HowStuffWorks Videos "US Civil War: The Siege of Petersburg"

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Gettysburg (0:45)

From the Archives of Discovery: In one of the bloodiest battles in United States history, the fate of the nation was decided. Learn more about Gettysburg and the Civil War in this video.

American Civil War: The Battle of Bull Run (2:19)

At the first major battle of the Civil War, Confederate General Thomas Jackson rallied the Virginians under his command to turn the tide against the Union, earning him the nickname “Stonewall.”

American Civil War: The Field Hospital (1:30)

Diseases and infections killed more men than battle wounds did.

American Civil War: The War in the West (2:30)

Ulysses S. Grant provided Lincoln with some early wins in the Western theater. Union gunboats helped the North win, and Grant earned his nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.

American Civil War: Battle of Shiloh (1:43)

Grant and Johnston faced off at Shiloh, Tennessee, where Johnston was mortally wounded, and reinforcements allowed Grant to win the battle on its second day.

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US Civil War: Union Forces Capture Petersburg (1:46)

General Grant broke through at Petersburg and followed General Lee’s army across southern Virginia. Lee was eventually surrounded by Grant and surrendered to him at Appomattox.

US Civil War: The Siege of Petersburg (1:42)

General Grant could not break General Lee’s lines or his defenses at Petersburg, so the Union settled into a siege of the city.

US Civil War: The Battle of Cold Harbor (0:29)

General Grant and Lee continued to battle, but Grant could replace lost men and supplies and Lee could not.

US Civil War: The Battle of Spotsylvania (0:31)

General Grant didn’t retreat, but went around General Lee and then battled him at Spotsylvania.

US Civil War: The Battle of the Wilderness (0:49)

General Lee attacked General Grant’s troops in a swampy area where guns set the woods on fire.

US Civil War: The Siege of Vicksburg (1:42)

Vicksburg, Mississippi, eventually surrendered to General Grant after six weeks of bombardment and food shortages.

US Civil War: Battle of Gettysburg (8:18)

General Lee’s Confederate troops ran into General George Meade’s Union troops near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, leading to the largest battle in American history.