The Civil War
Civil War War between the Northern (Union) and Southern (Confederate) states 1861 - 1865
“From Bull Run to Antietam
Causes of the Civil War Regional differences between the industrial North and the agrarian South Question of slavery in the territories Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act inflame passions Abraham Lincoln is elected President Lower South secedes Confederacy attacks Fort Sumter
Strengths of South Most officers were Southern Defensive position Fighting to preserve their way of life and right to self-government
Strengths of North Twice the railroad tracks Twice as many factories Balanced economy More money Government, Army and Navy Larger population
Strategy of North Naval blockade of southern ports ordered by Lincoln Would stop South from shipping cotton to Europe and from receiving goods from Europe Gain control of the Mississippi River to divide the South Anaconda Plan
South’s Strategy Prepare and wait (wanted to go in peace); defensive war War of attrition – wear down enemy; failed to realize that the North had more resources But…the North had stopped exports of cotton and Europe turned to Egypt and India
Jomini’s Art of War The standard textbook taught to all trained military leaders of the Civil War Emphasized the importance of position and maneuvering your troops Battles were seen as unnecessary if you were able to capture important points (the high ground) Try to force enemy from his position from your BETTER position
Tactics and Technology Generals trained in European warfare of having masses of troops charge New rifles and artillery were more accurate and deadly; bullet shaped ammunition and rifling Artillery could fire shells and canisters Commanders were slow to change tactics
Why the techniques didn’t work…. Both sides tried to use these techniques at the beginning of the Civil War Both sides had the same strategy and knew the drills cold
So…a New Style of Fighting Developed There was a lot of shooting but not a lot of aiming! The element of surprise became important The troops advanced though “minie” balls, sulfurous smoke, and loud noise from cannon fire, Hand-to-hand combat was important after the ammo ran out
The Divisions of the Civil War Army Cavalry Artillery Infantry
Johnny Reb and Billy Yank The “common man” soldier Enlisted and usually infantry Generally aged 17-25 Died by the thousands
Who were these common soldiers??? If a Northerner: Could not pay someone to fight for them If a Southerner: Did not own 20+ slaves Died by the thousands on both sides throughout the war Paid the ultimate price for their convictions
The Union’s Strategy Defend Washington with the Army of the Potomac and try to capture Richmond Gain control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in half Blockade the South (Anaconda)
The Confederacy's Strategy Turn back every Union advance until the British or French joined their side Fight defensively Make the people of the North weary of fighting Force Lincoln to negotiate “A war of attrition”
The Campaign of 1861 “Our battle summer…” A short and painless war 90-day enlistments were common “ A short vacation from the plow” “An excursion party to the Sunny South”
The First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) July 21, 1861 General Irvin McDowell-North General P.G.T. Beauregard-South Railroad used to move troops Sightseers watch; North flees Casualties: North 2900; South 2000
The First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) Took place north of Richmond, VA Congressmen, reporters, socialites, and curiosity seekers came to watch the “show” Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson became Confederate hero Fierce gun fire surprised both sides
The Union Panics and Retreats… Spectators in carriages and with picnic lunches were trampled by troops and peppered with gunfire A Confederate win Washington DC is VERY close by “What if……????????”
1862 and Stalemate The British and the French did not join the Southern cause Lincoln evokes the wartime powers given to him by the Constitution (the loss of the writ habeas corpus) cut the heads of the “copperheads” Robert E. Lee takes over the Confederate Army
The Battle of Shiloh (Tennessee) A surprise Confederate attack by General Joseph Johnston’s 4000 Rebel troops Grant was reportedly still drunk from the night before The bloody battle lasted throughout the next day 11,000 Southern losses and 13,000 Northern losses Mass graves were dug… “Shiloh was a horror”
Lessons from Shiloh (April 1862) The war would be a long one and a bloody one Both sides would suffer great losses Fraternization between the two sides ceased between battles The idea of the “summer battle” was no longer boasted about by either side
War in the East Monitor and the Merrimack Merrimack was wooden ship with iron plates bolted on Merrimack damaged three wooden ships Wooden navies now obsolete
War in the West General George McClellen led Northern Army; ordered to build and train the army General Ulysses Grant led Northern Army in the West to try to seize the Mississippi River
Forts Henry and Donelson Used gunboats Forts in Tennessee and fell to Grant Nashville fell to federal troops Grant moved farther south toward Mississippi
Mississippi River Naval squadron under David Farragut seized New Orleans for the Union He captured Baton Rouge, La and Natchez, MS Took Memphis, TN on June 6, 1862 Only Vicksburg, MS and Port Hudson, LA remained for the North to capture to split the Confederacy
Peninsular Campaign Confederates destroyed Merrimack to keep it from being captured by the North McClellan was too cautious Moved army east of Richmond Heavy casualties in the Battle of Seven Pines
George McClellan
Robert E. Lee Trained at West Point, he takes command at the Battle of Seven Pines Well liked by his troops Served as President of Washington and Lee University after the war
The South Goes on the Offensive… General RE Lee now in Charge!!!! Second Battle of Bull Run Stonewall Jackson attacks from the rear and General Lee from the front Another Confederate Victory!
The War at Sea Union sailors assigned to the blockade had many long, boring days at patrolling sea waiting for action Confederate sailors however on commerce-raiding ships destroyed or captured more than 250 northern merchant ships and $15 million in ships and cargo
The Union’s Ironclad The Union Monitor was an odd shaped ship “that resembled a cake tin riding on a platter”.
The Confederate's Ironclad The Confederate Merrimac (Virginian) was an old battleship that had been armed with iron plates that covered it in the shape of a tent
The Clash of the First Ironclads On March 9, 1862 the two ships battled for 5 hours Technically a draw The Merrimack had to withdraw for repairs so it became known as a Union win
Battle of Antietam Lee invaded Maryland, hoping for European support McClellan delayed after getting battle plans of Lee; Sept. 17, 1862 North lost 12,000 and Lee 14,000; retreated to VA; As Lee withdrew, McClellan did not attack Bloodiest one-day battle of war
The Battle of Antietam President Davis was not happy with Lee’s defensive victory’s and wanted him to make a major push north His army of 40,000 met McClellan’s 80,000 men at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, VA McClellan found Lee’s battle plans, due to a fatal stroke of bad luck The Rebel forces lost 25% of their men
Life Behind the Lines
Southern Constitution Recognized states’ rights and slavery Needed to build loyalty of southerners Fewer resources than North
Draft Required military service Law required 3 years service for white men from 18 to 35; later moved to 50 Large slave owners excused; wealthy hired substitutes
Economy Confederate government regulated commerce and railroads Farmers paid 10% of produce to war effort Income tax imposed Borrowed slaves for labor
Help from Europe No recognition (official acceptance of government) Great Britain built privateers for the Confederacy Europe decided to wait and see who would win
Politics in the North Strained relations with Great Britain North removed Slidell and Mason from British ship, the Trent, and then had to free them Demanded $19 billion for damages by privateers from Great Britain
Republicans 1862, passed Pacific Railroad Act: gave land and money to companies for construction of railroad from Nebraska to Pacific Coast Homestead Act: free land Tariff to protect industry
Economy of North Federal income tax Internal Revenue Act of 1862: tax on certain items such as liquor, tobacco, medicine, and ads Created national currency: greenbacks
Wartime Actions Delaware secure Maryland: arrested disloyal representatives Missouri: supported uprising to overthrow pro-Confederate state government Kentucky: martial law
Northern Draft 1863, military service for white males 20 to 45. Could pay $300 or hire a substitute to serve
Opposition to War Riot over draft: 100 died in New York City Copperheads (Democrats): said freed slaves would take jobs 13,000 imprisoned for opposition
Writ of Habeas Corpus Legal protection requiring that a court determine if a person is lawfully imprisoned Constitution allows suspension during a rebellion 13,000 Americans imprisoned without trial; newspaper editors and elected state officials
Emancipation Jan. 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation Freed slaves in areas of rebellion against the government
Effect of Proclamation Inspired southern slaves to escape to the protection of Union troops Encouraged African Americans to serve in the Union army
Contraband Seized possessions would be kept by the enemy; included slaves Used to build fortifications, etc. 1863, used to fight South
African American Soldiers By 1865 180,000 African Americans had enlisted Served in all-black regiments 1863 54th Massachusetts Infantry, under Colonel Robert Gould Shaw attacked Fort Wagner; lost half his men
Hardships of War South’s economy: food shortage Men at war; women worked Inflation Army deserters
North’s Economy Industry boomed Women worked Some products were shoddy and fell apart
Prison Camps Andersonville, Georgia Held 35,000 Northerners, kept in a fenced open area 100 died a day of starvation or exposure Commander hanged later
Medical Conditions 1 out of 4 soldiers died Women cared for sick Clara Barton: “angel of battlefield” American Red Cross Disease killed more than guns
The Tide of War Turns
Battle of Fredericksburg General McClellan replaced with Ambrose Burnside Burnside attacks Lee in VA by charging into Confederate gunfire Union casualties 13,000
Battle of Chancellorsville Burnside resigns Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker takes over for North Lee split forces to counter Hooker approaching from the rear; builds fires in camp
Lee and Jackson
Chancellorsville May, 1863; On the second day, Stonewall Jackson attacked on right of Hooker Jackson scouting at night and is hit by own troops; arm amputated; died
1863…. The Battle of Chancellorsville General Lee had 60,000 troops General Hooker had more than double that amount Lee took a chance and divided his army and took Hooker by surprise Known as Lee’s last great victory although the South technically lost more men The Confederates mourned the loss of Stonewall Jackson
The Siege of Vicksburg Vicksburg an important trading center was high on a rocky cliff on the Mississippi River City was considered impassable General Grant created a new plan…assault the society and the civilians who live nearby! After several successful confrontations, he settled down for a successful 7-month siege Vicksburg surrenders on July 4, 1863
Battle of Gettysburg North at low point due to losses Lee weakened by blockade and lack of supplies Lee hoped North would give up if he won in Pennsylvania
Lee’s Biggest Mistake General James Longstreet, Lee’s second in command He advised Lee not to attack the North’s strong position But…Lee orders the attack
The Gettysburg Campaign Lee decided to threaten Washington DC by way of Pennsylvania At first everything went his way, and he caught the Union soldiers off guard General Meade was looking for Lee and Lee was looking for a shoe factory They found each other in a little town called Gettysburg
The 3-Day Battle Begins… The Rebels were on Seminary Ridge and the Union was on Cemetery Ridge Lee attacked and almost won on the first day but the Federal line held On day two, the Union held its place on Little Round Top where they could shoot onto advancing troops Remember…the advantage always rests with the _________________?
July 1, 1863 General George Meade, new Northern general Northerners held hills south of town; Cemetery Ridge Southerners held Seminary Ridge; field in between
July 2, 1863 Meade brings reinforcements Little Round Top, undefended Maine soldiers under Colonel Joshua Chamberlain hold it and then attack with bayonets Saved Union army from retreat
Day Three: Pickett’s Charge Between 1:00 and 2:00, General Longstreet was ordered against his will to head across “no man’s land” The “Billy Yanks” were waiting on top of Cemetery Ridge with reinforcements who were loaded with rifles and artillery The “Johnny Rebs” were slaughtered first by artillery and then by minie balls
1. McPHERSON'S RIDGE 2. THE RAILROAD CUT 3. OAK HILL 4. OAK RIDGE 5. THE ELEVENTH CORPS LINE
The Results of Gettysburg The attack was a nightmare for the South that lasted less than an hour but over 10,000 men were dead wounded or missing 5 of 25 commanders were injured; the other 15 were killed and 2 Brigadier Generals were killed. Southern morale was ravaged But a second attack never came…Lincoln was furious. The South was never able to launch an offensive campaign again
Actual Scene from after the Battle
July 3, 1863 Lee opens with artillery barrage 15,000 Confederates attack Pickett’s Charge; cut up by Northern artillery; ½ casualties
Gettysburg Bloodiest battle of war Union had 23,000 casualties South had 28,000 casualties July 4, 1863, Lee retreats to Virginia
The Gettysburg Address Lincoln’s moving speech is among the most famous in U.S. History
Gettysburg Address Nov. 19, 1863 President Lincoln explained the meaning of the Civil War Freedom and equality belong to all
After Gettysburg… Southern Campaign The Tennessee Campaign becomes more important as General William Rosecrans followed orders to push General Braxton Bragg into northern Georgia Union troops then attacked Chattanooga one of the South’s only important railroad centers
Vicksburg North wanted control of the Mississippi River General Ulysses S. Grant Several attacks failed Began a siege in May 1863 Surrender July 4, 1863
Ulysses S. Grant
Turning Point Gettysburg and Vicksburg Mississippi River taken by North, cutting Confederacy in two
A New Birth of Freedom
Grant Takes Command Lincoln must win battles to win the election of 1864 Grant plans to use North’s superior population and industry to wear down the South
Battle of the Wilderness May 5, 1864 in Virginia Grant beaten, but moved south anyway No retreat
Battle of Spotsylvania May 12, 1864 Northern losses were huge, with bodies piled four deep Again Grant moves his army further south
Battle of Cold Harbor June, 1864, armies met eight miles from Richmond Large Northern losses Grant lost 7,000 Union soldiers in less than one hour
Siege of Petersburg Grant moved around capital of Richmond and attacks Petersburg In last two months, Grant lost 65,000 men Lee has trouble replacing casualties and waits
Sherman in Georgia Sherman wanted to seize Atlanta, a rail and industrial center 98,000 Union men Confederate General -Joseph Johnston
General William Sherman
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
Atlanta Johnston wanted to delay Sherman until after the Nov. elections Mid-July, Sherman is near Atlanta Johnston replaced with General James Hood
Atlanta Hood engaged Sherman in several battles and lost thousands of men Sherman laid siege to the city Sept. South’s army left Atlanta
The South’s last true victory… Chickamauga A surprise awaited Rosecrans, when Bragg hit him hard at Chickamauga just south of Chattanooga The Confederate force of 70,000 beat the Union force of 56,000 one of the bloodiest battle of the war The Rebels lost 18,454 and the Yankees 16,179 in the bloodiest two days of the War. The South’s last true victory… Chickamauga
“The Battle Above the Clouds” A fog began to cover much of the top half of Lookout Mountain at 10:00am that morning, obscuring the view of the participants of the battle and the men in the Chattanooga Valley. It was this meteorological phenomena that gave the fighting on its nickname, "The Battle Above the Clouds." “The Battle Above the Clouds”
“The Rock of Chickamauga” The Union forces fled back to Chattanooga in part because of General George H. Thomas, a Federal soldier who had remained loyal to the Union Thanks to Thomas, the North was able to retire in good order to the fortifications of Chattanooga
-William B. Hamilton-- (Lt., 22nd Michigan Infantry, Co. F) The Rock of Chickamauga Let rebels boast their Stonewall brave Who fell to fill a traitor's grave, We have a hero grander far, The Union was his guiding star, The "Rock of Chickamauga." When foot by foot, stern Rosecrans Round grim Lookout, with bold advance, Pressed back the rebels from their lair, Our Thomas was the foremost there, -William B. Hamilton-- (Lt., 22nd Michigan Infantry, Co. F)
Grant’s “Total War” Lincoln promoted General Grant to the rank of Lt. General Gave him total command of the Union forces He called off the “gentlemen’s war Make war not only on the Confederate army but on the Southern people as well
Sherman’s March to Atlanta - 1864 Pickett’s Mill Dallas Kolb’s Farm Kennesaw Mountain Peachtree Creek Jonesborough Ringgold Gap Dalton Rocky Face Ridge Resaca Adairsville New Hope Church
Grant’s Right Hand Man… William Tecumseh Sherman Was he mentally ill? Was he a brilliant strategist? How did his plan to cut through Georgia work? How did Atlanta fit into his plan?
The March to the Sea Some thought Sherman was mentally unstable He ordered Atlanta burned Cut a 300-mile long path of destruction Captured Savannah in Dec.
The Election of 1864 Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, Vice President, Republicans Former General McClellan, Democrat (Lincoln had relieved him of his command!) Capture of Atlanta helped Lincoln win reelection
Thirteenth Amendment Passed by Congress in February, 1865 Ratified by the states and became law on Dec. 18, 1865 Ended slavery in the U.S.
End of the War Sherman moved through South Carolina, burning most houses Did not destroy North Carolina
Appomattox April 9, 1865 Lee met Grant and surrendered Grant offered food and ordered celebration by Northern troops ended
Effects of the War Both sides suffered great losses; more than half a million people died Union preserved Slavery abolished
Lincoln’s Assassination April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln while he was watching a play Lincoln died the next day and Booth was killed in Virginia
John Wilkes Booth
The Death of a President Did not live to see the peace he helped to create Conspirators and southern sympathizers plotted against the president Died in office on April 14, 1865
Lincoln’s Rocking Chair at Ford’s Theatre Bed in which Lincoln Died
Lincoln Laying in State Funeral Hearse Funeral Procession
John Wilkes Booth
Other Conspirator’s
How would the South be Treated After the War?? Welcomed Back?? Or…paid back??? Find out in Chapter 15… Reconstruction!!!