Virginia was a crucial state during the Civil War due to the number of battles that took place in the state. Although Virginia is not the only state in which battles took place, more Civil War battles took place in Virginia than in any other state. Many historians have attempted to put a specific number on the number of battles fought in the Commonwealth; however, this is a very debatable question because a certain Virginia was also the scene of many skirmishes, slightly different from battles. Although all Civil War battles are important, there are also several opinions as to which battles are most important. Personally, three of the most important battles of the Civil War in Virginia include the First Battle of Bull Run or Manassas, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and the Battle of Appomattox or Appomattox Courthouse. The First Battle of Bull Run/Manassas was significant because it was the first major land battle of the Civil War. The battle began on July 21, 1861 at around 5:15 a.m. During this particular battle, the Confederate and Union commanders were not the individuals commonly associated with the Civil War. In fact, the Union was commanded by Irvin McDowell and the Confederate forces were commanded by Joseph Johnson and PGT Beauregard. Initially, General Irvin McDowell and his troops were ordered by Abraham Lincoln and the federal government to advance south from Washington to Bull Run, which would bring them closer to the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Lincoln believed that a quick Confederate victory would force them to end their acts of rebellion on a quick battlefield. The Confederate Army had a preview of the attack by Union forces...... middle of paper ...... entrusted to General Ulysses S. Grant because he had nothing left to lose. Although McLean decided to step away from battles after the First Battle of Bull Run, the Civil War still saw its final days in McLean's home in Appomattox County. Although not all Civil War battles took place in the Commonwealth, the number of battles fought in Virginia and their importance in the war made Virginia an important Civil War state. There is no specific criteria for determining which battles fought in Virginia are considered more important than others and some might even argue that all battles are of equal importance. Very similar to a musical performance in which the audience usually remembers the beginning and end of the piece, it is typical for individuals to remember the importance of the first battle and the last battle of wars..