The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865 and was fought between the Northern and Southern states over the issues of states' rights and slavery. Some of the major battles included Fort Sumter in 1861, Antietam in 1862, Gettysburg in 1863, and Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House in 1865, effectively ending the war. Over 600,000 soldiers lost their lives over the course of the four-year war that reunited the United States and led to the abolition of slavery.