The battle for this strategically important city on the Mississippi River was the turning point of the war in the West.
The first major battle, it changed attitudes about war in both the North and South and proved the war would be difficult and long.
This battle was the turning point of the war in the East. Its high casualties resulted from the use of old-fashioned tactics in a day of more modern weapons.
After this Union victory - the bloodiest day of the war - President Lincoln fired General McClellan and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
