Chapter 9, Section 2 Sticking with the Confederacy

Introduction During the Civil War, the Americans acquired the nickname of Tar Heels. Tar Heel bravery cost the state dearly during the war. North Carolinians provided one-sixth of the Confederate soldiers, even though the state only had one ninth of the south’s population. About 40,000 men from North Carolina died.

Introduction Other issues occurred during the Civil War, as well, Sickness was common, soldiers were wounded, and some were captured. Some Confederate soldiers deserted.

Introduction Thirty seven North Carolinians were Generals, but only one lead whole armies. Braxton Bragg, after whom Fort Bragg was later named, commanded Confederates west of the Appalachians.

Fighting on the Virginia Front Much of the early fighting took place in Virginia. Henry L. Wyatt of Edgecombe County was the first North Carolinian to die in battle. In 1863, North Carolinians under General JJ Pettigrew formed part of Pickett’s Charge at the three-day battle of Gettysburg.

Fighting on the Virginia Front The frontal assault took thousands of Confederates across open ground for more than a mile under heavy Union fire. Tarheels pushed through the Union line. Despite their efforts, the Confederacy was forced to retreat.

Fighting on the Virginia Front In September of 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee invaded Maryland, hoping to capture Washington, D.C. Lee and his troops were almost destroyed, but were saved by North Carolinians.

Fighting on the Virginia Front North Carolinians also committed one of the greatest mistakes of the entire war. At Chancellorsville in May of 1863, North Carolinians marched with General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson around the Union army and surprised it from behind. North Carolinians accidentally shot General Jackson, which eventually killed him.

Defending the North Carolina Coastline Even though the Civil War was primarily fought in Virginia and Tennessee, considerable fighting took place along the coast of North Carolina. Eventually, the North had complete control of the North Carolina coastline. One of the major reasons the north kept control of the coastline was the Naval Blockade.

Defending the North Carolina Coastline The major intent of the blockade was to keep Confederacy from receiving supplies from other nations. By 1863, most southern ports had been cut off. Eventually, only Wilmington remained open.

Defending the North Carolina Coastline Blockade Runners, low-lying steamships that were painted gray to match the ocean and fool pursuers, were able to slip in and out of the Cape Fear waters. These ships went to British ports in the Bahamas and Bermuda to load up on supplies for the Confederate army.

Defending the North Carolina Coastline By 1864, most supplies supporting General Lee’s army came through Wilmington and were transported to Virginia along the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. The North wanted to cut off the Confederate supply line. More than a dozen battles were fought along the Tidewater region.

Defending the North Carolina Coastline Generals Daniel H. Hill and Robert F. Hoke made several unsuccessful efforts in 1864 to retake New Bern, Washington, Plymouth, and other coastal towns.

The End of the War Invaders closed in on North Carolina from all sides. A Union naval force took Fort Fisher, closing Wilmington’s port, in January. General William T. Sherman, after completing his “March to the Sea” in Georgia, turned north into the Carolinas.

The End of the War After burning Columbia, South Carolina, Sherman’s army headed toward the railroad depot at Goldsboro, to cut off the lifeline of the Confederacy. Along the way, Sherman destroyed an arsenal at Fayettville and battled makeshift Confederate forces at Bentonville in Johnston County.

The End of the War On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Soon after Appomattox, the last remnants of Confederate troops surrendered in a ceremony held at the Bennett farm, located near the train depot called Durham Station. By the end of April 1865, most North Carolina soldiers were on their way home.

The Civil War in North Carolina