History Chapter 5
January 31, 1865
-Congress passed the 13th Amendment -Abolished slavery -Very significant moment in US history
Abraham Lincoln
-Had little political or military experience (served one term in Congress) -Communicated well with average citizens -Allowed military leaders to lead without interference -Had a "big picture" mindset and created a larger plan to defeat the south in multiple areas
Battle of Shiloh
-While everything was happening in VA, Grant's forces were attacked by Confederates from April 6-7, 1862 -Confederates came out really strong and at the end of the first day it looked like they might win but they couldn't hold their positionsà ends up being a Union victory -Serious amount of casualtiesà around 23,000 totalà North and South were both very upset about how much life was lost and how violence that battle was
Sherman's March to the Sea
November 15-December 21 1864 Sherman captured Atlanta in September 1864= very important because Atlanta was a railroad hub and a key industrial component to the Confederacy -William T. Sherman and 60,000 soldiers marched from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia (approx. 285 miles.) -The goal was to scare the people of Georgia into abandoning the Confederate causeà stole food, livestock, burned houses and barns of people who tried to fight against them= wanted everyone to feel "hard war" -Significance: hurt Southern morale, Confederates couldn't fight at full capacity, and likely ended the war faster because they continued to march through South Carolina and then North Carolina
Entering the Civil War: Pros and Cons for each side Union: Cons
Offensive war (not familiar with the land), not everyone cared about slavery, invading US land, different people have different values and interests, many union and confederate generals went to west point together OR fought on the same side during the Mexican American War...imagine how hard that would be??? Ever changing military leadership is a huge problem until Ulysses S. Grant
Emancipation Proclamation
Went into effect on January 1, 1863 -"All persons held as slaves within rebellious states are and henceforward shall be free" -Only pertained to states that had seceded from the Unionà did not apply to border states that still have slaves but were loyal to the Union: Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, West Virginia, Delaware -Freedom promised by this document really depended on a Union victory in this war -Document also announced acceptance of black men into the Union army and navyà liberated could become liberators -Shows the war for the Union=war for freedomà stronger moral force for Union cause -Lincoln justified this document as a "fit and necessary" war measure so they could cripple the South's use of slaves in the war, and also said the Proclamation would be enforced under his power as commander in chief -"I never, in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right, than I do in signing this paper," he declared. "If my name ever goes into history it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it."
Joseph Hookerà improved conditions for Union soldiers
better food, medical care, leave= well-liked by the Union soldiers
Jefferson Davis
From Mississippi. Fought in the Mexican American War. Wanting to have a leadership role in military affairs. Didn't really have an overall strategy -Failed to gain recognition from foreign nations -Wanted to defend all Southern territory equally and that was impossible
Civil War Battle Strategy North
Anaconda Planà developed by Union General Winfield Scott (successful in Mexican-American War, was primarily a strategist at this point because he was elderly and in bad health) -Scott wanted to encircle the Confederacy by: 1. Blockading the southern ports (navy was not very strong) to limit trade and income of the Confederacy, 2. Drove Union forces South along the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy in two -The goal was to leave the Confederacy disorganized and isolatedà other Union generals on the front lines disagreed with this plan and felt it was too complacentà felt it would require too much time and patience: Scott resigned at the end of 1861 and George McClellan took over *The plan was not accepted at this point but we will talk about it again when we get to 1863*
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
April 14, 1865 -John Wilkes Booth= actor and confederate sympathizer shot Lincoln in the back of the head at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. during a viewing of "Our American Cousin" -Booth and some friends had originally planned on kidnapping Lincoln and bringing him to Richmond before the war ended but that didn't happen -Booth and his coconspirators wanted to kill Lincoln, Johnson, and Secretary of State William Seward -After he shot Lincoln he jumped on the stage and shouted "Sic sempter tyrannis" à "Thus ever to tyrants!"à considered Lincoln to be a tyrant -Lincoln was carried to a boardinghouse across the streetà died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865à he was 56 years old -John Wilkes Booth was killed on April 16th after a manhunt for him and his coconspiratorsà they were executed in July 1865 including Mary Surratt= first woman put to death by the federal gvmt
Battle of Chancellorsville
April 30-May 6 1863 -Considered to be Robert E. Lee's greatest victory during the Civil War -Lee split his troops into two groups= led a surprise attack against Union soldiers and they fell into defensive positions, Hooker was later forced to have his soldiers retreat -Stonewall Jackson died at this battle from friendly fire, which was a devastating loss for the Confederacy -This win gave Lee the confidence to try to invade the Union againà Gettysburg
The Second Battle of Bull Run
August 29, 1862 -Manassas Junction, VA -Union forces commanded by John Pope were waiting for George McClellan and the Army of the Potomac to arriveà Confederacy commanded by Robert E. Lee decided to attack -Part of the Confederate army led by Stonewall Jackson burned a Union supply base after taking supplies and then waited for the Union soldiers in the woods -Pope's forces held their ground against Jackson's forces= heavy casualties on both sides -Once Lee arrived with the rest of the Confederate soldiers Pope had to withdraw his soldiers back to Washington -This loss was a huge hit to the morale of the Union soldiers à would soon be followed by the battle of Antietam
Battle of Fredericksburg
December 13, 1862 -Ambrose Burnside= new commander of the Army of the Potomac vs. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate army -This battle involved approximately 200,000 troops total: 120,000 Union vs. 80,000 Confederate= MASSIVE -Burnside led a two pronged attack against the Confederate soldiers but they were unsuccessful= Confederates win and had only 5,000 casualties compared to the Union's 13,000 -Burnside takes responsibility for this loss, many were frustrated with Lincoln for pushing Burnside towards this particular battleà was replaced by Joseph Hooker -Boosted Confederate morale after Antietam
Election of 1864
George McClellan= Democrat vs. Lincoln with a new VPà Andrew Johnson (Hamlin and Lincoln didn't always agree and Hamlin didn't like his lack of power) -McClellan ran on a peace platformà everyone wanted the war to end -Lincoln thought he was going to lose, William Tecumseh Sherman took Atlanta in September of 1864 and that turned the tide of the election -"Don't change horses in the middle of a stream"= Union party slogan for Lincoln -Confederate states obviously didn't participate so 25 states votedà Lincoln won by 191 electoral votes, approx. 78% of Union soldiers voted for Lincoln
George McClellan
Had a lot of military experience, played an active role in the Mexican-American War -Developed the Army of the Potomac after succeeding Winfield Scott as Commander-in-Chief of the Union Army -Believed the Confederate Army was much stronger than they actually were and was very afraid of a massive battle against themàled to butting heads with Abraham Lincoln -Peninsula Campaignà Lincoln wanted them to attack Richmond so McClellan proposed that they sail to the Virginia Peninsula in March 1862à 120,000 men landed on the coast and waited awhile before finally heading towards Richmond...McClellan was afraid they were outnumbered and asked for reinforcements, which Lincoln refused...this led to the Seven Days' battles
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
Issued by Lincoln on December 8, 1863 -Allowed for a full pardon for everyone involved in the rebellion and the reconstruction of everyone's property EXCEPT high Confederate government officials and military leaders -10 % plan= state governments could be reformed when 10% of eligible voters took an oath of loyalty to the United States -States that took the oath of loyalty were encouraged to develop a plan for dealing with the freed slaves -Some people felt Lincoln was being way too easy on the South but in general most people accepted it because he was a good leader and this showed his kindness and big picture thinking
Battle of Gettysburg
July 1-3 1863 -Considered to be the most important battle during the Civil War -Lee marched the Confederate soldiers into PA in late Juneàengagement between the two armies began on July 1st -Army of the Potomac was commanded by George Meade -Approximately 160,000 soldiers were there: almost 94,000 Union troops vs. 77,000 Confederate troops with approximately 51,000 total casualties= greatest number of casualties in a Civil War battleà Union casualties= 23,000, Confederate casualties=28,000 -This was the Confederacy's last attempt at a full scale invasion of the North -Lee was still trying to gain European support for the South, fuel a growing movement for peace in the North, turn the Union away from Confederate territory, and find provisions for his army -Day 1: Confederates were able to break the Union line but could not contain two areas: Cemetery Hill and Culps Hill -Day 2: Reinforcements arrived for both sidesà Lee attacked Little Round Top but was unable to get rid of the men defending that area at great cost to his troops -Day 3: Confederates attacked the Union center on Cemetery Ridge= Pickett's Charge (George Pickett was the man who led this attack at Cemetery Ridge and many Confederate soldiers were killed or injured) -Lee withdrew his army on July 4thà was not pursued by Meade because he was very cautious -This win for the Union turned the tide for the Civil War, Grant had also just taken Vicksburg on July 4th so morale was really good
Vicksburg, Mississippi
July 4, 1863 -Grant had been trying to control the Mississippi River but struggled in late 1862 and had to retreat back to TN and had a tough winter with minimal supplies -Returned in the spring of 1863 and took control of areas around Vicksburg with Union gunboats on the coast -Siege of Vicksburg lasted 6 weeksà Confederates hoped for reinforcements but they didn't come and they finally surrendered on July 4, 1863 -Significance: major victory for the Union that coincided with victory at Gettysburg, soldiers fought without access to good supplies, and the Mississippi River was now in Union control
54th Massachusetts Regiment
July of 1863. Commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw from Bostonà came from a strong abolitionist family but he was not an abolitionist himself -One of the first African American regiments in the Civil War -Fought at Fort Wagner in July of 1863à many soldiers died including Shaw and he was buried with many of his soldiers by the Confederates= considered by the Confederates to be the ultimate insult but his family believed it was considered an honor and he likely would have felt that way too
Siege of Petersburg:
Junction point for 5 railroads and Grant knew it was crucial for capturing Richmond (24 miles north) because it was their main supply hub -Began June 9, 1864 and ended March 25, 1865 -Grant constructed trenches surrounding Petersburg and Richmondà why is that important? - Lee's forces evacuated Richmond: everyone was exhausted and starving
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
Lee surrendered to Grant at the Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865à first time they actually saw each other face to face during the war -Terms of surrender: Lee's would not be imprisoned or tried for treason, could keep their horses, baggage, and sidearms, and then Grant gave them food rations for their journeys home -Few remaining confederate infantries around the country also surrendered over the next few days -Leeà returned home on parole and later became president of Washington College which is now Washington and Lee University -Jefferson Davisà captured May 10, 1865 and was imprisoned for 2 years but never tried for treasonà after release lived in Europe for a bit then retired in Mississippi
Technology during the Civil War
March 1862. Battle of Hampton Roads= naval battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack= ironclad warships in March 1862 -The rifle= better and more accurate for long range fire but very deadly, especially at close range -Torpedoes/landmines -Submarine- first submarine in the Civil War was called the Hunley= 8 met sat in it and turned the propeller with a hand crank -Railroads -Telegraphs
Taking over
March 2, 1864à Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant the lieutenant general= assumed command of the Union army -Many smaller battles in the deep southà Union's goal was to infiltrate their strongholds and the heart of the Confederacy
Battle of Antietam
September 17, 1862 -Sharpsburg, Maryland at Antietam Creek -Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern VA vs. George McClellan's Army of the Potomac -Deadliest one day battle in American history -Leading up to the battle, two soldiers found a copy of a document titled "Special Order 191"à detailed movements of the Confederate troops, plans for invasion of Maryland, etc. -McClellan was confident after viewing this document and decided to move his army closer to the Confederate soldiers -Approximately 87,000 Union forces vs. 45,000 Confederate forcesà almost 23,000 casualties in one day, one area on the battlefield was referred to as Bloody Lane -Considered to be a drawà Lee and troops retreated out of Maryland and McClellan didn't follow him (Lincoln was very mad about this and removed McClellan from command in November 1862.) -Significance: Lincoln took it as a victory and introduced the Emancipation Proclamation a few days later, Confederacy lost any hope of recognition from France or Great Britain
First Battle of Bull Run
july 21, 1861 First major land battle of the Civil War -35,000 Union troops marched from Washington D.C. to attack 20,000 Confederate soldiers along a river known as Bull Run in Manassas Junction, VA -Union: led by Brigadier General Irvin McDowell -Confederacy: led by P.G.T Beauregard -McDowell was worried that his soldiers were not prepared but Lincoln ordered them to push onàhoping this would open up a path for the Union troops to get to Richmond (Confederate capital) -Union soldiers marched slowly, Beauregard knew they were coming so he called for reinforcements from another confederate general, Joseph E. Johnstonà they were in the Shenandoah Valley -July 21, 1861 battle beginsà reporters and citizens from both sides basically camped out to watch this all unfold, had an afternoon picnic, etc. -Confederates managed to break the Union line and the Union soldiers retreatedà legit just ran away from the battle -Thomas J. Jackson= earned his nickname "Stonewall" at this battle because he was standing like a stone wall during the battle, very strong -Casualties= Unionà 3,000, Confederacyà 1,750 -Significance: This battle was a reality check for the Unionà they thought this would be an easy victory and the rebellion would be squashed quickly, but clearly that was not the case. Also gave the Confederacy the delusion that maybe they could win as quickly as the Union hoped they would lose... -McDowell was replaced with General George McClellanà would reorganize and retrain the Union troops who would then be known as the Army of the Potomac
Entering the Civil War: Pros and Cons for each side Union: Pros
larger population, larger trained army, more resources, money, and industry, government was already in place, stronger leader in Abraham Lincoln, taking the moral high ground over slavery
Civil War Battle Strategy -South
primarily a defensive strategy -Goal was to defend the homeland with interior communication but they would go on the offensive in the North if the opportunity became available -Initially this was a huge advantage because defense requires fewer resources -The Confederacy was committed to protecting their homeland BUT the land in the south became decimated à unable to take advantage of Union weaknesses
Entering the Civil War: Pros and Cons for each side -Confederacy: Pros
similar values, united purpose, fighting defensively (large area, poor roads, rugged terrain), beloved military general (Robert E. Lee), European dependence on cotton
Entering the Civil War: Pros and Cons for each side -Confederacy: Cons
smaller population, fewer resources and less industrial capacity, states rights>federal government, breaking from the union is difficult, indecisive president in Jefferson Davis
