Major Battles of the Civil War 1861 1865

Major Battles of the Civil War 1861 -1865

The Tale of the Tape Names North, Federal, Union South, Confederate, Rebel Color Blue Gray Capital Washington, D. C. Richmond, VA States 23, plus the territories 11 States 13 stars in flag (1 each for Missouri and Kentucky) Population 22 million 9 million (3. 5 million slaves) Financial Resources 75% of nation’s resources; wealth invested in industry 25% of nation’s resources; wealth in land slaves Leadership Strong Political; weak military Strong Military; Weak political Industry 92% 8% Motivation Initially: Preserve the Union Later: ending slavery added Defend homes and land; Preserve Southern way of life

Battle of Fort Sumter ► Describe the two decisions weighed by Lincoln about sending a warship to resupply Fort Sumter. § If he sent a warship to resupply the fort, it might be seen as an act of aggression. § BUT, if he decided to NOT resupply the fort, it could likely demonstrate weakness to the rebellious South.

Ft. Sumter and the beginning of hostilities ► Confederacy called for the Federal Government to turn over control of federally held forts ► Lincoln refused and attempted to resupply Ft. Sumter in Charleston, S. C. , with food ► On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired on the fort effectively beginning the Civil War

Fort Sumter Date State Leaders N/S Victor & importance of outcome Confederate victory April 12, 1861 South Carolina Anderson (North) Beauregard (South) Led to Lincoln calling for 75, 000 militiamen for 90 days Began the war

Lincoln calls for volunteers ► April 15, 1861, Lincoln called for 75, 000 volunteers from the states to serve for 90 days to put down the rebellion ► This lead to the secession of Virginia, N. C. , Arkansas and Tennessee

Naming of Armies and Battles ► The Union named its armies and many battles after bodies of water ► The Confederates named its armies by region and battles by city/town Army of the Potomac Army of the Tennessee Army of the Ohio Battle of Bull Run Battle of Antietam Army of Northern Virginia Army of Tennessee Army of the Northwest Battle of Manassas Battle of Shaprsburg

Lincoln offers Lee command ► ► Winfield Scott suggested to President Lincoln that Robert E Lee should be chosen to lead the Federal forces ► Lee was called to Washington and offered the command, which he turned down “I shall never bear arms against the Union, but it may be necessary for me to carry a musket in the defense of my native state, Virginia. ” – Robert E Lee “Lee, you have made the greatest mistake of your life. . . ” – Winfield Scott

Control the Mississippi River Capture Richmond Blockade the Confederate coastline

Army of the Potomac Union army in the east, responsible for guarding Washington, D. C. and attacking Richmond, Virginia George Meade Ambrose Burnside George Mc. Clellan Ulysses S Grant Joseph Hooker

Army of Northern Virginia Confederate army in the east, responsible for defending Richmond Joseph Johnston P. G. T. Beauregard James Longstreet Robert E Lee Stonewall Jackson

Bull Run / Manassas ► How did Stonewall Jackson get his nickname? § His men believed that he stood “like a stone wall” at the front of his troops in the face of the Union attack.

First Battle of Bull Run Battle of Manassas Date State Leaders N/S Victor & importance of outcome Confederate victory that increased southern morale July 21, 1861 Virginia Irvin Mc. Dowell (North) Led to the Union P. G. T. Beauregard (south) army ask for 500, 000 volunteers Both sides realized it would not be short war

Ruins of a stone bridge over Bull Run Creek

First Battle of Bull Run

U. S. S. Monitor vs. C. S. S. Virginia (formerly U. S. S. Merrimack) ► Describe the impact iron-clad ships made on the future of naval warfare. Be sure to explain how they were made, which side first used them, and the advantages they offered. § It included more than 4 inches of armor covering its propeller, the anchor, and all important machinery. It also had a revolving turret mounted on its deck that housed two 11 inch guns all covered in 8 inches of armor. § The Confederacy first used them. § Overall, this shifted the focus of naval warfare to ironclad ships instead of wooden ones.

Battle of Shiloh

Battle of Shiloh ► Who said, “My God, we are attacked”? Be sure to explain the circumstances regarding this quote. § Union General William Tecumseh Sherman said this when his orderly, or servant soldier, was unexpectedly killed.

Antietam Sharpsburg Date State Leaders N/S George Mc. Clellan Sept 17, (north) Maryland 1862 Robert E Lee (South) Victor & importance of outcome Military draw; seen as political victory for Union when Lee retreats south Bloodiest day of the war – 25, 000 casualties Increased Union confidence Led to Emancipation Proclamation

Antietam Creek Bridge 1862

Dunker Church (present day memorial and with dead Union & Confederates after 9/17/1862)

Battle of Antietam ► How did Union leadership completely spoil an opportunity to win the war on September 17, 1862? § On Sept. 13, two Union troops found a copy of Lee’s orders to invade the North and divide his troops for the best attack. BUT, Union General Mc. Clellan waited almost 18 hours to begin to move his troops to attack Lee used this precious time to reorganize his army and method of attack.

The Death of Stonewall Jackson ► After the first day of fighting at Chancellorsville, Jackson was shot by friendly fire while returning to camp. ► Jackson lost his left arm from his wound and it was buried near Chancellorsville; he died a 8 days later on, May 10, from his wounds ► With Stonewall Jackson’s death, Lee lost one of his best generals. ► Lee: “I have lost my right arm, and I am bleeding at the heart”

Gettysburg Campaign ►Fighting lasted 3 days on the hills and fields around Gettysburg, PA § July 1 -3, 1863 ► 90, 000 Union troops were commanded by Gen. George Meade ► 75, 000 Confederate troops were commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee ►As much as 51, 000 total casualties were estimated in the battle § Bloodiest battle in American History Union Confederacy

Gettysburg Day 1 ► Skirmishes begin North of town as advanced scouting parties of the two armies converge ► Lee knows he needs to control the high ground. He orders General Ewell to take Culp’s Hill “If Practicable…” ► Ewell decides it is not practicable, and the Union controls the high ground

Gettysburg Day 2 ► The Union army forms a fishhook defensive position ► Confederates under James Longstreet attack the Southern end of the fishhook along the hills Round Top and Little Round Top ► Joshua Chamberlain’s 20 th Maine defends Little Round Top preventing the Confederates from destroying the Union line

Charge of the 20 th Maine – Little Round Top

Gettysburg Day 3 ► Lee’s last ditch effort to win the battle and perhaps the war ► George Pickett’s Division is ordered to attack the Union line in what is known as “Pickett’s Charge” ► The attack fails and Pickett’s Division is wiped out ► Lee retreats, never to invade the North again. The bloodiest battle of the war is over

Pickett’s Charge

Gettysburg Date State Leaders Victor & importance of outcome N/S Union victory July 1 - 3, 1863 George Meade (North) Pennsylvania Robert E Lee (south) High Water Mark of the Confederacy As many as 51, 000 combined casualties Bloodiest battle of the war the South would never invade North again

Battle of Gettysburg ► Describe the event known as “Pickett’s Charge”. Be sure to explain the circumstances surrounding the event, what the term means, how it receives its name, and the outcome of it. § General Lee ordered General George Pickett to lead his men on a uphill charge to storm the Union defenses. The Union had the high ground almost half of the southern force was killed. Many decided to retreat. The South never fully recovered from this huge mistake.

Siege of Vicksburg Date May 18 to July 4, 1863 State Mississippi Leaders N/S Ulysses S Grant (north) John Pemberton (south) Victor & importance of outcome Union victory Union control of Mississippi River (fulfilled a major part of the Anaconda Plan)

Battle of Vicksburg ► Describe how this battle resulted in Union General U. S. Grant becoming a “feared military leader”. § He ordered a siege of the city which prevented anyone from going in or going out and continually launched artillery into the city itself.

The Atlanta Campaign ► Summer of 1864 William Sherman pushes confederate forces form the Georgia-Tennessee border to Atlanta ► Confederates burn Atlanta as they abandon it ► Atlanta is captured and the success helps propel Lincoln to victory in the election of 1864. ► It was a crushing defeat for the morale of the South.

The Atlanta Campaign Date State Leaders N/S Victor & importance of outcome Union victory July 16 – Sept 2, 1864 William T. Sherman Captured the “heart of the South” John Bell Hood Launched Sherman’s “March to the Sea” Georgia Use of “total war”

Sherman’s March to the Sea "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah, with one hundred and fifty guns and plenty of ammunition, also about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton. " - William T. Sherman to Abraham Lincoln

Sherman’s March to the Sea

Sherman’s March to the Sea ► What goals did Sherman have in his “march to the sea”? § To destroy any last hope the Confederate army and Southern people had of winning the war. His tactics of “total war” were designed to break the spirit of the Confederacy.

Siege of Petersburg Date June 15, 1864 – April 2, 1865 State Leaders N/S Ulysses S Grant Virginia Robert E Lee Victor & importance of outcome Union victory Opened the door to Richmond Led to Lee’s surrender

Union trenches at the siege of Petersburg

Union created “crater”

Richmond falls to the Union • Confederate lines broke at Richmond on April 2, 1865 • Lee and his army retreated west of Richmond • Union blocked his escape route • On April 3, 1865 they took Richmond • Confederates attempted to burn it

“There is nothing left for me to do but go & see General Grant, & I would rather die a thousand deaths. ” – Gen. Robert E. Lee • Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9 • Grant gave favorable terms to the Lee’s soldiers • Jefferson Davis was captured on May 10 “I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly…though [the cause]…[was] one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one which there was the least excuse. I do not question the sincerity of the great mass of those who were opposed to us. ” – Gen Ulysses S. Grant

Lee surrenders to Grant Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia April 9, 1865

Appomattox Courthouse ► Explain the conditions given to the Confederates as part of their surrender. § Grant agreed to let Lee and his men go home in exchange for their surrender and to put down their guns § Grant agreed to the Confederate soldiers would not be tried for treason. They were allowed to go home, return to pre-war lives, and keep their horses.