The Furnace of
Civil War
1861-1865
The American Pageant
Chapter 22
End of “90-Day War”
 Lincoln expected call-up of 75,000 troops to be only 90 days.
 Lincoln ordered attack on Confederates at Bull Run, expected quick victory, pos-sible
exposure of Richmond.
End of “90-Day War” (2)
 July 21, 1861: Union attacks, initially successful, but forced back by “Stonewall”
Jackson, then panicked.
 Effects: (1) Many in South thought war over, went home or failed to enlist.
End of “90-Day War” (3)
 (2): North began to take war seriously.
“Tardy” McClellan
 Late 1861: George McClellan (34) given command of “Army of the Potomac.”
 McClellan was a perfectionist, did not want to lose men, believed he was
outnumbered.
 Result: failed to attack.
“Tardy” McClellan (2)
 Lincoln lost patience, ordered him to advance.
 McClellan decided to attack Richmond via water, dubbed “Peninsula Campaign.”
 Approached Richmond, but Lincoln pulled reinforcements.
“Tardy” McClellan (3)
 June, 1862: Lee counter-attacks, in Seven Days’ Battles drove McClellan back to sea,
though lost 20,000.
 Lincoln removes McClellan as commander temporarily.
 Effect: no easy way for South back to union, slavery at risk.
“Tardy” McClellan (4)
New “total war” plan for Union:
1. Blockade
2. Liberate slaves to undermine economy.
3. Cut South in half by seizing Mississippi.
“Tardy” McClellan (5)
New “total war” plan for Union:
4.
5.
6.
Separate South through Georgia & Carolinas.
Decapitate South by capturing Richmond.
Engage enemy’s strength and subdue it.
The War at Sea



Blockade leaky, but could at least concentrate on key ports.
London respected blockade as precedent for own interests.
Blockade-running was highly profitable if successful: went to South with arms from
England, return with cotton.
The War at Sea (2)
 Northern navy high-handed: would seize British ships headed for Nassau, other ports
b/c goods were obviously headed for South.
 London did not object: thought it may also use practice in the future.
The War at Sea (3)
 1862: Biggest threat to blockade was ironclad Virginia (Merrimack).
 Destroyed two wooden Union ships in Chesapeake Bay, frightened Union.
 Union hastily built Monitor, two ships fought to standstill.
Pivotal Point: Antietam
 Aug. 1862: Lee advances north, defeats Gen. Pope at 2nd Battle of Bull Run.
 Lee advanced into MD, hoping they would join South.
 Lincoln quickly restored McClellan’s command.
Pivotal Point: Antietam (2)
 2 Union soldiers found a copy of Lee’s battle plan, McClellan stopped Lee on Sept.
17, 1862 at bloody battle of Antietam.
 Lee fell back across Potomac, McClellan fired again for not pursuing enemy.
Pivotal Point: Antietam (2)
Most decisive battle of war:
 (1) British & French on verge of diplomatic intervention, possible military help.
 (2) Provided “victory” that Lincoln needed for Emancipation Proclamation.
Pivotal Point: Antietam (3)
 Jan 1., 1863: Lincoln issues proclamation, war was more of a moral crusade.
The war
will “be one of subjuga-tion…The [old] South is to be destroyed and replaced by new
propositions and ideas.”
Without Emancipation
 Proclamation said slaves “forever free” in rebellious states only.
 Lincoln not willing to alienate border states.
 Yet word got out, some slaves fled to advancing Union army.
Without Emancipation (2)
 Lincoln’s goal was not only to free slaves, but to strengthen moral cause of Union.
 Foreshadowed ultimate doom of slavery: ratification of 13th Amendment in 1865.
 Removed chance of negotiated settlement of war.
Without Emancipation (3)
 Public reaction split, deser-tions up sharply, especially among those from Border
States.
 1862: Mid-term election went heavily against Lincoln.
 European reaction split be-tween aristocrats, commoners.
Blacks Battle Bondage
 Initially, War Dept. refused to accept black volunteers, though navy used them in
supporting roles.
 But emancipation & need resulted in black enlistment – 180,000 by end of war, most
from slave states.
Blacks Battle Bondage (2)
 Blacks participated in about 500 engagements, won 22 Congressional Medals of
Honor, 38,000 died.
 When captured by South, black soldiers were often put to death as slaves in revolt,
e.g. Fort Pillow, TN.
Blacks Battle Bondage (3)
 South would not enlist blacks until too late – a month before end of war.
 However, many had been forced into support roles.
 Were the “stomach of the Confederacy” - kept farms running.
Blacks Battle Bondage (4)
 Most Southern slaves did little to aid North.
A moderate revolt could have ended
war.
 But many did abandon plantations when Union armies approached, some joined
Sherman’s march.
Lee’s Last Lunge
 After Antietam, Lincoln replaced McClellan with Burnside.
 Dec. 1862: Burnside led rash frontal assault on Lee at Fredericksburg, VA – 10,000
Union casualties.
Lee’s Last Lunge (2)
 Burnside replaced with Hooker.
 May, 1863: Hooker defeated at Chancellorsville, VA by brilliant leadership of Lee,
Jackson. (Jackson accidentally killed by own men.)
Lee’s Last Lunge (3)
 Lee prepared to invade North through PA to bring them to peace, encourage foreign
intervention.
 Meade replaced Hooker.
 Meade set up defenses on ridge near Gettysburg, PA.
Lee’s Last Lunge (4)
 July 1-3, 1863: 3 days of fighting, including Pickett’s charge, broke Confederates,
sealed fate of South.
 Later Lincoln dedicated cemetery with Gettysburg address, attracted little attention at
time.
The War in the West
 U.S. Grant, general in western theater, had undistinguished military/business career.
 However, his qualities of boldness, resourcefulness and tenacity led to his quick
climb.
The War in the West (2)
 Grant’s first victory: Forts Henry & Donelson on TN & Cumberland R., Feb. 1862.
(“unconditional surrender”)
 Victory kept KY in Union, exposed heart of South.
 April, 1862: slowed at Shiloh.
The War in the West (3)
 Lincoln resisted demands for removal of Grant b/c “he fights.”
 July, 1863: victories at Vicksburg, Port Hudson, together with Farragut attack on
New Orleans, took control of Miss. R. away from South.
The War in the West (4)
Result of victories on Miss.:
 Control of Miss. calmed Butternut region due to reopening of trade down river.
 England stopped delivery of Laird rams, France ended deal to sell naval vessels to
South.
Sherman Scorches GA
 Grant’s victory at Chattanooga cleared way for Sherman’s invasion of GA.
 Sherman burned Atlanta in Sept., 1864, left supply camp and cut 60-mile wide path
of destruction to sea (Savannah).
Sherman Scorches GA (2)
 Purpose: destroy supplies and weaken morale of men on front by destroying their
homes.
 Pioneer of “total war.”
 Turned north to SC to punish “hell-hole of secession.”
Politics of War
 1864 election: Lincoln criticized by own party – Treas. Sec. Chase, “radical”
Republican in Congress.
 Criticized for exercise of presidential powers, perceived weakness on emancipation.
Politics of War (2)
 Northern Democrats, w/out leaders like Douglas, split into “War” and “Peace” Dems.
 War Democrats supported Lincoln.
 Peace Dems (“Copperheads”) attacked draft, Lincoln.
Politics of War (3)
 Ohio Congressman C.L. Vallandingham caused trouble, demanded end to war.
 1863: Convicted by military tribunal for treasonable utterances, sentenced to prison.
Election of 1864
 Afraid of defeat, Republicans and War Dems formed Union party, nominated
Lincoln.
 War Dem Andrew Johnson (TN) was running mate to attract voters from border
states.
Election of 1864 (2)
 Dems nominate McClellan, Copperheads attempted to force platform to denounce
war as failure, but McClellan would not allow it.
 Campaign: “Don’t swap horses midstream.”
Election of 1864 (3)
 Initially with war going poorly, reelection in doubt.
 Farragut & Sherman victories changed perception of war.
 Extra efforts made to be sure Union soldiers allowed to vote (for Lincoln, of course).
Election of 1864 (4)
 Though McClellan gets 45% of vote, Lincoln wins.
 Lincoln defeat was last hope for South, after reelection, Southern desertions
increased.
Grant Outlasts Lee
 After Gettysburg, Grant brought from west over Meade.
 Grant’s strategy: attack enemy’s armies simultaneous-ly so they cannot assist each
other.
Grant Outlasts Lee (2)
 May/June 1864: Grant advances toward Richmond in VA Wilderness Campaign,
suffered 50,000 casualties.
 Critics decried Grant’s butchery, but Grant knew he could lose men 2:1, still win.
Grant Outlasts Lee (3)
 Feb. 1865: Nearing defeat, South attempt to negotiate peace between “2 countries.”
 Lincoln would not accept less than Union and emancipation, South demanded
freedom: no peace.
Grant Outlasts Lee (4)
 April, 1865: Union troops captured Richmond, cornered Lee at Appomattox.
 Grant gave generous terms of surrender: “The war is over; the rebels are our
countrymen again.”
Martyrdom of Lincoln
 5 days after surrender, pro-Southern actor John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in Ford’s
Theater.
 Lincoln died following morning.
Martyrdom of Lincoln (2)
 Assassination was timed perfectly to grant Lincoln martyrdom status: at height of
fame, silenced critics.
 Some Southern soldiers, civilians & even Northern Copperhead initially cheered.
Martyrdom of Lincoln (3)
 Eventually, Southerners realized that Lincoln would have protected them from wrath
of Congressional Republicans.
 Crucifixion theory: If Lincoln had lived, would have suffered same fate as Johnson.
Martyrdom of Lincoln (4)
 Theory doubtful: Lincoln’s war leadership, reasonable-ness, common sense would
have produced much different result than Johnson’s hot temper.
Aftermath of Nightmare
 600,000 deaths, over 1M casualties altogether.
 Nation lost potential leadership, babies unborn due to fathers at front.
 War cost $15B + continual expenses, e.g. interest.
Aftermath of Nightmare (2)
 States’ righters crushed, along with nullification & secession.
 Question posed at Gettysburg, ‘can nation dedicated to democratic principles
endure?’ answered positively.
Aftermath of Nightmare (3)
 Victory for Union/democracy encouraged democrats world over, e.g. 1867 English
Reform Bill made England true political democracy.
 Nation unified, but would remain morally split for years to come.