped Meade force Lee to retreat southward.

The Battle of Bristoe Station was fought on October 14, 1863, during the Bristoe Campaign. Union General Gouverneur K. Warren’s Union 2nd Corps used a strong position along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad to defeat General A.P. Hill’s Confederate attack. The Union victory caused General Robert E. Lee to end his offensive and retreat southward.

The Battle of Brown’s Mill was fought on July 30, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign. Confederate cavalry under General Joseph Wheeler defeated General Edward M. McCook’s Union cavalry after blocking its retreat from a raid south of Atlanta. The Confederates captured nearly 1,300 Union soldiers, and the defeat prolonged the Atlanta Campaign by allowing supplies to continue reaching Atlanta.

James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. During his time in office, the regional divide over slavery intensified, leading to the Secession Crisis. Buchanan is most well-known for his handling of the crisis — or lack thereof — which led to the secession of Southern States during his final months in office, leaving a divided nation for his successor, Abraham Lincoln.