The 5 Biggest Civil War Battles: The History of the 5 Deadliest Battles Between the Union and Confederacy

Summary

Americans have long been fascinated by the Civil War, marveling at the size of the battles, the leadership of the generals, and the courage of the soldiers. Since the war's start over 150 years ago, the battles have been subjected to endless debate among historians and the generals themselves.

By 1863, the Civil War had reached a level of ferocity not yet seen, and the 5 biggest battles would take place in 1863-1864, starting with Chancellorsville. Of all the Civil War battles fought, and of all the victories achieved by Robert E. Lee at the command of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, the Battle of Chancellorsville is considered the most tactically complex and ultimately the most brilliant Confederate victory of the war. Despite being outnumbered by over 2-1, Lee's army won a battle that saw 30,000 casualties inflicted upon the two sides.

Less than 2 months later, the Army of the Potomac and Army of Northern Virginia faced off in the most famous and biggest battle of the war at Gettysburg. Day 1 of the battle would have been one of the 25 biggest battles of the Civil War itself, and it ended with a tactical Confederate victory. But over the next two days, Lee would try and fail to dislodge the Union army with attacks on both of its flanks during the second day and Pickett’s Charge on the third and final day. Meade’s stout defense held, barely, repulsing each attempted assault, handing the Union a desperately needed victory that ended up being one of the Civil War’s turning points.

The second bloodiest battle of the Civil War came in September 1863 at Chickamauga, which saw George H. Thomas save the Union Army of the Cumberland from a disaster on the second day of the battle after a Union blunder had created a gap in the line. After nearly 35,000 casualties suffered by the two sides, Thomas prevented the destruction of the Union army by Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee.