The Civil War 1861-1865 1
The Border States Lincoln elected US President in 1860 election. Shortly after the election, South Carolina seceded from the Union. The capital of the Confederacy was Richmond, VA, located just 100 miles from the Union capital of Washington, D.C. In Virginia, most westerners supported the Union. In 1861 West Virginia seceded from Virginia. They became a state in 1863. 2
Goals of the Civil War The main goal of the North was to bring the South back into the Union. The Union s military plan was called the Anaconda Plan. With this plan they would: Blockade Southern ports (no supplies) Gain control of the Mississippi River and cut the South in half They also wanted to capture the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia. 3
Goals of the Civil War The main goal of the South was to be recognized as an independent nation. Their plan was: Defend their homeland and tire out the North Get Great Britain to join them against the North 4
1. Fort Sumter - 1861 First battle that STARTED the Civil War Union forces used this fort as a stronghold in the harbor of Charleston. April 1861 Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, South Carolina.
2. First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) 1861 The first major battle of the Civil War happened in July 1861. It was the First Battle of Bull Run at Manassas, Virginia. The Union general was Irvin McDowell fought against Confederate generals P.G.T. Beauregard and Thomas Stonewall Jackson. The Union Army of 30,000 marched toward Richmond, Virginia. The Confederacy with 22,000 pushed back. The Union troops retreated. The outcome of Bull Run shocked the North. They began to realize the war would be long and costly.
3. Shiloh 1862 The Union plan in the West (Anaconda Plan) was to gain control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in half. Grant headed toward Mississippi and camped near a church named Shiloh. Confederate troops attacked Grant on April 6, 1862. The Battle of Shiloh was two of the bloodiest days of the war. The Union won the battle. 5. New Orleans - 1862 A few weeks later the North won an important victory. On April 25, 1862, captured New Orleans. The South could no longer use the Mississippi to transport goods. The Union now controlled most of the Mississippi River.
4. Battle of Antietam - 1862 Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, ordered General Lee to launch an offensive into Maryland. The two sides met in the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg, Maryland) on September 17, 1862. This battle was the single bloodiest day of the war. 23,000 men were killed and/or wounded on that one day. Lee withdrew to Virginia, and the Union claimed a victory.
6. Gettysburg - 1863 The two armies met by accident on July 1, 1863. Union troops surprised Confederate troops raiding the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for shoes. The Battle of Gettysburg lasted three days. Turning point of the Civil War. After three days of fighting, a total of 51,000 men were killed and/or injured. Still, the Northern forces were victorious. Lee s defeat at Gettysburg ended his attempts at victory in the North.
7. Vicksburg - 1863 Vicksburg, Mississippi was necessary for control of the Mississippi River. For several months, Grant laid siege to Vicksburg. Vicksburg surrendered on July 4, 1863, allowing the Union to accomplish the Anaconda Plan. The Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg were the turning points of the Civil War. On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered a two-minute speech called the Gettysburg Address. His speech helped focus the North.
8. Sherman s March to the Sea - 1864 Leaving Atlanta in ruins, Sherman convinced Grant to allow him to try a bold plan. Sherman s army began their march to the sea from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. Sherman participated in total war. This means destroying everything that was useful to the enemy. Sherman s troops burned crops, tore up rail lines, and killed livestock. He marched to Virginia to meet up with Grant s troops. After many months, Richmond finally fell on April 2, 1865. Lee retreated. But his retreat was blocked by Sherman. Lee had no choice but to surrender.
End of the Civil War - 1865 On April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Grant s terms of surrender were generous. Confederate soldiers had to lay down their weapons. But they were allowed to keep their horses and were given three days of food. 12