Civil War Trust

New Year's Resolution: Learn More about Civil War 1862

Expand Your Knowledge this Sesquicentennial

1862-2012 | Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War

2012 will mark the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War's second year: 1862. That year ushered in the bloodiest fighting America had ever seen. As compared to the fighting of 1861, battles like Shiloh, Gaines' Mill, Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Stones River shattered thoughts of a short war with modest sacrifices. 1862 also saw the rise of new central figures on both sides. Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, and George McClellan all rose to national and international attention in 1862. To expand your knowledge of the American Civil War why not make a resolution to learn more about this pivotal year? Check out our list below for a range of 1862 subjects and topics to pursue in this coming year.

The recommended books lists connect to our Civil War Trust - Amazon.com online bookstore where you can order books at competitive prices. The Trust will also receive a modest payment for each book purchased via this store. Our battlefield pages are filled with history articles, photos, maps, and other helpful links.

Fort Donelson

The battle where Grant earned his "Unconditional Surrender" nickname.
Recommended Books | Fort Donelson Page

The Civil War in the Far West

Confederate and Federal forces fight for control of the western territories

Glorieta Pass: Recommended Books | Glorieta Pass Page
Picacho Peak: Picacho Peak Page

The Battle of Shiloh

At its time, the bloodiest battle in American history. Johnston's surprise attack vs. Grant's determined resolve in Tennessee.
Recommended Books | Shiloh Page

Learn More about the Mississippi Battles that Followed Shiloh: Corinth Page | Iuka Page

Learn more about our Efforts to Save 267 Acres of the Shiloh-Fallen Timbers Battlefield

Jackson's 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign

Jackson's outnumbered forces dazzle and defeat the Union armies in the Shenandoah.
Recommended Books | Port Republic Page | Cross Keys Page | McDowell Page | Kernstown Page

The First Ironclad vs. Ironclad Naval Battle

Learn more about the historic battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia
Recommended Books | Battle of Hampton Roads Page

The Peninsula and Seven Day's Battles

McClellan's great invasion is turned back at the outskirts of Richmond by a new dynamic Confederate leader - Robert E. Lee.
Recommended Books on the Peninsula and Seven Days

Williamsburg: Williamsburg Page
Yorktown: Yorktown Page
Seven Pines: Seven Pines Page
Beaver Dam Creek: Beaver Dam Creek Page
Gaines' Mill: Gaines' Mill Page
Glendale: Glendale Page
Malvern Hill: Malvern Hill Page

Robert E. Lee's Northern Virginia Campaign

Lee and Jackson move north and gain victories at Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, and Chantilly.

The 1862 Maryland Campaign

Lee's Confederates cross the Potomac and engage in a dynamic campaign that almost ends in disaster at Antietam for the Army of Northern Virginia.

South Mountain: Recommended Books | South Mountain Page
Harpers Ferry: Recommended Books | Harpers Ferry Page
Antietam: Recommended Books | Antietam Page
Shepherdstown: Recommended Book | Shepherdstown Page

Understand the complexities of the Emancipation Proclamation

Bragg's 1862 Kentucky Campaign

Confederate forces push into Kentucky in a failed attempt to secure the Bluegrass State for the Confederacy
Recommended Book on the 1862 Kentucky Campaign

Richmond: Richmond Page
Munfordville: Munfordville Page
Perryville: Recommended Books | Perryville Page