Robert E. Lee - Lee's Civil War Battle Summaries

Lee's Civil War Battle Summaries

The following are summaries of Civil War battles where Robert E. Lee was the commanding officer:

Battle Date Result Opponent Confederate troop strength Union troop strength Confederate casualties Union casualties Notes
Cheat Mountain September 11–13, 1861 Union victory Reynolds 15,000 2,000 100 21 Lee's first battle of the Civil War. Lee was severely criticized for the defeat and nicknamed "Granny Lee". Lee was sent to South Carolina to supervise fortifications.
Seven Days June 25 – July 1, 1862 Decisive Strategic Confederate Victory
  • Oak Grove: Draw (Union withdrawal)
  • Beaver Dam Creek: Union victory
  • Gaine's Mill: Confederate victory
  • Savage's Station: Draw
  • Glendale: Draw (Union withdrawal)
  • Malvern Hill: Union victory
McClellan 95,000 91,000 20,614 15,849
Second Manassas August 28–30, 1862 Confederate victory Pope 49,000 76,000 9,197 16,054
South Mountain September 14, 1862 Union victory McClellan 18,000 28,000 2,685 1,813
Antietam September 16–18, 1862 Inconclusive (strategic Union victory) McClellan 52,000 75,000 13,724 12,410
Fredericksburg December 11, 1862 Confederate victory (Lee's troops and supplies depleted) Burnside 72,000 114,000 5,309 12,653
Chancellorsville May 1, 1863 Confederate victory Hooker 57,000 105,000 12,764 16,792
Gettysburg July 1, 1863 Union victory Meade 75,000 83,000 23,231–28,063 23,049 The Confederate army that returned from the fight at Gettysburg was physically and spiritually exhausted. Lee would never again attempt an offensive operation of such monumental proportions. Meade, who had forced Lee to retreat, was criticized for not immediately pursuing Lee's army. This battle become known as the High Water Mark of the Confederacy. Lee would never personally invade the North again after this battle. Rather he was determined to defend Richmond and eventually Petersburg at all costs.
Wilderness May 5, 1864 Inconclusive (Lee's tactical victory, yet Grant continued his offensive) Grant 61,000 102,000 11,400 18,400
Spotsylvania May 12, 1864 Inconclusive (although beaten and unable to take Lee's staunch line defenses, Grant continued the Union offensive) Grant 52,000 100,000 12,000 18,000
Cold Harbor June 1, 1864 Inconclusive (tactically, Lee was the victor, but Grant continued the strategic offensive) Grant 62,000 108,000 2,500 12,000
Deep Bottom August 14, 1864 Confederate victory Hancock 20,000 28,000 1,700 2,901 Union attempt to attack Richmond, the Confederate capital
Appomattox (campaign) March 29, 1865 Union victory, Confederate surrender Grant 50,000 113,000 no record available 10,780 General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant. Casualties on Confederate side are enormous. After the surrender Grant gave Lee's army much-needed food rations, made them lay down their arms and return to their homes, never to take up arms against the Union again.

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