I’m so excited to share this collection of Civil War trivia with you. When my family gets together for holidays, we always end up playing some kind of trivia game, and history questions are always a hit. There’s something special about testing your knowledge while also learning new facts about such a pivotal time in American history.
In this article, I’ve put together over 100 Civil War trivia questions covering everything from famous battles and military leaders to everyday life during this tumultuous period. Whether you’re a history teacher looking for classroom material, a trivia night host, or just someone who loves learning about the past, these questions are perfect for you!
Civil War trivia is absolutely perfect for history buffs, classroom activities, road trips, or family game nights! Not only is it incredibly entertaining, but it’s also educational – you’re having fun AND learning something new at the same time.
Last summer, my family took a road trip through Virginia and Pennsylvania, visiting several Civil War battlefields. To pass the time in the car, I printed out some Civil War trivia questions, and it turned what could have been boring drive time into an exciting competition. My nephew, who claimed he didn’t care about history, ended up being the most enthusiastic participant!
These questions range from easy to challenging, so there’s something for everyone regardless of your knowledge level. Plus, exploring this crucial period in American history helps us better understand the foundation of our modern society.
Civil War Basics
Let’s start with some fundamental Civil War questions to set the stage. These cover the basic facts about the conflict that tore America apart for four bloody years. Even if you’re not a history expert, some of these might surprise you!
- In what year did the American Civil War begin? 1861
- What was the date of the first battle of the Civil War? April 12, 1861
- Which state was the first to secede from the Union? South Carolina
- Who was the president of the United States when the Civil War began? Abraham Lincoln
- Who served as president of the Confederate States of America? Jefferson Davis
- Which Confederate state was the last to rejoin the Union? Georgia
- What was the last major Confederate army to surrender? The Army of the Trans-Mississippi
- What was the nickname of the Confederate army? The Rebels
- What nickname was given to Union soldiers? Yankees
- How many states seceded from the Union to form the Confederacy? 11
- Which four slave states remained in the Union? Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri
- What was the name of the document that freed the slaves? The Emancipation Proclamation
- What date was the Emancipation Proclamation issued? January 1, 1863
- What was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history? The Battle of Antietam
- How many Americans died during the Civil War? Approximately 620,000
- What was “54-40 or Fight” in relation to the Civil War era? A slogan related to the Oregon boundary dispute
- What was the name of the Confederate flag commonly known as the “Stars and Bars”? The first national flag of the Confederacy
- What border state was known as “The Free State” during the Civil War? Maryland
- What were soldiers from West Virginia who fought for the Union called? The Mountain Boys
- What was the Anaconda Plan? The Union’s strategy to blockade Southern ports and control the Mississippi River
If you’re interested in exploring more historical questions beyond the Civil War, check out our collection of philosophical questions that can spark deep discussions about history and human nature.
Famous Civil War Battles
The Civil War was defined by its battles – bloody confrontations that determined the fate of the nation. These questions cover some of the most significant engagements of the war, from the first shots at Fort Sumter to the final Confederate surrenders.
I’ve always been fascinated by how many of these battlefields you can still visit today. Walking the grounds at Gettysburg a few years ago was an incredibly moving experience that made history come alive for me.
- What fort in Charleston Harbor was bombarded to start the Civil War? Fort Sumter
- What important northern city did General Lee hope to capture in the Gettysburg campaign? Washington D.C.
- At which battle did Union General William Tecumseh Sherman begin his “March to the Sea”? Atlanta
- What was the location of the last major Confederate surrender? Durham Station, North Carolina
- Which battle is considered the turning point of the Civil War? Gettysburg
- At what battle did Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson sustain the wounds that led to his death? Chancellorsville
- What battle was fought on July 1-3, 1863? The Battle of Gettysburg
- What was the first major battle of the Civil War? First Bull Run (First Manassas)
- Which Union general captured Atlanta in September 1864? William Tecumseh Sherman
- What Confederate fort was captured by Union forces in early 1862, opening the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to Union control? Fort Donelson
- What battle was fought at a crucial railroad junction in northern Mississippi in April 1862? The Battle of Shiloh
- Which battle was fought along Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland? The Battle of Antietam
- What December 1862 battle saw Union forces under General Burnside suffer a devastating defeat? The Battle of Fredericksburg
- What Virginia battle included fighting around places called the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, and Cold Harbor? The Overland Campaign
- What Civil War battle is sometimes called the “Petersburg Siege”? The Siege of Petersburg
- What battle was fought on December 31, 1862, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee? The Battle of Stones River
- What battle marked the surrender of Vicksburg to Grant? The Siege of Vicksburg
- What was the site of the last major Confederate victory? The Battle of Cold Harbor
- What 1864 naval battle in Alabama resulted in the famous quote “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead”? The Battle of Mobile Bay
- What battle saw the sinking of the USS Cairo, the first ship ever sunk by an electronically detonated mine? The Battle of Yazoo River
Looking for more thought-provoking historical questions? Our collection of deep topics to talk about includes fascinating discussions about historical events and their impact on society.
Civil War Leaders and Personalities
The Civil War was shaped by remarkable individuals whose decisions and actions changed the course of American history. From presidents to generals to ordinary people who did extraordinary things, these questions highlight the personalities who defined this era.
- Who was the commanding general of the Union Army at the end of the Civil War? Ulysses S. Grant
- Who was the commanding general of the Confederate Army? Robert E. Lee
- What Union general was known as “The Rock of Chickamauga”? George H. Thomas
- Which Confederate general was nicknamed “Stonewall”? Thomas J. Jackson
- Who was Abraham Lincoln’s vice president during most of the Civil War? Hannibal Hamlin
- Who became Lincoln’s vice president in his second term? Andrew Johnson
- Who was Jefferson Davis’s vice president? Alexander H. Stephens
- What Union general wrote the famous “Letter to Georgia,” declaring “War is hell”? William Tecumseh Sherman
- Who was the Confederate general who surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House? Robert E. Lee
- Which Civil War general later became U.S. president? Ulysses S. Grant
- Who was the Union general defeated at the First Battle of Bull Run? Irvin McDowell
- What Confederate raider was known as the “Gray Ghost”? John Singleton Mosby
- Who was the Union naval officer who said “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead”? Admiral David Farragut
- What famous nurse founded the American Red Cross after her Civil War service? Clara Barton
- Which Confederate general had served as U.S. Secretary of War before the Civil War? Jefferson Davis
- Who was the Union spy known as “The Cleopatra of the Secession”? Rose O’Neal Greenhow
- What famous abolitionist led the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859? John Brown
- Who was known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” for her nursing work? Clara Barton
- Which Confederate general lost an arm at Chancellorsville and died at Yellow Tavern? J.E.B. Stuart
- Who was the last surviving Civil War veteran, who died in 1956? Albert Woolson
If you enjoy testing your knowledge about historical figures, you might also like our collection of common sense trivia questions that include interesting facts about many influential people throughout history.
Civil War Military Trivia
The Civil War revolutionized military technology and tactics. From new weapons to innovative strategies, this conflict changed warfare forever. These questions explore the military aspects of the war beyond the famous battles and generals.
During a recent museum visit, I was amazed to see actual Civil War-era weapons and equipment. It’s incredible how primitive some of the medical tools were compared to today, yet how surprisingly advanced some of the weapons had become.
- What was the name of the Confederate ironclad ship that fought the USS Monitor? CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack)
- What new weapon was introduced during the Civil War that could be fired multiple times without reloading? The repeating rifle
- What type of fortification, named after a Confederate general, became widely used during the Civil War? Cheatham Hill
- What was the name given to the Union’s naval strategy to blockade Southern ports? The Anaconda Plan
- What was the main rifle used by Union soldiers? Springfield Model 1861
- What popular anesthetic was used during Civil War surgeries? Chloroform
- What percentage of wounds during the Civil War were caused by bullets? Over 90%
- What were Confederate paper dollars nicknamed? Greybacks
- What was the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat? H.L. Hunley
- Which Union general pioneered the use of entrenchments and earthworks? Ulysses S. Grant
- What was the name of the elite Union regiment composed of factory workers and craftsmen? The Iron Brigade
- What type of cannon was most commonly used during the Civil War? Napoleon 12-pounder
- What was the standard infantry formation used during the Civil War? Line formation
- What were Union observation balloons used for? Reconnaissance and artillery spotting
- What was the most deadly disease during the Civil War? Dysentery
- What percentage of Union soldiers were immigrants? Approximately 25%
- What rank did Robert E. Lee hold in the U.S. Army before resigning to join the Confederacy? Colonel
- What military decoration was created by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War? The Medal of Honor
- What was the first battle where both sides used ironclad ships? Hampton Roads
- How many men were drafted into the Confederate Army? None (the Confederate draft was never implemented)
Are you looking for more challenging questions to test your knowledge? Check out our collection of math trivia questions that will give your brain a different kind of workout after mastering these history questions.
Everyday Life During the Civil War
While generals fought and armies clashed, ordinary Americans continued living their lives under extraordinary circumstances. These questions explore what daily life was like during one of America’s most difficult periods.
I remember visiting a Civil War-era house that had been preserved as a museum. Seeing the actual household items really drove home how different (and in many ways more difficult) everyday life was back then.
- What did soldiers in both armies commonly use as a coffee substitute? Chicory
- What was “hardtack”? A hard cracker or biscuit made from flour, water, and salt
- What Christmas treat did Union General Sherman “give” to President Lincoln in 1864? The city of Savannah
- What new federal income tax was instituted to help fund the Civil War? 3% on annual incomes over $800
- What was the first national currency of the United States, created during the Civil War? Greenbacks
- What popular board game, still played today, gained popularity during the Civil War? Checkers
- What did soldiers often use to write letters home? Pencils made from lead
- What organization was founded in 1863 to provide aid to Union soldiers? The United States Sanitary Commission
- What was the average age of a Civil War soldier? 25 years old
- What percentage of the Southern white male population died in the Civil War? Approximately 18%
- What crop did Southern farmers increase production of as cotton production decreased? Food crops (corn, wheat, etc.)
- What communication technology saw significant advancement during the Civil War? The telegraph
- What type of photography became popular during the Civil War? Carte de visite (small portrait photographs)
- What were “contraband camps”? Settlements of escaped slaves under Union protection
- What did many women do to support the war effort? Work as nurses, make supplies, and manage farms/businesses
- What material was often used to make Confederate uniforms when cotton was scarce? Wool and homespun cloth
- What Civil War song became popular in both North and South? “Home, Sweet Home”
- What Civil War innovation improved medical care on battlefields? Ambulance corps
- What was the “bread riot” of 1863? Food protests by Confederate civilians facing shortages
- What popular children’s nursery rhyme originated during the Civil War? “Goober Peas” (about peanuts)
Do you enjoy learning about history through questions and conversations? Our collection of interesting topics to talk about includes many historical subjects that make for engaging discussions.
Civil War Legacy and Impact
The impact of the Civil War continues to be felt in American society today. These questions explore the aftermath of the conflict and its lasting legacy on our culture, politics, and national identity.
- What amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery? 13th Amendment
- What was the period of rebuilding the South after the Civil War called? Reconstruction
- What organization was founded in 1866 by Confederate veterans? The Ku Klux Klan
- What Civil War general established Memorial Day (originally Decoration Day)? General John A. Logan
- What happened to Jefferson Davis after the war? He was imprisoned for two years but never tried for treason
- What was the “Lost Cause” narrative? A view that romanticized the Confederate cause
- What major Civil War novel was published in 1936? “Gone with the Wind”
- What organization founded in 1866 originally advocated for Civil War veterans? The Grand Army of the Republic
- What Civil War general’s memoirs became a best-selling book? Ulysses S. Grant
- What industry boomed after the Civil War due to the need for artificial limbs? Prosthetics
- What constitutional amendments are known as the “Reconstruction Amendments”? 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
- What social change occurred in the South as a result of the Civil War? End of slavery and plantation economy
- What happened on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theatre? President Lincoln was assassinated
- What Union general was president during Reconstruction? Ulysses S. Grant
- What was the first national cemetery created during the Civil War? Gettysburg National Cemetery
If you enjoy testing your knowledge with challenging questions like these, you might also enjoy our would you rather questions that present interesting historical dilemmas and thought experiments.
Final Thoughts
Wow, that was quite a journey through one of America’s most defining periods! I hope these Civil War trivia questions provided both entertainment and education. Whether you’re using them for a classroom activity, a family game night, or just to brush up on your own knowledge, there’s always something fascinating to learn about this pivotal time in history.
I’ve used these questions with friends at gatherings, and they always spark interesting conversations. It’s amazing how events from over 150 years ago continue to shape our national identity and political discussions today.
How did you do? Were you surprised by any of the answers? I’d love to know which questions you found most interesting or which ones stumped you. Remember, learning about history isn’t just about memorizing dates and facts—it’s about understanding the human stories behind these events and how they continue to influence our world.
Looking for more ways to test your knowledge or spark great conversations? Check out our other trivia collections and conversation starters!