Chapter II SECESSION AND WAR 1860-1861 A. Starting the Secession: South Carolina - December 20, 1860 South Carolina votes to secede - Major Robert Anderson US Army Commander at Charleston, South Carolina - Command of 85 men - Abandoned the outlying forts and moved his troops secretly to Ft. Sumter in the middle of the harbor. - US President James Buchanan (Pennsylvania) was waiting out the end of his term. - Attempts to re-supply Anderson with a non-warship, Star of the West. Buchanan informed Anderson via the mail, which was intercepted and never sent on. - The ship arrived in January, the southern batteries opened fire, Anderson had no idea what was going on and the Star of the West turned away. (The war almost started early if Anderson would have responded) B. The Confederate States of America - states begin to follow South Carolina s lead: - Mississippi January 9 th, 1861 - Florida January 10 th, 1861 - Alabama January 11 th, 1861 - Georgia January 19 th, 1861 - Louisiana January 26 th, 1861 - Texas February 1 st, 1861 - representatives meet in Montgomery Alabama and form a new country, February 18 th, 1861 - Jefferson Davis of Mississippi is chosen as President (1 Term, 6 yrs no re-election) - remaining cabinet selected from their statehood not talent C. Lincoln Takes Office - in his inaugural address he made 4 points: 1. Secession was illegal 2. Seceded states are still in the union 3. No Federal troops would be sent against states
(fact: Anderson had 10% of the entire army force east of the Mississippi!) 4. Government will hold property in seceded states D. THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER April 12, 1861 Commanders: USA Major Robert Anderson CSA P.G.T. Beauregard PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III - Anderson informed Lincoln that he only had food for about 40 days. - Word leaked out to the south allowing the south to realize they could play the waiting game. - Lincoln then decided to inform South Carolina that he was sending a supply ship that would only bring food. If this ship was fired upon, then the fort would be re-supplied with ammunition and soldiers. Now Davis had the ball in his court. - Davis informs Beauregard to demand the Fort s surrender immediately - Anderson rejects but says that they could only hold on for a few more days. - realizing that the supply ships are approaching, Beauregard orders that the fort is to be fired upon - 4:30 AM, April 12 th, 1861 no official wanted to fire the first shot. - Anderson doesn t respond until after breakfast, Captain Abner Doubleday gives the order for the first response shot, but is ordered to only use the non-exposed guns. - the bombardment lasts for 34 hours - The fort's central flagpole fell. During the period the flag was down, before the garrison could improvise a replacement, several Confederate envoys arrived to inquire whether the flag had been lowered in surrender. Anderson agreed to a truce at 2:00 p.m., April 13 th. - Anderson is allowed to have a surrender ceremony so he surrenders the fort. (during the surrender ceremony a cannon explodes killing one soldier the first casualty of the war)
E. Call To Arms - in reaction, Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers for 3 month service. - Col. Robert E. Lee is offered commission but turned it down and joined up with his state, Virginia. - southern states react to Lincoln and begin to secede: - Virginia April 17 th, 1861 - Tennessee May 1 st, 1861 - Arkansas May 6 th, 1861 - North Carolina May 20 th, 1861 - Davis calls for 100,000 volunteers for 1 year - CSA capitol is moved from Montgomery to Richmond VA. F. Civil War Armies: Structure and Organization 1. The Cavalry: the eyes and ears i. mounted soldiers, lightly armed & able to move fast ii. role: 1. provide intelligence (reconnaissance) 2. screening protecting flanks, forward & rear 3. raiding disrupt enemy communications 2. The Artillery: fire power iii. long ranged ordnance - role: 1. support attacking forces 2. fire on the enemies attacking forces 3. grouped in batteries of 4-6 guns 3. The Infantry: foot soldier iv. soldiers on foot, individually armed v. role: 1. attack enemy forces 2. defend from an attack 4. Basic Army Structure Unit Multiples # of Soldiers Commander Company - 100 Lt. Colonel, Major Regiment 10 companies 1,000 Colonel, Lt. Col., Major Brigade 4 regiments 4,000 Brigadier General, Colonel Division 3 brigades 12,000 Major General, Brig. Gen Corps 3 divisions 36,000 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. Army
5. Weapons of the Civil War - muskets: smoothbore round lead ball, 40 yard range rifled conical soft-lead projectile (Minnie-ball), 200-300 yards range - cannon: smoothbore & rifled ammo: solid shot against massed troops / fortifications shell fused, burst in the air canister filled shell, close range targets - saber: curved sword - carbine (breach-loaded) quick loading and light weight - revolver small size and multiple shots G. Wartime Strategy 1. The North: - divide & conquer - General of the U.S. Army, Gen. Winfield Scott devised the Anaconda Plan Goals: 1. capture the Confederate Capitol, Richmond 2. strangle the Confederacy with a blockade 3. advance down the Mississippi River & divide the CSA. 2. The South: - defend & survive (same as 13 original colonies) - seek European intervention H. First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) July 21, 1861 Commanders: USA Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell CSA Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard CSA Gen. Joseph E. Johnston 35,000 men 32,000 men
PHASE I McDowell initiates the battle, flanks the CSA left flank position. Beauregard regroups on Henry House Hill around Thomas J. Jackson s brigade. PHASE II Federal forces stopped on the hill due to confusion in flags and uniforms. Jackson s troops anchor the defense and receive the nickname, Stonewall. Johnston s troops arrive by train and threaten the Federal right flank. Federal forces are routed (a panicked retreat) CASUALTIES*: Federal 2,900 *killed, wounded & missing CSA 2,000 RESULT: Both sides realize that it would be a long war First Bull Run/Manassas review: http://www.historyanimated.com/bullrunanimation.html