American Civil War Quiz
What years did the Civil War span?
- The Civil War started on April 12 1861 and ended on April 9, 1865.
During the Civil War, what battle marked the single bloodiest day in American history?
- Though the Battle of Gettysburg was the battle that caused the most casualties over several days, the Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest and most deadly in terms of a single day.
Who was the commander of the Confederate army during the Civil War?
- Lee led the Confederacy's most impressive and well-trained forces, the Army of Northern Virginia, between 1862 and 1865, when he surrendered.
Which of the following took the most lives during the war?
- Though the casualty counts from Civil War battles were certainly high due to weaponry, the diseases that ravished the ranks were lethal for many soldiers, including malaria and gangrene.
During the first ironclad battle at Hampton Roads, what were the names of the vessels involved?
- This clash was the first naval battle in the US to involve ironclads, the newest war vessels of the time.
What became of John Wilkes Booth after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln?
- John Wilkes Booth fled to Virginia where Union soldiers found and shot him 12 days after he assassinated the president.
Where were the first shots of the Civil War fired?
- On April 12, 1861, at 4:30 a.m., Fort Sumpter in South Carolina was fired upon by Confederate forces, marking the start of the Civil War.
While the Battle of Gettysburg was raging in Pennsylvania, what other battle was being fought in Mississippi at the exact same time?
- Between the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg over the course of early July 1863, many believe this was the turning point for the Union forces in the Civil War.
The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous and influential documents in recent history. How many drafts did Lincoln create before the final copy?
- Before Lincoln opened with the iconic words "Four-score and seven years ago", he had rewritten the address four separate times.
The Confederate forces officially surrendered to the Union at Appomattox how many days before or after President Lincoln was assassinated?
- Lincoln lived for only a few days after Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Confederate army on April 9, 1865.
