The Civil War in Mississippi MS saw many battles, mostly because of the importance of the Mississippi River.

The Start of the War 1.The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. 2.When the war begins, most people don’t believe that it will last very long. 3.For the First Battle of Bull Run, people will actually take picnics and go watch the battle.

Northern and Southern Advantages North: 1. More men. 2. More industry. 3. More railroads. 4. Already existing military. South: 1. Fighting to defend their homeland. 2. Knowledge of the terrain (landscape).

Northern and Southern Strategies North: 1. Capture Richmond, VA, the capital of the Confederacy. 2. Divide and conquer – split the Confederacy into three sections. 3. Blockade the south – use their navy to close southern ports. South: 1. Hold their own until European countries come to their aid.

The Beginning of War Both Confederacy and Union wanted control of the Mississippi River – The North could cut off its western supply routes – Vicksburg becomes a critical location Before the Union could get to Vicksburg, they had to remove the Confederacy from their holds in north MS Ulysses S. Grant commanded the Union forces First major battle was the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee It was not long before the Union troops could move up and down the MS river safely- with one important exception

The Battle for Vicksburg Confederacy still held Vicksburg- created problems for Union What do you know about the city of Vicksburg that would make boats traveling vulnerable to artillery fire??????? Also to the north and east of the city was swampy land and very few roads, moving troops would be difficult

June- September 1862 Union general (Farragut) wanted to build a canal across from Vicksburg on the LA side so boats could avoid the gunfire. Confederates were still fighting to drive the Union forces back to Corinth, Union forces counterattacked with overwhelming numbers and Confederates retreated – Several thousand Confederates died in/around Corinth

October 1862 Ulysses S. Grant invaded north MS in hopes to capture Jackson, which he did in Mid-May December 1862 Union forces began a direct attack on Vicksburg, landing troops north of city Floods and bayous made Union forces struggle Grant decided the city could not be attacked from North so he moved his troops south of the city, then to the Northeast After taking Jackson, Grant moved his troops west toward Vicksburg

The Union eventually surrounded the city of Vicksburg, but not yet taken Many residents were forced to live in caves Food was in short supply that people ate mules and rats July 4 th, 1863 after a 6 week siege, the Confederate forces surrendered. – After this many Vicksburg residents refused to celebrate independence day

Effects of the Battle of Vicksburg Confederacy lost hold of a vital stronghold 40,000 soldiers were lost as well as those weapons This signaled the end for the Confederate States of America

Final Days of the War After the Battle of Vicksburg, two years of fighting remained Union forces then turned their attention toward Meridian, another strong railroad site for the Confederates – Union forces took Meridian within a week The fighting in Mississippi took place mainly along the river and northeast due to major rail lines General Robert E. Lee (Confederate) surrendered his army to Grant at Appomattox Court House in 1865 – The war was over

Mississippians in the War Around 80,000 fought in the Confederate Army Some 500 Mississippians fought for the Union More than 17,000 black MS slaves and freedmen fought for Union 27,000 men died, with more returning home with permanent injuries and with the lasting taste of defeat

The Home Front Early in the war, life in MS was peaceful Women made uniforms and served as nurses Men volunteered for military service Supporters of the Union were typically killed unless they were prominent figures in society and usually they fled the state Politics tried to continue but they lost significance Legislature passed laws but could not be enforced Brief trials were given by citizens which usually ended in hangings

Financially the state struggled: MS’s wealth was tied up in land, slaves, and cotton Little cotton could be sold because the Union had captured New Orleans Simple necessities of life became luxuries: salt was scarce, coffee and tea were unavailable With many of the men gone, slaves began to rebel by doing little work or none at all.

The End of Slavery During the war, slaves had disappeared and others refused to work When the Union arrived in MS in 1862, many black men, women, and children would flee to army camps searching for freedom Blacks did many services for the Union army: dug trenches, canals, cooked, and washed clothes. Some even guided troops through the land

1862- Abraham Lincoln (president) issued the Emancipation Proclamation – January 1 st, 1863 all slaves owned by persons in the Confederate states were free. – It DID NOT free all slaves in the United States. Only those not under Union control Union army began to recruit black soldiers (paid less than white soldiers) After the war a new social order had to be created December th Amendment was passed – Abolished slavery

Civil War Packet Label the major battles fought in Mississippi on the blank map. (use page 122) Label and color the Confederate state BLUE and the Union states RED. – Also label the two cities that served as capitals for the Confederacy Complete the two handouts on the Famous Generals and the Civil War in Mississippi

Generals 1.B- U.S. Grant 2.D- Albert Sidney Johnston 3.C- Pierre G.T. Beauregard 4.F- Henry Halleck 5.E- Sterling Price 6.H- John C. Pemberton 7.G- William T. Sherman 8.I- Stephen D. Lee 9.J- Benjamin Grierson 10. A- Richard Taylor