The Civil War

The First Shots Lincoln did not believe that the states had a right to leave the Union. He felt that it was his job to keep the country together. But the Southern states believed that they had the right to form a new country. They could not agree and were ready to fight to get what they wanted. The first shots were fired at Fort Sumter in South Carolina on April 12, 1861.

Dates of Secession Prior to Fort Sumter: South Carolina (December 20, 1860) Mississippi (January 9, 1861) Florida (January 10, 1861) Alabama (January 11, 1861) Georgia (January 19, 1861) Louisiana (January 26, 1861) Texas (February 23, 1861) After Fort Sumter: Virginia (April 17, 1861) Arkansas (May 6, 1861) Tennessee (May 6, 1861) North Carolina (May 20, 1861) Symbolic Votes for Secession: Missouri (October 31, 1861) Kentucky (November 20, 1861)

Fort Sumter Timeline March 5, 1861 – President Lincoln received a note from Major Robert Anderson, fort commander March 5, 1861 – President Lincoln received a note from Major Robert Anderson, fort commander The fort has six weeks of supplies left The fort has six weeks of supplies left South Carolina believed Army personnel are now foreigners South Carolina believed Army personnel are now foreigners President Lincoln refused to surrender fort President Lincoln refused to surrender fort President Lincoln ordered fort to be re-supplied President Lincoln ordered fort to be re-supplied Confederate president Jefferson Davis wants to force Army personnel to surrender fort Confederate president Jefferson Davis wants to force Army personnel to surrender fort Major Anderson refused Major Anderson refused April 12, 1861 – Confederate troops open fire on fort April 12, 1861 – Confederate troops open fire on fort April 15 – Major Anderson and his men surrender, retreat April 15 – Major Anderson and his men surrender, retreat Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina secede soon after Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina secede soon after

Northern Strengths and Weaknesses Population – 20 million vs. 9 million (including 3.5 million slaves) Strong industrial base Larger and more efficient railroad system Weak generals at the start of war McClellan Burnside Hooker

Southern Strengths and Weaknesses Geography – the war would be fought mostly on southern ground Excellent Generals – Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson

Anaconda Plan General Winfield Scott General Winfield Scott 74 years old at beginning of the war 74 years old at beginning of the war 3 part approach for Union to win 3 part approach for Union to win US Navy blockade of southern ports US Navy blockade of southern ports Divide Confederacy into two parts by controlling Mississippi River Divide Confederacy into two parts by controlling Mississippi River “Shock” troops would engage enemy upriver first, traveling downriver, taking port after port. Then, standard troops would take control of the softened targets (80,000 troops proposed – Union had only 16,000 troops in 1861) “Shock” troops would engage enemy upriver first, traveling downriver, taking port after port. Then, standard troops would take control of the softened targets (80,000 troops proposed – Union had only 16,000 troops in 1861)

Anaconda Plan

Early Battles After Fort Sumter, Lincoln calls up 75,000 troops to deal with insurrection “Short War” Thesis – “On to Richmond!” First Bull Run/First Manassas, VA (July 21, 1861) 26 miles from Washington DC First major battle of the war Union army defeated War would not be short

What About Missouri? Kansas: Enters Union as a free state – January 29, 1861 West Virginia: Western counties secede from eastern Virginia, forming new border state – June 20, 1863

The Border States Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, & Missouri Maryland critical — Washington, D.C., at risk surrounded by Confederate territory. Martial law declared and new elections held to ensure pro-Union state legislature Missouri important — strategic access to the lower Mississippi River. Divided loyalties but never enough secessionist support to withdraw from the Union Kentucky necessary — the Ohio River border left the Union open to the threat of invasion. The governor refused to take sides, but the state sided with the Union after Confederate troops invaded in September These divided loyalties meant citizens fought on both sides.

What about Missouri? Many Missourians wanted to join the Confederacy including the governor, Claiborne Jackson. Elected Governor of Missouri in 1861 Pro-Confederacy and attempted to seize the St. Louis arsenal but was defeated Pro-confederate govt. officials driven out of Jefferson City by Union Captain Nathaniel Lyon Battle of Boonville (June 17, 1861) Secured control of Missouri River Battle of Carthage (July 5, 1861) Confederate troops led by Governor Jackson

The Divided State Missouri did not leave the Union, but many people supported the Confederacy. Vote for Secession (October 31, 1861) Act was passed by a rump legislature called into session in Neosho, by Governor Jackson (who had been removed from office by the State Convention – and run out of the capital by General Lyon) There were also many Missourians that supported the Union. Those who supported the Union took over Jefferson City and control of the state. Men fought for both the Union and the Confederacy.

Problems in Missouri Neighbors fought each other Sometimes family members would fight each other. Families were torn apart Many Missourians were injured or killed

Missouri Became a Battlefield There were both armies in Missouri. The Confederates had a strong leader named Sterling Price. He led the Confederate army throughout the state, throughout the course of the war.

Battles in Missouri Wilson’s Creek – occurred near Springfield 1 st major battle of the Civil War west of the Mississippi River Bloody Confederate victory 1 out of 6 soldiers killed in action, including Union commander, Nathaniel Lyon Confederates did not capitalize on victory Battle of Lexington (September 12-20, 1861) The Confederacy won again, but didn’t have enough troops to go on, so they retreated to Arkansas 1 st Battle of Springfield aka “Zagonyi's Charge” (October 25, 1861) Union victory 2 nd Battle of Springfield (January 8, 1863) Union victory

Battles in Missouri Guerilla warfare ( ) 1. Missouri Bushwhackers vs. Kansas Jayhawkers 2. Isolated ambushes 3. Bloody Bill Anderson and Quantrill's Raiders Frank & Jesse James

Other Missouri Battles Late in the war, General Price stormed the state with more troops and tried to take over the St. Louis area. He failed and moved on towards Jefferson City, then onto Kansas City. Near Kansas City a large Union Army was waiting. The battle of Westport, (Oct. 23, 1864) near Kansas City lasted for 3 days. The Union won. Ended Sterling Price’s raid into northern Missouri General Price and his army left Missouri for good, taking refuge in Arkansas until the end of the war

Confederate Sterling Price’s Raids Across Missouri

Where does Missouri Fit in? Missouri ranks 3 rd only to Virginia and Tennessee in battles and skirmishes fought among states. Western Missouri was destroyed under General Order No. 11 by Union General Thomas Ewing. Homes gone, people killed, Confederate sympathizers routed. Even Union supporters had to leave their homes and farms and settle near military outposts - this area becomes known as the “Burnt District” Battle of Little Blue Ridge and Battle of Westport near Independence, MO, ranks in the top 1% of significant battles during the Civil War according to Civil War historians The Battle of Wilson’s Creek, The Battle of Lexington, and several battles in Independence were decisive in the overall theatre of the war What if: St. Louis falls? The Confederates begin a legitimate government?

Battle Tactics: “Why did they fight in lines?” Psychology – strength, closeness in numbers. Battles were terrifying 1 – 150 bullets actually hit somebody – low accuracy Could see flags above firing smoke fog for formation “Napoleonic” tactics, used early in the war

Battle Tactics: Trench Warfare

Springfield Rifle Developed in 1861, but not in widespread use until later in the war Union Army’s standard weapon Named for Springfield, Massachusetts, not Missouri Rifled bore - greater accuracy yards (compared to 80 yards for smooth bore weapons) Gives rise to trench warfare

Howitzers Threw 12-pound shell up to 1000 yards (1/2 mile) Could be easily disassembled & carried by mule Used during Napoleonic and trench warfare stages of the war Smoothbore Howitzer

Gatling Gun Limited use in the Civil War rounds (bullets) in one minute Very mobile, easily moved by horse or mule or even manpower

Telegraph and Trains Long distance communication Organized troop movement Allowed for quick movement of troops & supplies All major Civil War battles took place 100 or miles less from RR tracks

Wagon Trains Women – had to feed and take care of the men Confederate Sterling Price’s Wagon Train through Missouri stretched (reportedly) 15 miles

Women and the Civil War Many women during the civil war had to work outside the home. Some women worked sewing uniforms, packing supplies, and washing clothes and bandages. Many women served as nurses to help those injured during battle.

Disease Disease was the chief killer in the war - claiming two soldiers for every one killed in battle. Hospitals were so unsanitary that one Union soldier lamented: "If a fellow has [to go to the] Hospital, you might as well say goodbye.”

Casualties of War

African Americans During the War During the Civil War many African Americans in the south were enslaved. Some were forced by their owners to fight for the Confederacy. Many African Americans fought for the Union Army.

The Emancipation Proclamation President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in It freed the slaves in the Confederate States of America. Was not considered a priority at the beginning of the war. It was very limited as it did not free the slaves in the slave states of the USA.

The 13th Amendment President Lincoln proposed the 13 th Amendment that would end slavery in the entire United States. The amendment was passed and ratified in The first explicit reference to slavery in the Constitution deals with its eradication.

The War Ends The Confederate Armies surrendered in April Five days later President Lincoln is assassinated. The war was not declared over until May 10th when the new president Andrew Johnson received word that Jefferson Davis had been captured. The death toll during the Civil War was over 600,000 people. More people died as a result of disease than in battle. There were no medicines to fight off infection.