)What is the first step a historian usually takes when trying to learn about the past?

Drawing a conclusion
Conducting research
Fforming a hypothesis
Asking questions

The first step historians take as part of the historical thinking process is to pose the historical question and establish relevant background about the topic. So I guess the answer would be asking questions.

then its a law the end

bloodiest single day of war   |   gettysburg

where the civil war ends for good   | appomattox court house

the first major land battle; south wins | bull run/manassas (va)

gives union control of the mississippi river |   vicksburg

lee’s first tactical defeat; big win for union |   fort sumter1

with lincoln's re-election |   atlanta

south wins

splits confederacy in two for the duration of the war,

antietam