The Union vs. The Confederacy
A Country at War
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
Confederate General
- Was known for his brilliant tactical abilities
and his talent on the battlefield
- Considered to be the most revered
Confederate General after General Lee
Battle of Bull Run/Manassas
July 21, 1861 - Virginia
Generals: Irwin McDowell vs. P.G.T Beauregard
- First major land battle of the Civil War.
Reason for Attack: Gen. McDowell is pressured by
Washington to gain a quick victory on Confederate
soil and to take pressure off of the U.S. Capital.
Strategically: McDowell wanted to take railroad leading
to Richmond.
Results:
1. “There stand Jackson like a stone wall”
2. Confederate Victory – Union is forced to retreat back to
Washington… Confederates don’t chase.
Outcomes:
1. It would not be a short war – Forget about 3 months.
2. Both armies needed to be properly trained
3. General McDowell is replaced by General McClellan
Creation of the Ironclad
•
•
Created in Europe in 1859.
Three Chief Characteristics
1. Metal/Iron Skinned Hull
2. Steam Propulsion
3. Main Armament of Guns capable of firing Explosive
Shells.
•
Confederacy needed to gain an advantage
In February 1862, The Confederacy
established the first U.S. Ironclad,
The Merrimack
The Monitor vs. The Merrimack
March 9, 1862
The Merrimack plans to destroy the naval
blockade at Hampton Roads, Virginia.
The Merrimack successfully destroys
three Union ships before the USS
Monitor comes to the rescue.
This was the first battle in maritime
history that two ironclad ships
waged war.
 The battle lasts for 4 ½ hours and ends with a
Merrimack retreat. Two days later the
Merrimack is ordered to be blown up.
Outcomes:
1. The Merrimack had prevented McClellan from using
the James River, the best route to Richmond.
2. The Monitor had prevented the Confederates hopes of
breaking the Union blockade.
"From the moment the two ships opened fire
that Sunday morning, every other navy on
earth was obsolete"
Technological Advances
1. Hot Air Balloons
2. New Weapons
3. Ironclads/Navy
4. Railroads
5. Telegraph
Hot Air Balloons
• The first balloon launch to spy on Confederate
positions took place in late July 1861.
• This was the first time in American history that
balloons were used for reconnaissance. Both
sides started to use this tactic.
• Telegraphs would even be hooked up to the
balloon in order to get instant information.
New Weapons
- Ager’s “Coffee Mill” Gun – Multi-cylinder, rapid
fire, Kind of a Machine Gun, but you crank it.
- Land Mines – Confederates started to use shells
in the ground that would trigger when stepped
on.
- Trench Warfare – By the end of the war, direct
assaults were suicidal. Armies started to dig in.
Ironclads/Navy
 Submarines:
- USA – 1862, the Union develops its first
submarine. A marvel of engineering, but a piece
of Junk.
- CSA – 1863, Confederates develop small
working subs capable of torpedo attacks. Most
famous called The Hunley.
Railroads
• The Railroad started to take off in the 1830s.
• By the start of the war: 22,000 miles for the Union
and 9,000 miles for the Confederacy.
• Wartime effect ?
- Could move large number of troops quickly
and efficiently.
- The ability to move supplies, especially food. Heavy
weapons were also transported.
Telegraph
 It was developed in 1837 by Samuel Morse.
Made it possible to communicate with someone by
wire using Morse Code.
 Civil War uses…
- First used to communicate to the
Capitals on both sides.
- By the middle and end of the war, it was used to
communicate for practically everything.
Women During The Civil War
Jobs women preformed during the war…
1. Nurse – Both sides weren’t prepared for the
onslaught of wounded. Jobs preformed: Cook and
feed, washing the soldiers, bandages, and medicate.
2. Spies – Burning desire to do something for “the
cause.” There job would usually be to gain
information, code it, and pass it to the North or South.
"It was better for the blood to rise to a ladies face rather than
have the blood of our boys flow on the ground.”
3. Vivandiere’s - Acceptable way for
women to serve in the army. They would
cook for the troops and carry the men
water and medicine during the battles.
4. Sanitary and Commission Workers Women who worked in different agencies
raising supplies for the troops and the
hospitals.
Important Women
-Clara Barton – Established an agency to
obtain and distribute supplies to wounded
soldiers. Followed the troops into battle.
-Elizabeth Van Lew (Crazy Bet) –
Considered one of the great female
spies of all time. She spied for the
Union.
Lew is a member of the Intelligence Hall of Fame
-Belle Boyd – She was a Confederate spy
who operated her uncle’s hotel in Virginia.
She provided Stonewall Jackson
and other confederates of troop
movements and supply trains.
-Harriet Tubman – She was an
abolitionist who helped Southern
slaves escape to the North. She
also became a Union nurse, a
scout, and was the first women to
lead an armed assault during the war.
The Battle of New Orleans
April 24–25, 1862
The Anaconda Plan at work – Gain control of
the Mississippi River.
• Admiral David Farragut enters the mouth of the
Mississippi River with a fleet of 43 ships and heads
towards New Orleans.
• Farragut faces a small resistance from two Forts –
Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip.
 Farragut anchored in front of New Orleans and
the city formally surrendered without a fight on
April 25.
 Outcome:
- The Confederacy lost its access to the
Atlantic Ocean through New Orleans.
- Only Vicksburg was keeping the Union from
controlling the entire Mississippi River.
th
54
Massachusetts Regiment
• One of the first official black units in the United States
armed forces.
• Their commander was Colonel Robert Shaw –
(White Officers had to be in charge of all
“colored” units)
Main Action:
- Skirmish with Confederate troops on James
Island, South Carolina.
- Assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston, S.C.
*Colonel Robert Shaw was killed during this battle.
Despite the failed assault on Fort Wagner, the 54th was widely acclaimed
for its valor and the event helped encourage further enlistment of AfricanAmerican troops
Review Questions
• What were hot air balloons used for?
• What kind of weapon did the Confederates
use during their retreats?
• What instrument made it possible to
communicate long distances?
• Name two things women did during the
Civil War.
• What African American woman became a
Union abolitionist, nurse, and scout?
The Battle of Shiloh
April 6 - 7, 1862 in Southwestern Tennessee
Generals: Ulysses S. Grant vs. Albert S. Johnston
 Confederates launch a surprise attack
against General Grants forces.
Why: ???
- Drive Grant away from Tennessee River
- Keep Grant from linking up with the Army of the
Ohio.
Outcome: Union Victory
- Bloodiest battle in U.S. history at this
point – Almost 24,000 were killed or wounded.
- General Johnston was killed in action.
Significance:
- The Union army now had a clear path to
the Mississippi River.
- “I can’t spare this man; he fights.”
Early Confederate Success
1862 – 1863 - Virginia
Peninsula Campaign – General George
McClellan planned to take the city of Richmond.
Problems: – McClellan moved up the Peninsula too slowly,
allowing Confederates to reinforce.
– Stonewall Jackson stayed in the Shenandoah
Valley preventing the Union from receiving reinforcements.
Outcome: Confederate victories
- Complete Union failure
- Leads to the 7 Days’ Battle
Review Questions
• The ___________ was a black regiment that
fought heroically at the Battle of Fort ________.
• What was the main reason for the Peninsula
Campaign?
• What General wins at Shiloh? Significance?
• Why was the New Orleans Port so Important?
• What other Union General do we meet for the
first time at the Battle of Shiloh?
Seven Days’ Battle
June 25 – July 1, 1862 - Virginia
Generals: George McClellan vs. Robert E. Lee and
Stonewall Jackson
Outcome: Confederate Victory
- A very costly victory – 20,000 Confederate
casualties and wounded
Significance:
a. General McClellan is forced to retreat down the
peninsula by Lee.
b. McClellan is replaced with General John Pope
2nd Battle of Bull Run/2nd
Battle of Manassas, Virginia
August 28, 1862
Generals: John Pope vs. Lee, Jackson,
Longstreet, J.E.B.Stuart
Reason for Attack:
Lee wants to go on the offensive.
Pope wants to protect Washington and keep
pressure off of McClellan. (Other Union Army)
Outcome: Confederate Victory
Significance:
Another Union defeat. This gives Lee
confidence and he becomes the Aggressor.
John Pope is replaced as commander by
Lincoln: McClellan becomes commander
of the Union forces again.
The Battle of September 17, 1862
Antietam/Sharpsburg, Maryland
Generals: George McClellan vs. Robert E. Lee
Reason for Attack:
 Lee wants to seek supplies and new recruits.
 The belief that European Aid could be gained if
the Confederacy wins a battle on Northern soil.
 Union finds Lee’s detailed Battle Plans.
Outcome: Union Victory
Significance:
a. Bloodiest single day in American history – over
23,000 combined casualties.
b. No European Aid to the South.
c. Lincoln fires McClellan because he could have
destroyed the Confederate forces but doesn’t.
d. Emancipation Proclamation is issued.
Emancipation Proclamation
Freeing someone from
the control of another
The formal act of proclaiming;
giving public notice
On September 22, 1862, Lincoln decides to
broaden the cause of the war by abolishing
slavery in the rebelling states.
Why Emancipate?
1. Punish the South Economically
2. North now had a dual purpose – Preserve the
Union and Abolish Slavery
3. Turned foreign popular opinion in favor of the
Union
4. Slaves helped in the Confederate war effort.
Battle of Fredericksburg,
Virginia December 13, 1862
Generals: Ambrose Burnside vs. Robert E. Lee
Reason for Attack: This is the last time to capture
Richmond before the winter.
Battle: Burnside orders 14 assaults on Lee’s
position. Fails each time – 12,000 Union
casualties.
Outcome: Confederate Victory
Significance:
a. Remembered as the most one-sided battle of
the Civil War. Failed to capture Richmond.
b. Burnside is replaced by Joseph “Fighting Joe”
Hooker.
“If there is a worse place than hell, I’m in it”
Battle of Chancellorsville,
May 2-3, 1863
Virginia
Generals: Joseph Hooker vs. Robert E. Lee and
Stonewall Jackson
Reason for Attack: Destroy the much smaller
army of the Confederacy. March to Richmond.
Battle: Jackson’s 14 mile flank march Confederates fight the Union army on two
Fronts.
Outcome: Confederate Victory
Significance:
a. Thomas Stonewall Jackson is accidentally killed by
his own men.
b. Gives Lee the courage to try an aggressive invasion
to the North. This will end up being Gettysburg.
c. Lincoln replaces Hooker with General George
Meade.
Civil War Photography
Daguerreotype – Early type of photography,
which was used throughout the Civil War.
- The image was exposed directly onto a
mirror-polished surface of silver.
- Quicker exposure time made it possible to
take pictures on the battlefield.
Two Famous War Photographers
Matthew Brady: He started as a war
photographer, at the First Battle of Bull Run.
- Brady shocked the public with his gallery
entitled, “The Dead of Antietam.”
Alexander Gardner: Famous war
photographer, who only recently
has received fame.
- Lincoln’s favorite photographer.
Events Leading Up To Gettysburg
• Robert E. Lee believes that his army is
invincible, because of what two battles?
• What was Lee’s most significant loss at the
Battle of Chancellorsville?
• Can you predict how this may affect the
Confederate Army?
• Lee moves across the Potomac River into
Pennsylvania, why?
• If you were the commander of the Union forces,
what would you have to do?
Battle of Gettysburg
Day 1: July 1, 1863
The Battle of Gettysburg began over a
supply of Shoes!
 The North came from the south and the
Confederates came from the north.
 Small skirmish, turns into a serious situation.
Reinforcements were called in on both
sides.
 Lee arrives in town by noon and orders his
troops to clear the city.
By mid afternoon the Confederates
controlled the town of Gettysburg.
 The Union forces are pushed back to the south of
the town, but gains strong positions on Culp’s Hill,
the Round Tops, and Cemetery Ridge.
 Significance: By the end of the day, the Union held
the High ground.
Day 2 : July 2, 1863
• Throughout the night, armies continued to
receive reinforcements.
• Lee’s main plan is to take Culp’s Hill and the
Roundtops.
• The men on Culp’s Hill hold the high ground
and Chamberlain holds the Roundtops.
• Despite not winning the high points, Lee
announced that the day was a
Confederate victory
• Most Importantly – The Union was still able to
hold the high ground!
Day 3: July 3, 1863
Lee felt that his Army of Virginia was invincible.
Despite Longstreet's warnings, Lee continued
with his attack.
First Plan?
Lee had to change his battle plan and adapted
a frontal assault strategy on Cemetery Ridge.
Lee picks General George Pickett to lead the
charge.
Before the charge, the Confederate artillery
focused all of their fire on the middle of the
Union line. 150 Confederate guns.
The Confederates had to march 1 ½ miles to
the Union position.
The Confederates only had one opportunity to
breach the Union line, at The Angle, but
failed, do to Union reinforcements.
Overall, the charge failed = 6,500 casualties
 On July 4th, Lee’s army is forced to retreat.
 General Meade did not pursue Lee – Could
have ended the war.
Significance of Gettysburg?
1. Lee will never go North again… He is back to
having a defensive war strategy.
2. First time that Lee had been clearly defeated
by a Union army – Not invincible.
3. Considered the turning point of the Civil War –
The start of many Union victories.
Work Cited
• http://www.patrickobrienstudio.com/maritime%20art/paint
ings/assets/Duel%20of%20the%20Ironclads.jpg
• http://www.wpclipart.com/American_History/civil_war/iro
nclads_1862.png
• http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/history/IMAGES/ironclad.
gif
• http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/mapcom/imag
es/va.gif
• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/New_
orleans_1862.jpg/270px-New_orleans_1862.jpg
• http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civilwar/1861/october/new-orleans.jpg