The eastern theater of the American Civil War stretched across Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and coastal North Carolina. It included Washington, D.C., and the Atlantic seaboard fortifications that guarded Southern ports.
The skirmish on the 3rd of June 1861 known as the Battle of Philippi became the first land battle of the Civil War. This engagement occurred in western Virginia where Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan ordered troops to march from Grafton.
At over 23,000 casualties it remains bloodiest single day in American history despite being tactically inconclusive. The fighting took place at Antietam Creek on the 17th of September 1862 where Joseph Hooker mounted powerful assault on Lee left flank.
Lee surrendered his army Appomattox Court House April 1865 bringing major operations area close essentially guaranteeing Union victory. This event concluded the long siege spanning more than 30 miles 50 km around Richmond and Petersburg.
Three-day battle fought by 160,000 soldiers resulted in 51,000 total casualties making it war turning point. The conflict began as meeting engagement morning July 1 when brigades from Henry Heth division clashed with Buford cavalry then John F. Reynolds I Corps.