The Civil War 18.5 The End of the War

The War Draws to a Close Union forces move steadily south after the Battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg 1. U.S. Grant moved his army into Eastern Virginia and engaged Gen. Robert E. Lee’s troops in a series of battles.

The War Draws to a Close Lee’s troops were on the defensive Grant’s army outnumbered the Confederates

The War Draws to a Close 2. Union Major General William Tecumseh Sherman led an army south toward Atlanta a. Captured Atlanta in September of 1864 b. Sherman marched toward the sea. When he reached Savannah in December, they destroyed everything in its path. 3. Confederate forces surrendered on April 9, 1865

Battle of Palmito Ranch Word of Lee’s surrender reached Confederate troops in the Brownsville area in May of 1865 – many troops returned home. On May 12, Union troops moved inland to occupy Brownsville

Battle of Palmito Ranch Union and Confederate forces clashed Confederate forces led by John S. Ford defeated Union troops and captured 100 prisioners. The last battle was a Confederate victory, but the South had already lost the Civil War.

Consequences of the War 620,000 Americans lost their lives (the bloodiest war) 90,000 Texans served and thousands were killed or hurt.

Consequences of the War The state’s economy was in a shambles 1. Cotton trade had nearly stopped 2. Business and farms were hurt because of deaths 3. When Governor Murrah and government officials fled to Mexico, the state government collapsed

Consequences of the War Enslaved Texans saw the war as a struggle for freedom 1. In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation 2. As Union armies advanced into Confederate states, the slaves were freed.