Civil War in Virginia—10 Major Battles and Surrender
Virginia was a major theater of the American Civil War and it is difficult to travel in the state without encountering historical markers and battlefields. This list contains 10 major battles leading to the final surrender at Appomattox. The encounters are listed chronologically and provide a brief summary to provide some context for readers interested in further exploration.
The attached map provides a quick reference for planning and geographic context. Although small battles and skirmishes took place throughout the state, you will note that most of the major Virginia battles were fought in a pretty tight corridor between Washington D.C. and Richmond.
Manassas—First Bull Run
July 21, 1861
Union: Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell
Confederate: P.G.T. Beauregard, Joseph E. Johnson
In July 1861 the Union and Confederate armies met at Manassas for what was believed to be a battle to quickly conclude the war. Spectators gathered to watch the event, which lasted a single day and resulted in 900 casualties. Spectators were forced to flee the carnage and instead of ending the war, the battle concluded in an essential draw that would ultimately lead to years of protracted warfare.
Conclusion: Standoff
Richmond—Peninsula Campaign
March 17-July 1, 1862
Union: George McClellan
Confederate: Joseph E. Johnson, Robert E. Lee
This amphibious assault into Southeastern Virginia was devised by General McClellan and intended to capture Richmond, the Confederate capitol. Initially, Union forces were successful against the cautious Confederate commander, General Johnson. Several attempts to flank the retreating Confederate forces proved unsuccessful, but the Union managed to advance to the outskirts of Richmond. When General Johnson was wounded by artillery shrapnel, Robert E. Lee took command and successfully turned the Peninsula Campaign into a humiliating Union defeat.
Conclusion: Confederate Victory
Manassas—Second Bull Run
August 29-30, 1862
Union: Maj. Gen. John Pope
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
While McClellan was still withdrawing from the peninsula, Lee ordered Stonewall Jackson to block the advance of General Pope’s forces in Northern Virginia. The Union and Confederate armies clashed in what is known as Second Manassas, but this time it was a meeting of hardened veterans. Pope attacked Jackson’s defensive line with some initial success, but seemed unaware that General Longstreet’s Corps had arrived on Jackson’s right flank. A counterattack by Longstreet sent Pope’s forces into a headlong retreat. The Confederate goal of completely destroying Pope’s army was not achieved and both sides suffered heavy casualties. Nevertheless, this encounter convinced Lee that he could carry the war into Maryland.
Conclusion: Standoff
Fredericksburg
December 11-15, 1862
Union: Ambrose Burnside
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
A depiction of the pontoon bridge construction while taking fire.
General Burnside planned to cross the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg and drive on Richmond before Lee’s forces could move to intercept his army. Delays in receiving the necessary pontoon bridges allowed forces under Lee’s command to occupy and fortify the heights overlooking the Rapphannock. The resulting frontal assault by Union forces was repulsed in a series or actions described as a “blood bath.” Burnside was forced to retreat after another embarassing Union defeat.
Conclusion: Confederate Victory
Chancellorsville
April 30-May 6, 1863
Union: Joseph Hooker
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
Stonewall Jackson following surgery to amputate his arm. He would die 8 days later.
The two armies faced each other on opposite sides of the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg. In an effort to regain the initiative, Joseph Hooker moved a majority of his army upstream, crossed the river and consolidated his force at Chancellorsville. In conjunction with the force remaining in front of Fredericksburg, Hooker intended to perform a double envelopment. Lee also split his army and systematically pinned down and defeated the Union forces. Confederate actions around Chancellorsville are considered by many to be Lee’s perfect battle, but it resulted in the death of Stonewall Jackson, one of his most talented generals.
Conclusion: Confederate Victory
Wilderness
May 5-7, 1864
Union: U.S. Grant, George Meade
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
Fighting took place in these dense woods near Locust Grove, Virginia.
The Battle of the Wilderness took place near Locust Grove, Virginia and about 20 miles from Fredericksburg. This was the first engagement in U.S. Grant’s Overland Campaign, which was intended to be a battle of attrition to wear down Confederate army through a relentless offensive action. The battle proved bloody and inconclusive, with some 29,000 casualties. Grant ultimately disengaged, but remained in an offensive posture.
Conclusion: Standoff
Spotsylvania Courthouse
May 8-21, 1864
Union: U.S. Grant, George Meade
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
A section of the Confederate line. Parts of the defensive earthworks are still visible.
In the second major battle of the Overland Campaign, Grant attempted to draw Lee into the open for a more conclusive fight. Confederate troops, however, gained the advantage by beating Grant to the critical crossroad at Spotsylvania Courthouse. Lee’s forces once again dug in and repulsed Union attacks in another inconclusive and bloody contest. A combined 32,000 casualties was the highest of Overland Campaign.
Conclusion: Standoff
Richmond—Cold Harbor
May 31-June 12, 1864
Union: U.S. Grant, George Meade
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
Following several smaller engagements and repeated Union attempts to flank and overwhelm the Confederates, the armies or Grant and Lee each received reinforcements. Near the town of Mechanicsville, the armies engaged in the battle that became known as Cold Harbor. Lee constructed a line of strong defensive positions that withstood a series of bloody and pointless Union assaults. Grant was finally able to flank the Confederate army and force Lee’s withdrawal to the fortified city of Peterburg.
Conclusion: Standoff
Petersburg Siege
June 14, 1864 to April 2, 1865
Union: U.S. Grant, George Meade
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
A siege mortar used to bombard Confederate entrenchments.
The initial assult on Petersburg was conducted by Union forced under the command of Benjamin Butler. A probe of the lines was conducted and repulsed with minimal casualties. Nevertheless, the Union forces, who faced undermanned defenses, inexplicably withdrew. As a result, what should have been a decisive Union victory allowed Lee to reinforce the defensive line. Grant was obliged to conduct a 5-month siege of the confederate entrenchments surrounding Petersburg.
Conclusion: Union Victory
Cedar Creek
October 19, 1864
Union: Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan
Confederate: Lt. Gen. Jubal Early
This final battle of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 was fought on October 19th of that year when Gen. Early launched a surprise attack on Gen. Sheridan's Union forces. Initial losses were stemmed after Sheridan rode from Winchester to rally his troops. Early's divisions were routed and decisively defeated. This northern victory ended the Confederacy's ability to threaten Washington D.C. through the Shenandoah Valley.
Conclusion: Union Victory
Appomattox
April 9, 1865
Union: U.S. Grant, George Meade
Confederate: Robert E. Lee
Grant and Lee as depicted during their historic meeting.
Following Lee’s withdrawal from Petersburg, he intended to march south and consolidate his army with the remaining Army of Tennessee. This led to a series of small skirmishes that finally stalled Lee’s march. In a series of exchanges with Grant, Lee agreed to surrender.
The village of Appomattox Court House was little more than a stop on the stagecoach line between Richmond and Lynchburg, but gained national significance when it became the site of the surrender. The terms of surrender delivered by Grant were earlier outlined by President Lincoln. Written pardons were provided to each Confederate soldier and the declaration of surrender stated that the combatants could return to their homes without risk of reprisal.
Conclusion: Confederate Surrender
All of the battlefields contained in this list are managed by the National Park Service. Each site offers exhibits, films, access to the actual battlefield and experts to answer questions.
For further reading or to plan your visit, here are a few important links:
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Historical Park
Petersburg National Battlefield