The Civil War The Final Years 1864 - 1865

General Grant and the East While 1863 was the turning point in the Civil War, the war still dragged on for another 2 years. Following his victories in the West, General Grant was brought back to Washington D.C. and given command of the Army of the Potomac. Given his ability to replace his troops due to the North’s larger population, Grant began a war of attrition against General Lee in earnest. Throughout 1864 Grant constantly engaged Lee’s forces in Virginia, not allowing them to retreat or consolidate. In doing this Grant often took double the casualties of the southern forces, but was able to replace his loses, which the South could not due. Through these tactics he was given the nickname “butcher of men”, given how many people died from these engagements.

Sherman’s March to the Sea While Grant kept Lee tied up in a slow battle of attrition in the East, General William Tecumseh Sherman assumed command of Grant’s forces in the West. Following a victory at Chattanooga in November 1863, Sherman led his 100,000 man army deep into the South to take Atlanta. The Confederate forces under Generals Johnston and Hood were able to delay Sherman’s advance to September 1864. After seizing Atlanta, Sherman had much of the city burned, denying the city the ability to support southern troops. Leaving Atlanta, Sherman began his “March to the Sea”, destroying everything in his path as his army made its way through Georgia and then the Carolinas. This tactic was designed to break the South’s capability for warfare strategically, economically, and psychologically.

The Final Years of the War 1864 -1865 The Capture of Atlanta in 1864 assured Lincoln victory in the presidential election of 1864. More radical Republican nominated John Femont, who called for the complete abolishment of slavery and harsh consequences for southerners, but he dropped out of the race prior to the election. The Democrats nominated General McClellan, who advocated for an immediate ceasefire, but was extremely unpopular, especially with recent Union victories.

The South’s Surrender By early 1865, Union troops had the South on the run with the capture of Petersburg. Lee was forced to retreat to Richmond, hoping to escape to North Carolina and link up with remaining Confederate forces to wage a guerrilla war against the North. However Grant managed to surround Lee and his remaining 35,000 men, forcing Lee’s surrender. On April 9th, 1865, Lee and Grant met at Appomattox Courthouse, where Lee officially surrendered, effectively ending the Civil War. On April 26, General Johnston surrendered his 90,000 men, most of the remaining Confederate forces in Tennessee. Jefferson Davis was captured on May 10, 1865. Lee was very well thought of and respected, even by northerners, and was allowed to keep his sword and horse as a sign of respect. On a side note Arlington national cemetery was created from land seized from Lee during the war. On a side note the css shenandoah did not surrender until november 1865, after circumnavigating the globe and conducting privateering operation against american whalers, including in the bering sea.

Cost of the War Lincoln did not live to see the final surrenders after Lee, as he was shot and mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theatre. Booth was found after a 12 day manhunt and killed trying to escape. The Loss of Lincoln would deeply affect reconstruction efforts. The war resulted in approximately 1,030,000 casualties. This includes 620,000 to 850,000 soldier deaths, and at least 50,000 civilian deaths. The Union lost at least 360,000 with 110,070 killed by combat 199,790 dead from disease 24,866 died in Confederate prison camps The Confederacy lost at least 260,000 with 94,000 killed by combat 164,000 dead from disease 31,000 died in Union prison camps “Sic Semper Tyrannis” thus to tyrants

Marker Events : Slavery Slavery, which had divided the Union was abolished. Shortly before the end of the war Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery across the entire country. This was the first use of the word “slavery” in the Constitution. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

Marker Events : Secession The Union was preserved. The question of weather states had the right to secede was resolved permanently. They did not.

Marker Events : Regional Power Regional power shifted to the North following the Civil War. The South was devastated, its way of life destroyed, and it infrastructure in ruins. The North had modernized and industrialized further during the war. Northern industries and agriculture flourished.

Marker Events : Federal Power The question of states’ rights vs Federal Power had been clearly resolved. The power of the Federal government grew substantially during the war. The office of Presidency also gained power in relation to Congress due to Lincoln’s actions.