In April 1861 the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter that signaled the start of the nation’s Civil War that would last four long treacherous years. The war included many battles fought between the North and the South that would later determine the end of the war. Men’s lives were changed as they were drafted into the war, along with the women because they now had to take on their man’s role. As the war advanced so did the weapons, becoming more efficient and easier to use. The war begins and battles were fought, lives were changed, and weapons had a great influence on the war. On July 16, 1861 Union General Irvin McDowell and his unprepared army marched into Virginia the goal to take the town of Manassas, which was an important railroad
