The Civil War1861-1865

Fort Sumter• The CSA attacks U.S. Fort Sumter in S.C. on April 12,

1861 - before Union reinforcements can arrive.

• Union troops hold out for two days before they surrender on April 14th.

• Results: 1. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee,

and Arkansas join the Confederacy.2. Abraham Lincoln calls for 75,000

Union troops.

Jefferson Davis

• Elected President of the Confederacy (CSA)

• Former US Senator from Mississippi

Abraham Lincoln

• Republican from Illinois.

• Inaugurated after the CSA had formed.

1. Against secession2. Promised to enforce

the laws of the U. S.

3. Promised to hold (protect) federal land in the South.

Jefferson Davis’ Inaugural Address

• February 18, 1861:

“As a necessity, not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of separation…If a just perception of mutual interest shall permit us peaceably to pursue our separate political career, my most earnest desire will have been fulfilled. But if this be denied to us…[we will be forced] to appeal to arms…”

Abraham Lincoln’s 1st Inaugural Address

• March 4, 1861:

“One section of our country believes slavery is right and ought to be extended. This is the only substantial dispute…Physically speaking, we can not separate. We can not remove our respective sections from each other nor build an impassable wall between them…In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of war.”

General Robert E. LeeOpposed to secession and

slavery.

“With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword...” Commander of the Army of Virginia

& all CSA forces

General Irving McDowell

• 1st General of the Army of the Potomac.

• Led Union soldiers into the first battle of the Civil War.

• After he is replaced, he is placed in command of troops protecting D.C.

General George McClellan

2nd commander of the Army of the Potomac.

Appointed after the disaster at Bull Run – they needed an officer with military experience.

Strategy was to continue with Operation Anaconda.

“My dear McClellan: If you don’t want to use the Army I should like to borrow it for a while.”

-- Abraham Lincoln

General Ambrose Burnside

• Replaced McClellan as 3rd Commander of the Army of the Potomac.

• Planned to capture the CSA capital of Richmond.

• Side note – inspired “sideburns”

General Joseph Hooker

Appointed as 4th Commander of the Army of the Potomac after Fredericksburg.

• Tried to rebuild and train the army.• May, 1863: set out to attack Richmond

• Wanted to attack Virginia instead of following General Lee.

General George Meade

• Replace Gen. Hooker as the 5th Commander of the Army of the Potomac

• Mission: Find General Lee and protect Washington DC from attack.

Ulysses S. Grant

• Successful military leader in the West.

• Objective: capture Richmond

• Send 2nd Army Company to capture Atlanta.

• Believed in “Total War”

“I can’t spare this man; he fights.”-- Abraham Lincoln

on U.S. Grant after Shiloh