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U.S. Civil War Trivia

U.S. Civil War Trivia Quizzes

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Also known as "the war between the states", the U.S. Civil War was in large part a result of the economic, moral, and political differences between states on the subject of slavery.
333 quizzes and 4,662 trivia questions.
1.
  Difficult The Civil War - Part D Quiz - 10 Questions    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It's been a while since I made a quiz so thought I would do one. As usual battles, dates, people. No fill-in-the-blank questions.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Colmosby, Oct 17 09
Difficult
Colmosby
1793 plays
2.
  Civil War History    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hey ya'll again. Hope you played my last quiz and I hope you'll have fun answering these questions. I'll throw a bit of everything in this one. Have fun.
Tough, 10 Qns, colmosby, Jun 08 23
Tough
colmosby
Jun 08 23
1785 plays
3.
  Don't Leave in a Huff    
Collection Quiz
 11 Qns
Leading up to and during the American Civil War, several state governments were livid about the possible abolition of slavery. Their response was to secede from the Union.
Easier, 11 Qns, Buddy1, Oct 13 23
Easier
Buddy1 gold member
Oct 13 23
486 plays
4.
  Civil War Hodge-Podge   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
This, that and another thing or two, maybe three.
Difficult, 25 Qns, ricbatcheller, Dec 03 21
Difficult
ricbatcheller
Dec 03 21
8852 plays
5.
  Poems and Songs of the US Civil War   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The US Civil War was one of the darkest eras in that nation's history. The songs and poems that came out of that time not only shed light on the war but on the feelings and fears that many felt. I hope you enjoy and learn from this little quiz.
Easier, 10 Qns, Bigwoo, Apr 03 10
Easier
Bigwoo gold member
5247 plays
6.
  Civil War Nicknames   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
The American Civil War - by nicknames.
Difficult, 25 Qns, ricbatcheller, Sep 20 14
Difficult
ricbatcheller
5379 plays
7.
  Random Facts about the Civil War   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The war lives on in popular imagination, but how much do you remember from those facts you memorized for history class?
Average, 10 Qns, stardust587, Mar 05 20
Average
stardust587
Mar 05 20
12338 plays
8.
  What do you know about American Civil War?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will test your knowledge of the civil war. Good luck, and enjoy! There are no hints for any of the questions, so you're on your own.
Average, 10 Qns, raghudhara, Aug 18 11
Average
raghudhara
6031 plays
9.
  Strange Facts About the Civil War   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are some odd and strange facts about the Civil War.
Tough, 10 Qns, jkgregg, Jan 12 15
Tough
jkgregg
6826 plays
10.
  U.S. Civil War   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
The following are questions about the U.S. Civil War. They are not in any chronological order. Hope you enjoy.
Tough, 15 Qns, Jack1331, Apr 17 18
Tough
Jack1331
Apr 17 18
8975 plays
trivia question Quick Question
What play was Lincoln watching when he was assassinated?

From Quiz "Civil War Expert?"




11.
  The Civil War - Part E    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For Rookies: This quiz is for those who don't know much about the war but should have read about it in school. If you don't get 10 out of 10 you need to read the history books again. Have fun.
Easier, 10 Qns, colmosby, Aug 19 05
Easier
colmosby
5975 plays
12.
  Civil War Medical Stuff   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
While watching a news interview show that had an expert on Civil War Medicine history I decided to create this quiz.
Tough, 25 Qns, foxgap, Dec 16 14
Tough
foxgap
5486 plays
13.
  10 Civil War Questions    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is about the biggest war in U.S. history. It dealt the nation a severe blow. For Civil War Buffs only. All you other guys, good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, hooyahmicah, Mar 16 13
Average
hooyahmicah
5833 plays
14.
  Civil War Mixture   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
A Civil War who, what, and when?
Difficult, 15 Qns, ricbatcheller, Nov 03 12
Difficult
ricbatcheller
4000 plays
15.
  The United States Tragedy: The Civil War   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
While all wars are tragic. The American Civil War in particular, was violent and bloody. This war eliminated almost 2 and half percent of the U.S. population.
Average, 10 Qns, mohiba, Dec 27 12
Average
mohiba
3047 plays
16.
  A Civil War Reenactor's Rations   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Are you an American Civil War reenactor? Are you looking for ideas about historically accurate rations, both how to carry them and how to cook them? Try this quiz!
Average, 10 Qns, littlepup, Dec 07 16
Average
littlepup
381 plays
17.
  My Biggest Civil War Quiz Yet!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
General questions about many things and many people. The questions are not in any particular order and go back and forth between the start and end of the war. Have fun and let me know how you like it.
Tough, 25 Qns, foxgap, May 13 17
Tough
foxgap
4305 plays
18.
  Civil War Mountains, Hills, and Creeks   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
A look at the high ground, and around and down in the valleys and the creeks.
Average, 15 Qns, ricbatcheller, Aug 31 13
Average
ricbatcheller
3027 plays
19.
  It Came from the Civil War   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about things that arose out of the American Civil War. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, blakey, Mar 05 13
Average
blakey
5144 plays
20.
  American Civil War - From Cabin Boys to Generals    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Medal of Honor was the only medal authorized by Congress during the Civil War. For this reason, many Medals of Honor were awarded for acts of bravery that would not meet the standards of today. More than 40% of the recipients fought in the Civil War.
Average, 10 Qns, ncterp, May 21 23
Average
ncterp gold member
May 21 23
320 plays
21.
  Random Civil War Facts   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
American Civil War facts you wouldn't think of.
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, bruush, Jun 29 08
Very Difficult
bruush
5803 plays
22.
  Are You Ready to Serve as a US Civil War Doctor?   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A Civil War military doctor faced problems different from one in civilian life. And he was limited by c.1860 knowledge, also. Could you have handled the job?
Tough, 10 Qns, littlepup, Dec 04 16
Tough
littlepup
510 plays
23.
  Civil War Ghost Stories and Lore   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
This quiz is an outgrowth of a Halloween thread I used to do for a Civil War forums. Hope you enjoy.
Average, 20 Qns, F6FHellcat, Aug 06 19
Average
F6FHellcat
Aug 06 19
299 plays
24.
  Civil War - Part Deux   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This is a little easier than the last one!
Average, 15 Qns, Fian, Feb 11 14
Average
Fian
5247 plays
25.
  The U.S. Civil War !    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This test will show you how much you know about seventh grade Civil War history.
Average, 10 Qns, yentruoc, Jul 01 23
Average
yentruoc
Jul 01 23
4891 plays
26.
  Civil War - Who, What, Where?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Who was the first, what was the second, and I don't know the third. Do you?
Difficult, 15 Qns, ricbatcheller, Mar 31 20
Difficult
ricbatcheller
Mar 31 20
2620 plays
27.
  The American Civil War   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz concerning the American Civil War. No dates or casualty figures. I think testing on numbers is a poor display of knowledge.
Difficult, 10 Qns, IlliniBob72, Mar 11 10
Difficult
IlliniBob72
6034 plays
28.
  Civil War Firsts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Based on a list of items said to have first occured during the war. This list can be found in Burke Davis's book "The Civil War: Strange and Fascinating Facts."
Average, 10 Qns, F6FHellcat, Jul 01 23
Average
F6FHellcat
Jul 01 23
3755 plays
29.
  Civil War: "Burgs"   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I will list events and people. You name the 'Burg' it happened in.
Average, 15 Qns, ricbatcheller, Jan 29 14
Average
ricbatcheller
2710 plays
30.
  Civil War : Volume 4    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a fun look at triva from the American Civil War. Have Fun!
Very Easy, 10 Qns, qanan, Jan 27 12
Very Easy
qanan
6165 plays
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U.S. Civil War Trivia Questions

1. It has been quoted in many ways and numerous contexts but one of the better known quotes from the time period is "War is Hell". Who said it?

From Quiz
Back to Civil War "Hell"

Answer: W T Sherman

It seems this quote originates from his address to the graduating class of the Michigan Military Academy (19 June 1879); but slightly varying accounts of this speech have been published. Here's the full text: "I've been where you are now and I know just how you feel. It's entirely natural that there should beat in the breast of every one of you a hope and desire that some day you can use the skill you have acquired here. Suppress it! You don't know the horrible aspects of war. I've been through two wars and I know. I've seen cities and homes in ashes. I've seen thousands of men lying on the ground, their dead faces looking up at the skies. I tell you, war is Hell!

2. Who said ...? "I hate newspapermen. They come into camp and pick up their camp rumors and print them as facts. I regard them as spies, which, in truth, they are. If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast."

From Quiz Civil War "Hell"

Answer: William T Sherman

Sherman had been severely criticized early in the war and learned quickly. During the war newspapers often were the only source of news. Reporters often sensationalized stories supporting or attacking anyone in politics or uniform - anything that would sell papers. Look at press given to Jeff Davis or Abraham Lincoln. If history repeats itself, today's events show others share similar opinions.

3. The Confederate Indian Commissioner who negotiated treaties with the various tribes located in Indian Territory was?

From Quiz The Civil War In The Indian nations

Answer: Albert Pike

Albert Pike agreed on behalf of the Confederate States to continue their annual payments as promised them by the United States. Various tribes would also be recognized as sovereign nations, nor would they be required to serve outside of Indian Territory.

4. What was the container primarily used to carry rations, for soldiers on both sides in the American Civil War?

From Quiz A Civil War Reenactor's Rations

Answer: a haversack

The haversack was usually a white or whitish linen or cotton pouch with a buttoned flap, or a black painted or rubber one with a buckled flap. It hung by one's side, and soon became greasy and dirty enough that it wasn't fit for much else. Reenactors can help keep food clean by putting it in regularly-washed calico bags or in clean cotton cloth or brown paper.

5. Which confederate general led armies into Kentucky in 1862?

From Quiz American Civil War

Answer: Braxton Bragg

Henry W. Halleck was a Union general. Joseph E. Johnston was wounded and replaced by Robert E. Lee near Richmond, Virginia. Braxton Bragg was the commander of the C.S.A army of Tennessee.

6. On April 1, 1865, the South began its final offensive. The Confederate Army was led by General George E. Pickett, the Union Army by General Philip Sheridan. What was the name of the battle, fought near Petersburg, Virginia?

From Quiz April, 1865

Answer: Battle of Five Forks

The Battle of Five Forks was fought around a road junction in Dinwiddie County. Seriously outnumbered at least two-to-one, the South suffered nearly 3000 casualties to the Union's 800+. The Union Army gained control of the Five Forks and, thus, the South Side Railroad, a major supply line to Petersburg, placing the Confederate capital in Richmond, Virginia, in peril.

7. What Union general murdered Union General William Nelson in Kentucky and was never punished for the murder?

From Quiz Just Another U.S. Civil War Quiz 2

Answer: B.G. Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis shot William Nelson inside the Galt House which was being used as a base of operations. Davis shot Nelson because he felt Nelson had disrespected him by slapping his face after Davis flicked a wad of paper at him. Nelson died of his wounds and after two weeks of investigation, Jefferson Davis was released without charge.

8. About 80 percent of all wounds received in the war were inflicted by what weapons?

From Quiz Civil Warriors

Answer: single shot muzzle loading rifles

Soldiers were either killed outright or died from infected wounds or amputations. Most rifles carried bayonets, but very few soldiers were injured by bayonets.

9. What event is generally held to have marked the start of the Civil War in 1861?

From Quiz Civilized War!

Answer: Attack on Fort Sumter

The attack on Fort Sumter was led by Confederate commander P.G.T. Beauregard and this was the major event that kicked the war off.

10. U.S. Grant's favorite black steed was named after an Ohio city. Which city was it?

From Quiz American Civil War - Horses and Riders

Answer: Cincinnati

Cincinnati is just a few miles down the Ohio river from Grant's birthplace of Point Pleasant, Ohio. Cincinnati, his horse, stood some seventeen hands high. Grant had a way with horses from very early in his childhood and was the best horseman at West Point during his time there.

11. Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America, but who was the Vice-President?

From Quiz The United States Tragedy: The Civil War

Answer: Alexander Stephens

Just as Jefferson Davis was the only President of the Confederacy, Alexander Stephens was the only Vice-President. Robert Toombs served as the first Secretary of State. Leroy Pope Walker served as the first Secretary of War. John H. Reagan served as the Postmaster General. After the war, Alexander Stephens eventually ended up serving in the United States Senate.

12. Who was the leader of the Confederacy?

From Quiz All about The American Civil War!

Answer: Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis was the leader of the Southern Confederacy, whilst Abraham Lincoln led the Union, assisted by Ulysses Grant. Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union (1985-1991).

13. The man commonly given credit for pulling the first lanyard that fired the opening cannon shot of the Civil War ended his life pulling the trigger of a musket with its business end in his mouth. Who was this man and what state was he from?

From Quiz More Civil War Connections and Characters

Answer: Edmund J. Ruffin, Virginia

Ruffin was an ardent seccessionist from South Carolina and a flame throwing newspaper writer adamantly against staying in the Union. When it was all over, he said he'd refuse to live under Yankee rule and one warm June day in 1865 on his front porch took his own life. Rhett was another "fire-eater", an outspoken pro-seccession landowner from South Carolina. Called the "Father of Seccession", his home in Beaufort, SC is on the list of historically preserved homes in a lovely historically preserved town. It has been converted into a hotel and a pleasant evening dining on the verandah can be had in the "fire-eater's" home. Robert Rodes was a CSA general killed in the fighting at Winchester VA in 1864 and is buried in Lynchburg VA not far from old Jubal Early's gravesite. Thomas Rosser was a CSA cavalry general and a good friend of his classmate at West Point, George Custer, until they ran into each other in several fights in the Shenandoah Valley and at the end of the War in and around Appomattox.

14. The Confederate uniforms held the initials A.V.C. which stood for _______ Volunteer Corps. What is the missing word?

From Quiz Just another U.S. Civil War quiz

Answer: Alabama

Alabama Volunteer Corps was a unit in the Confederate army. It was started in February 1860 out of a group of militia men.

15. How many people are estimated to have died in the Civil War?

From Quiz American Civil War

Answer: 618,000

About 620,000 people died in the Civil War. Most of these deaths were caused by disease, uncleaned medical equipment that spread disease, and lead bullet wounds, which were usually lethal. Starvation was another major cause of death.

16. The firing at which fort started the Civil War?

From Quiz American Civil War

Answer: Fort Sumter

The firing at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina started the civil war. Here Confederate soldiers tried to take the Union-controlled fort. The Confederates fired the first shots of the war.

17. Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston was mortally wounded and died at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. What was the name of the horse he was riding when he recieved his fatal wound.

From Quiz Civil War Trivia

Answer: Fire Eater

Johnston was riding his horse "Fire Eater" when he recieved the mortal wound on April 6, 1862.

18. John C. Fremont, Nathaniel Lyon's successor as military commander of the West, did something in 1861 that caused Lincoln much grief. What was it?

From Quiz The Civil War in Missouri: 2

Answer: He freed Missouri's slaves

In the fall of 1861, John C. Fremont, the Republican presidential candidate in 1856 and now commander of the department of Missouri, issued an order freeing the state's slaves. President Lincoln quickly revoked the order, because Fremont did not have the authority and Lincoln, at this early stage of the war, needed to make certain that the border states (all slave) stayed in the Union. Radical Republicans and abolitionists were sharply critical of Lincoln for rescinding the order.

19. Who initially commanded Union forces in Missouri?

From Quiz The Civil War in Missouri: 1

Answer: William Harney

Harney initially commanded Union forces in Missouri from St. Louis, but was soon replaced by Nathaniel Lyon. Ulysses S. Grant led a small number of troops in Missouri operations in 1861, but never had overall command. William S. Rosecrans commanded Union forces in Missouri through most of 1864.

20. The "battle above the clouds" was on which Tennessee mountain?

From Quiz Civil War Mountains, Hills, and Creeks

Answer: Lookout Mountain

On the afternoon of November 24, 1863 Grant dispatched reinforcements to Hooker and Sherman to launch a three-pronged attack, against the Confederate position on the fog-shrouded Lookout Mountain. Hooker's men cleared the Confederates from Lookout Mountain and proceeded to Rossville to threaten Bragg's left and rear. On the 25th Sherman's troops attacked the rebel right at Tunnel Hill but were stopped. That same day Thomas's men advanced up Missionary Ridge, and Hooker pummeled Bragg's left. The Confederate front dissolved, and Bragg prepared to retreat.

21. What is the word for the round knob on the end of a gun tube?

From Quiz Field and Heavy Artillery

Answer: Cascabel & cascable

It is the knob that they use to pull the newly poured tube from the mold. The knobs on the sides of the tube where it is connected to the carrige are called trunions. The cap squares hold the trunions to the carrige.

22. Which general was the highest ranking officer to resign his commission to join the Confederacy?

From Quiz Civil War Hodge-Podge

Answer: Joseph E. Johnston

Johnston was upset from the very beginning that he did not get to keep his place in the seniority line of generals. And this hurt his relationship with Davis. It is thought to be one of the reasons Davis replaced him later at Atlanta, with Hood. Moreover, Johnston was giving up much territory.

23. A Confederate "angel" named Kirkland gave wounded Federals water. Later, after being trapped there until the night of the 14th, they saw the aurora borealis, in the sky. Where was this?

From Quiz Civil War: "Burgs"

Answer: Fredericksburg

Richard Rowland Kirkland was "The Angel of Marye's Heights". The night of December 14-15, 1862 "The Northern Lights" lit up the night sky a rare thing that far south. Of the 12,700 Union dead and wounded at Fredericksburg most were laid in front of the stone wall at the foot of the heights.

24. After a famous ride from this town on it by Phil Sheridan during the battle of Cedar Creek, Rienzis' name was switched to this?

From Quiz Civil War: "Ride with the Wind"

Answer: Winchester

On the way back from the meeting he had just attended, he heard the sound of gunshots and raced towards the sound, waving his hat on the way to rally troops that were starting to flee.

25. An island in Lake Erie was used to house Confederate officers. What is it called?

From Quiz Ohio's Role in the Civil War

Answer: Johnson's Island

The island housed over 15,000 Confederate men, mostly officers. The prison had one of the lowest mortality rate of any Civil War prison on either side. South Bass, Kelleys, and Gibraltar Islands are all islands in Lake Erie.

26. What battle was known as the "Waterloo of the Confederacy"?

From Quiz Civil War Nicknames

Answer: Five Forks

While Pickett and Fitz Lee were at a shad bake given by General Rosser, the important crossroads at Five Forks was attacked. And due to a phenomenon known as accoustic shadows the generals could not hear the fighting, and did not arrive until too late.

27. Grant said of this state after many of its soldiers formed a line of resistance at Shiloh, called the Hornet's Nest: "It is a young state but it is a home of heros. Those boys saved my Army." Which state was Grant speaking of?

From Quiz Civil War Mixture

Answer: Iowa

The 14th Iowa was the first to take up the position and the 12th Iowa was the last to leave it. Grant said, "Iowa is a young state, but it is a state of heros; those Iowa boys saved my Army."

28. What was Franklin Thompson's name at birth?

From Quiz Civil War Miscellany

Answer: S. E. Edmonds

Sarah Emma Edmonds, was the only woman to draw a pension in her own name for fighting after the war. She fought at the first Bull Run as Thompson and also sold Bibles.

29. Name the officer in charge of the Louisiana State Military Academy who resigned and wrote a letter to his senator brother John, saying: "You politicians have made a big mess of things, I am going home and will have no more of the whole affair"?

From Quiz Civil War - Who, What, Where?

Answer: William Tecumseh Sherman

Sherman, a colonel at the time, was the first superintendent of the Academy that later became L.S.U. He was recommended for the job by P.G.T. Beauregard, and Braxton Bragg, who had been his West Point classmates.

30. What Civil War leader is eulogized in Walt Whitman's poem "O Captain! My Captain!"?

From Quiz Poems and Songs of the US Civil War

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. Whitman who had lived in Washington D.C. during much of the Civil War was a great admirer of the President. The poem was published in New York's 'Saturday Press' in November of 1865. The bittersweet poem which spoke of the war's end and Lincoln's death received instant acclaim and solidified Whitman's position as one of the great 19th century American poets.

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Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:47 AM
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