The most gruesome, gory, and vicious war in american history is the American Civil War, 1861-1865, which is known for its high number of battles and high death toll. The war began after seven states seceded from the Union (South Carolina, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama). This war had been brewing throughout the 1850's over the topic of slavery in western expansion. This brutal war was fought in the south, the highest point of battle being the Battle of Gettysburg, one of the major turning points in the Civil War in favor of the Union. After four bloody years and the surrender of General Robert E. Lee, the brilliant Confederate leader, the Confederate States of America surrendered to President Lincoln and the Unites States of America.
Union and Confederate dead, Gettysburg Battlefield, Pa., July 1863. By Timothy H. O'Sullivan. 165-SB-36. This picture shows a Confederate and Union soldier lying dead next to each other after the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1,2,3 1863), one of the bloodiest battles in American History.
Antietam Bridge, Md., September 1862. Soldiers and wagons cross the bridge. By Alexander Gardner. 165-SB-19. This picture shows the Antietam Bridge, which the Confederate Army marched over to suffer a defeat at the the battle at Antietam (September 7, 1862).
Fort Sumter, S.C., April 14, 1861, under the Confederate occupation. 121-BA-914A. Photographer Unknown. This picture shows Fort Sumter, which was the first American fort that the Confederates attacked and by doing so, started the Civil War.
Amputation being performed in a hospital tent, Gettysburg, July 1863. 79-T-2265. Photographer Unknown. This picture shows an amputation being performed in front of a medical tent, which shows how gruesome and gory the Civil War really was.
Pontoon bridge at Bull Run, Va., 1862. 111-B-68. Photographer Unknown. This picture shows a pontoon boat bridge, which soldiers carried and used to cross bridges, which shows some of the technological advances of the war.