The American Civil War 1861-1865 Karen H. Reeves Wilbur McLean: The war started in his front yard and ended in his parlor. Shortcut to 01 Drums of War.lnk
Essential Question: How did the two sides differ in their preparation for war?
Motivation North South Preservation of the Union States Rights
Casualties Over 3 million soldiers served 600,000+ died Union: 360,000 Confederacy: 260,000 The overall number of dead that resulted from the Civil War nearly equals the number of American soldiers killed in every other military action up to the present.
The Boys War More than 2,000,000 Federal soldiers were twenty-one or under (of a total of some 2,700,000) More than 1,000,000 were eighteen or under. About 800,000 were seventeen or under. About 200,000 were sixteen or under. About 100,000 were fifteen or under. Three hundred were thirteen or under-most of these fifers or drummers, but regularly enrolled, and sometimes fighters. Twenty-five were ten or under.
Progress of Secession
Sullivan Ballou
Advantages North Population (22 million): Recruits, Civilian manpower Industrial might: 80% of factories Superior transportation Organized army & navy Recognized government = loans, trade deals South Could fight a defensive war (750,000 sq. mi.) Knew the terrain Longstanding military tradition Leadership of Lee, Johnston, Jackson Defending home
Disadvantages North Had to win; could not be a draw Fought most of war in enemy s land Poor leadership in beginning South Little industry Had to worry about slave population Fewer recruits (9 million) Miss. R. cut off 3 of 8 Confederate states
Comparisons
Rail Lines 1850
Jefferson Davis (1809-1889)
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
Became President of Washington and Lee University Robert Edward Lee (1807-1870) Born in Virginia, son of Light Horse Harry Lee (Rev. War) Graduated from West Point 2/46 in class = no demerits Resigned commission in U.S. Army when Va. Seceded Known for his bold military maneuvers ( Hannibal ) It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it.
Ulysses Simpson Grant (1822-1885) Born Hiram Ulysses Grant in Ohio Graduated from West Point 21/39 Did not receive command until after victory at Vicksburg Known for drinking, depression Find out what brand he drinks and send a barrel to all our other generals. (Lincoln) Became President of the U.S.
Strategy Based on Napoleonic Warfare: Clausewitz, Jomini Destroy enemy in one decisive battle: force enemy s retreat Seize enemy s strategic sites (rail lines, supply depots, communication centers, industry) Capture enemy s capital Disrupt economy Demoralize his will to continue
Strategy Rapid movement of interior forces (railroads) Maintenance of tight front line Massing of men and materiel vs. enemy s weak point Maintenance of supply line Cavalry became mobile foot soldier (Massed frontal assaults deadly = advent of new Springfield & Enfield rifled musket increased killing distance to one mile)
Strategy Key Components Mississippi River International traders & smugglers Confederate offensive movements into Northern territory Southern goods and war material
Strategy War in East: take capitals, cut supplies, demoralize homeland War in West: control Mississippi, split Confederacy in half
South Army of Northern Virginia War of attrition (wearing down enemy) Problems: 1. Davis plagued by requests to defend every town 2. Southerners refused to sit and wage defensive war Created offensive-defensive strategy Created blockade runner
North Army of the Potomac Anaconda Plan = control seaports at Roanoke, Charleston, New Orleans Surround, wait and see Aggressive offense into the South
Overview Both sides expected brief war North blockaded coast, but fail to take Richmond North captured New Orleans, but failed to split South in two South failed to take Washington, D.C. Stalemate of 1862 turns into a total war + full mobilization (draft, issuing of bonds & paper money, new taxes, centralized banking system)
Overview Lincoln imposed martial law + suspended Habeas Corpus (held 10,000) Emancipation Proclamation (1/1/1863) = freed slaves in Confederate states only (not border states for fear of losing support) Black troops: 186,000 soldiers + 29,000 sailors = 10% of Union forces 68,0000 killed
Overview Gettysburg (Southern attempt to demoralize the North) Vicksburg fell (North wins war in West, divided the South) July, 1863: Draft riots in the North Inflation, corruption rock Northern economy Food shortages in the South
Overview South still did not quit Lincoln authorized taking war to the people = hopes to demoralize Sherman s March Lee runs out of supplies, reinforcements Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 1865 Lincoln assassinated April 14, 1865
Military Firsts Pontoon bridges (Alex s inflated hides) First Bull Run
Military Firsts Corps of Engineers Modern military barracks Industrial supply Public will Trenches, earthenworks
High Casualties Frontal Assaults (old tactics) vs. Modern firepower (rifles, artillery)