THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-18651865

The Civil War: A The Civil War: A Long, Bloody Long, Bloody

AffairAffair No one thought the war would last No one thought the war would last long.long.

One congressman said he’d be One congressman said he’d be able to wipe up all the blood spilt able to wipe up all the blood spilt over secession with his over secession with his handkerchief.handkerchief.

Northern AdvantagesNorthern Advantages North had the North had the populationpopulation advantage, advantage,

with 22 million people to the South’s 9 with 22 million people to the South’s 9 million.million.

North had the North had the economic advantageeconomic advantage, , controlling 85% of U.S. industry. They controlling 85% of U.S. industry. They could produce military supplies fastercould produce military supplies faster

Most of the Most of the railroadsrailroads were located in were located in the Northeast and Midwest, so the north the Northeast and Midwest, so the north could move troops and supplies more could move troops and supplies more easilyeasily

Most of the U.S. Most of the U.S. NavyNavy remained loyal to remained loyal to the Union. This allowed for the the Union. This allowed for the Anaconda Plan, which involved a naval Anaconda Plan, which involved a naval blockade of the South.blockade of the South.

Southern AdvantagesSouthern Advantages

South had to fight only a South had to fight only a defensivedefensive warwar – they just needed to protect – they just needed to protect their territory until the North gave their territory until the North gave up. up.

The South had The South had excellent military excellent military leadershipleadership

The War Begins…• After the 1860 presidential election of

Abraham Lincoln, SEVEN seceding Southern states formed the Confederate States of America.

• The War began on April 12, 1861 when Confederates bombarded Fort Sumter. The Confederates took the fort without either side losing a man. FOUR more states seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy.

The bombardment of Fort Sumter

4 slave states stayed with the Union4 slave states stayed with the Union1 new state got created (West Virginia)1 new state got created (West Virginia)

THE OBJECTIVES THE OBJECTIVES OF UNION STRATEGYOF UNION STRATEGY

Blockade the coastBlockade the coastLiberate slaves/undermine economy of the Liberate slaves/undermine economy of the SouthSouthCut Confederacy in half by seizing Cut Confederacy in half by seizing Mississippi RiverMississippi RiverChop the Confederacy to pieces by Chop the Confederacy to pieces by sending troops through Georgia and the sending troops through Georgia and the CarolinasCarolinasCapture Richmond, the Confederate Capture Richmond, the Confederate capitalcapital

Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee•Lee had gained recognition serving in the Mexican War.

•Lincoln asked him to lead the Union Army but he said no.

•He opposed secession and slavery but said he could not fight against his home state of Virginia. He became commander of the Confederate Army

Battle of Bull Run / ManassasBattle of Bull Run / Manassas

Some Northerners set Some Northerners set up a picnic to view this, up a picnic to view this, the first battle of the the first battle of the Civil WarCivil War

Union called it Bull Run Union called it Bull Run after the creek that ran after the creek that ran near the battlefield.near the battlefield.

South called it South called it Manassas after the Manassas after the town it was neartown it was near

The first major battle of the Civil War, July 1861

Spectators at Bull Run

Bull Run was a Union defeat that shamed the North and helped them realize that the war was going to take longer than a couple of months.

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Alfred S. Johnston

Two of the Confederacy’s best generals, Jackson and Johnston, were at Manassas. Neither of them would survive the war.

Additional Bull Run informationAdditional Bull Run information

July 21, 1861; Confederate victoryJuly 21, 1861; Confederate victory Near Washington, DCNear Washington, DC Union soldiers fled, and Confederates Union soldiers fled, and Confederates

did not pursue them because they did not pursue them because they were hungry, tired, and disorganizedwere hungry, tired, and disorganized

South got overconfident, while North South got overconfident, while North realized the fight would be longrealized the fight would be long

Fighting ConditionsFighting Conditions

Both sides Both sides suffered from lack suffered from lack of supplies and of supplies and disease during the disease during the warwar

Disease, Disease, malnutrition and malnutrition and infectioninfection took the took the lives of over 65% lives of over 65% of the soldiers who of the soldiers who fought in the war.fought in the war.

A Union doctor gets ready to amputate a soldiers leg. Amputations were a very common procedure during the war.

Part of the reason Part of the reason there were so many there were so many infections is because infections is because there were many there were many amputations.amputations.

The bullet being used The bullet being used in the Civil War was in the Civil War was known as the Minie known as the Minie Ball. It was made of Ball. It was made of soft lead, and unlike soft lead, and unlike modern bullets, when modern bullets, when it hit bone it would it hit bone it would spread, turning bone spread, turning bone into dust.into dust.

The Minie Ball also The Minie Ball also made Civil War rifles made Civil War rifles much more accuratemuch more accurate

Peninsula Campaign/Peninsula Campaign/Seven Days’ BattlesSeven Days’ Battles

Peninsula Campaign InformationPeninsula Campaign Information

June 26-July 2, 1862—Confederate victoryJune 26-July 2, 1862—Confederate victory McClellan was Union general—brilliant, but McClellan was Union general—brilliant, but

too hesitanttoo hesitant Lincoln joked that if he wasn’t going to use Lincoln joked that if he wasn’t going to use

the army, Lincoln would like to borrow it; the army, Lincoln would like to borrow it; McClellan called Lincoln his baboonMcClellan called Lincoln his baboon

Campaign was headed for Richmond, Lee Campaign was headed for Richmond, Lee counterattacked in Seven Days’ Battlescounterattacked in Seven Days’ Battles

Merrimack vs. MonitorMerrimack vs. Monitor

Merrimack vs. MonitorMerrimack vs. Monitor

The The MerrimackMerrimack was on old wooden was on old wooden Union ship that the Confederacy Union ship that the Confederacy reconditioned into an ironclad, reconditioned into an ironclad, unseaworthy vesselunseaworthy vessel

The The Monitor,Monitor, another ironclad ship, another ironclad ship, brought in by the Union in March 1862 brought in by the Union in March 1862 to defeat the to defeat the Merrimack Merrimack (now called the (now called the CSS CSS Virginia)Virginia)

Merrimack (Virginia) Merrimack (Virginia) was eventually was eventually destroyed so Union would not get itdestroyed so Union would not get it

Antietam—September 1862Antietam—September 1862

Additional information on Additional information on AntietamAntietam

Mid-September 1862, in MarylandMid-September 1862, in Maryland Union “victory”, led by McClellanUnion “victory”, led by McClellan Lee’s battle plans wrapped around a Lee’s battle plans wrapped around a

cigar pack that a Confederate soldier cigar pack that a Confederate soldier had dropped were found by the Unionhad dropped were found by the Union

Gave Lincoln the opportunity to issue Gave Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which the Emancipation Proclamation, which strengthened the moral cause of the strengthened the moral cause of the warwar

even more info: even more info: AntietamAntietam

Lee invaded Lee invaded Maryland trying to Maryland trying to end war.end war.

Regarded as the Regarded as the bloodiest day in bloodiest day in American HistoryAmerican History

There was no clear There was no clear winner of the winner of the battle, but it was battle, but it was enough for Lincoln enough for Lincoln to call it a Union to call it a Union victory and issue victory and issue the the Emancipation Emancipation ProclamationProclamation

Emancipation Emancipation ProclamationProclamation

Document was issued on Document was issued on September 23, 1862, September 23, 1862, and became effective and became effective January 1, 1863January 1, 1863

Freed slaves in areas Freed slaves in areas rebelling against the rebelling against the Union (NOT those in Union (NOT those in border states)border states)

Some thought Lincoln Some thought Lincoln had gone too far, and had gone too far, and others that he had not others that he had not gone far enoughgone far enough

Emancipation Emancipation ProclamationProclamation

Freed all slaves in South occupied Freed all slaves in South occupied territory.territory.

Some argued that it did nothing since Some argued that it did nothing since the South wasn’t a part of the Union the South wasn’t a part of the Union at the time.at the time.

Officially made the war about slavery.Officially made the war about slavery. The most unpopular act of Lincoln’s The most unpopular act of Lincoln’s

presidency (in the North and South).presidency (in the North and South).

Fredericksburg, VA—December Fredericksburg, VA—December 1862; Union commander Burnside1862; Union commander Burnside

FredericksburgFredericksburg General Burnside sends Union troops across an open field General Burnside sends Union troops across an open field

at Lee and his men, who were set up behind a stone wall. at Lee and his men, who were set up behind a stone wall. The Union Army took huge losses.The Union Army took huge losses.

“General Lee, A chicken could not

live on that field when we open on it”

-Gen. James Longstreet before

Fredericksburg

Chancellorsville, VA—May Chancellorsville, VA—May 18631863 Lee divided his army and sneaked up behind the Union, Lee divided his army and sneaked up behind the Union,

led by General Hooker. Federal troops are taken totally led by General Hooker. Federal troops are taken totally by surprise and the Confederacy wins, but Stonewall by surprise and the Confederacy wins, but Stonewall Jackson was mistakenly killed late in the day by his own Jackson was mistakenly killed late in the day by his own men.men.

Jackson is buried in Lexington, but his arm is Jackson is buried in Lexington, but his arm is buried 100 miles away on a farmburied 100 miles away on a farm

Gettysburg—July 1-3, Gettysburg—July 1-3, 18631863

Sample battle maps

Day 2: Little Round TopDay 2: Little Round Top

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and his Maine Regiment defend Little Round Top from repeated Confederate assaults. Out of ammo, he orders a

bayonets charge to finally push back the Confederate attack.

Little Round Top after the Battle

Cemetery RidgeCemetery Ridge

The weapons were more advanced The weapons were more advanced than the tacticsthan the tactics

A big reason casualties were so high during the Civil A big reason casualties were so high during the Civil War was because the weapons technology had War was because the weapons technology had advanced, but generals were still using the old way of advanced, but generals were still using the old way of fighting – marching up men in columns, lining up and fighting – marching up men in columns, lining up and firing.firing.

GettysburgGettysburg Lee gambles again and invades the Lee gambles again and invades the

North North He hopes to bring the war to the He hopes to bring the war to the

North hoping that public support North hoping that public support would drop and the Union would would drop and the Union would have to recognize the Confederacy.have to recognize the Confederacy.

Lee’s army was short on supplies, Lee’s army was short on supplies, and the North is where they would be and the North is where they would be able to raid towns for food, clothes able to raid towns for food, clothes and other necessities.and other necessities.

75,000 Confederates in 75,000 Confederates in Pennsylvania!Pennsylvania!

The first shots The first shots are fired by are fired by Illinois Cavalry Illinois Cavalry when a Southern when a Southern raiding party raiding party was discovered was discovered coming into coming into Gettysburg Gettysburg looking for looking for shoes.shoes.

This was the only This was the only major battle major battle fought in the fought in the NorthNorth

Pickett’s ChargePickett’s Charge

On the 3On the 3rdrd day of the battle, Lee orders 15,000 men day of the battle, Lee orders 15,000 men under Gen. George Pickett to assault the center of the under Gen. George Pickett to assault the center of the Union line. They must cross a half mile of open ground Union line. They must cross a half mile of open ground to get there.to get there.

Casualties after 3 days at Gettysburg – Union: 23,000; Confederacy: 28,000. Gettysburg permanently turned the tide of the war for the North. From that point

on Lee’s army was hurting.

After Gettysburg

Matthew Brady’s photos of Civil War battlefields Matthew Brady’s photos of Civil War battlefields presented the horrors of the war to the public presented the horrors of the war to the public

in a way they had never seen before.in a way they had never seen before.

Gettysburg Address: 272 words that Gettysburg Address: 272 words that provide hope for liberty worldwideprovide hope for liberty worldwide

Meanwhile….Meanwhile….

OUT WEST IN 1862-1863, THE UNION OUT WEST IN 1862-1863, THE UNION FINALLY BEGINS TO IDENTIFY A FINALLY BEGINS TO IDENTIFY A GREAT GENERAL WHO WILL HELP GREAT GENERAL WHO WILL HELP WIN THE WAR….WIN THE WAR….

Capture of Fort Henry out west, Feb 1862—Capture of Fort Henry out west, Feb 1862—Ulysses S. Grant proves himself; this helps Ulysses S. Grant proves himself; this helps open the way to capture Tennesseeopen the way to capture Tennessee

Fort Donelson, Feb 1862—Grant demands Fort Donelson, Feb 1862—Grant demands “unconditional surrender”“unconditional surrender”

Battle of Corinth, MississippiBattle of Corinth, Mississippi

Battle of Shiloh, TN—Battle of Shiloh, TN—April 1862April 1862

By the end of the war, 7 more battles as deadly as Shiloh (or more) would be fought. Shiloh was particularly gory, and a northern “victory.”

Casualties from the entire Revolutionary War: 4,500Casualties from two days at the Battle of Shiloh: 23,500

Battle of New Orleans, Battle of New Orleans, spring 1862—Farragut spring 1862—Farragut commands the troopscommands the troops

Battle of Vicksburg, 1863Battle of Vicksburg, 1863

Goals: control of the Mississippi River and cutting Goals: control of the Mississippi River and cutting off Confederate supply routesoff Confederate supply routes

Vicksburg factsVicksburg facts

Siege ended July 4, 1863Siege ended July 4, 1863 Confederate garrison was so hungry that Confederate garrison was so hungry that

men were eating rats and mules to men were eating rats and mules to survivesurvive

Union victory came one day after the Union victory came one day after the victory at Gettysburg and ended any victory at Gettysburg and ended any hope that the Confederacy had of getting hope that the Confederacy had of getting foreign aidforeign aid

Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant In the West, Grant’s In the West, Grant’s

siege of Vicksburg is siege of Vicksburg is a success giving the a success giving the Union control of the Union control of the Mississippi River.Mississippi River.

Grant was an Grant was an aggressive military aggressive military leader. And always leader. And always wanted to push his wanted to push his army forward.army forward.

Lincoln says of Lincoln says of Grant, “I can’t Grant, “I can’t spare this man, he spare this man, he fights.”fights.”

Atlanta and Sherman’s Atlanta and Sherman’s March to the SeaMarch to the Sea

Facts about the marchFacts about the march

Sherman’s men captured Atlanta in Sherman’s men captured Atlanta in September 1864 and burned the citySeptember 1864 and burned the city

They then cut a 60-mile-wide path of They then cut a 60-mile-wide path of destruction during their 250 mile destruction during their 250 mile journey southeast to Savannahjourney southeast to Savannah

Soldiers burned buildings, tore up Soldiers burned buildings, tore up railroad tracks and shaped them into railroad tracks and shaped them into pretzels, and ran off with souvenirs pretzels, and ran off with souvenirs after looting townsafter looting towns

Ruins in Charleston, SCRuins in Charleston, SC

Wilderness Campaign, May-June 1864Wilderness Campaign, May-June 1864

Grant’s PlanGrant’s Plan Grant tells Lincoln he is going Grant tells Lincoln he is going

to march on Richmond, take is to march on Richmond, take is losses and press on until the losses and press on until the South ran out of men, supplies South ran out of men, supplies or the will to fight – this tactic is or the will to fight – this tactic is called a “war of attrition”.called a “war of attrition”.

Grant was criticized because of Grant was criticized because of his willingness to take losses. his willingness to take losses. Some in the North called him a Some in the North called him a “butcher”. He knew the fastest “butcher”. He knew the fastest way to end the war was to use way to end the war was to use the Union’s superior numbers.the Union’s superior numbers.

Additional informationAdditional information

Cold Harbor on June 3, 1864, was a Cold Harbor on June 3, 1864, was a particularly bloody encounter; in a few particularly bloody encounter; in a few minutes, about 7000 Union men were minutes, about 7000 Union men were killed or woundedkilled or wounded

Union forces were headed for RichmondUnion forces were headed for Richmond Casualties were very high; Lee’s Casualties were very high; Lee’s

desperation as troop numbers were desperation as troop numbers were depleted led to brutal trench warfaredepleted led to brutal trench warfare

Appomattox Courthouse, April Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 18659, 1865

Lee Surrenders at Lee Surrenders at AppomattoxAppomattox

With his army starving and getting smaller With his army starving and getting smaller every day, Lee eventually meets with Grant every day, Lee eventually meets with Grant to sign terms of surrender in Appomattox to sign terms of surrender in Appomattox Courthouse, VirginiaCourthouse, Virginia

Lee thought Grant’s terms were Lee thought Grant’s terms were generous.generous. The Confederate Army had to turn over The Confederate Army had to turn over

its arms and provide lists of its men.its arms and provide lists of its men. After that, all Confederate soldiers After that, all Confederate soldiers

could go home.could go home. Officers could keep their side-arms, Officers could keep their side-arms,

horses and baggage.horses and baggage. 40 hours after Jefferson Davis fled 40 hours after Jefferson Davis fled

Richmond, Lincoln sat in his office and Richmond, Lincoln sat in his office and walked the streets of the former walked the streets of the former Confederate capital.Confederate capital.

Roles played by African-AmericansRoles played by African-Americans

180,000 served in the Union army, made up 10% of 180,000 served in the Union army, made up 10% of enlistmentsenlistments

Participated in about 500 engagementsParticipated in about 500 engagements Won 22 Congressional Medals of HonorWon 22 Congressional Medals of Honor Extremely heavy casualties; about 38,000 died, and if Extremely heavy casualties; about 38,000 died, and if

captured, were often executedcaptured, were often executed Fort Pillow massacre in Tennessee as they tried to Fort Pillow massacre in Tennessee as they tried to

surrendersurrender Some slaves served as spies and scouts for the Some slaves served as spies and scouts for the

UnionUnion South enlisted African-Americans during the last South enlisted African-Americans during the last

month of the war as an act of desperationmonth of the war as an act of desperation About 500,000 escaped to the NorthAbout 500,000 escaped to the North

5454thth Massachusetts Massachusetts

In the North, all black regiments were being formed. The 54th Massachusetts gained military fame for leading the failed assault on Fort Wagner. Casualties were at 50%

Election issues in 1864Election issues in 1864

Democratic party split: War Democrats are pro-Democratic party split: War Democrats are pro-Lincoln, Peace Democrats want to end the war, Lincoln, Peace Democrats want to end the war, and Copperheads support the Southand Copperheads support the South

Radical Republicans resent Lincoln’s use of Radical Republicans resent Lincoln’s use of power and want to run Salmon Chasepower and want to run Salmon Chase

UNION party formed by Republicans and War UNION party formed by Republicans and War DemocratsDemocrats

Democrats run McClellan vs. LincolnDemocrats run McClellan vs. Lincoln Andrew Johnson, a War Democrat, is chosen Andrew Johnson, a War Democrat, is chosen

as Lincoln’s running mate to help gain victoryas Lincoln’s running mate to help gain victory

Lincoln’s death and its Lincoln’s death and its impactimpact

Shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC on April Theater in Washington, DC on April 14, 186514, 1865

Made things worse for the South and Made things worse for the South and intensified the struggle over intensified the struggle over Reconstruction; Lincoln had been a Reconstruction; Lincoln had been a moderate and skilled at the political moderate and skilled at the political game in ways that Andrew Johnson game in ways that Andrew Johnson would prove not to bewould prove not to be

Casualties of warCasualties of war

Casualty rates for many Civil War battles were at 50%. Nowadays a 10% casualty rate is considered a “bloodbath”

Some regiments that began with around 1,500 men would be reduced to less that 300 in a year.

Toll the war took on the countryToll the war took on the country Over 600,000 people died, which is almost as many Over 600,000 people died, which is almost as many

as the deaths in all other US wars combinedas the deaths in all other US wars combined

$15 billion in losses$15 billion in losses

Southern economy paralyzed; the impact of this Southern economy paralyzed; the impact of this lingers todaylingers today

No more ideas about secession and nullificationNo more ideas about secession and nullification

End of slaveryEnd of slavery

Despite the destruction, the war served as Despite the destruction, the war served as inspiration for the champions of democracy in the US inspiration for the champions of democracy in the US and around the world….though the road to equality and around the world….though the road to equality would be difficult for African-Americanswould be difficult for African-Americans