The American Civil War was a conflict between the Union and Confederate forces that lasted from 1861 to 1865. Two of the most important battles of the war were fought at Gettysburg and ANTIETAM. The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place in July 1863, is considered one of the most decisive battles of the war and resulted in a Union victory. The Battle of ANTIETAM, which occurred in September 1862, was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history and resulted in a draw.