The Turning Point of the Civil War Chapter 11 section 4 The Turning Point of the Civil War

1863 is a brutal year in the war; lots of major battles. Review of 1862: Farragut had captured New Orleans Lower Mississippi River is in Union control Union victory at Shiloh means they have control as far south as Memphis Want to capture Vicksburg, MS to complete splitting the Confederacy. Was the last major Confederate stronghold needed

Grant first tries to approach Vicksburg from the North (too swampy) Wants to approach from the south, but has to go east first and then cut back west across and then come up from the south. To do all this manouvering without the Confederacy finding out, he creates a diversion… Grierson’s Raid 1,700 cavalry troops 600 miles Destroy railroads, fight skirmishes, burn train depots Is successful; Gen. Grant is able to put his troops in position south of Vicksburg

Grant’s troops march across Mississippi, capturing Jackson and foraging as they go Traveled 150 miles in 17 days and fought 5 battles along the way Reaches Vicksburg in May 1863 and attacks the city twice, but fails. Decides that a siege is the only way he will be able to take the city Siege: cut off the food and supplies that can enter and wear down the enemy until they are forced to surrender. Lasts from May-July Confederates surrender on July 4, 1863 The Confederacy has now been cut in half Siege of Vicksburg

Back in the east, Lincoln is getting frustrated with McClellan: Didn’t move fast enough after Antietam Lee was able to regroup and prevent McClellan from attacking Richmond Lincoln decides to fire him and replace him with Gen. Ambrose Burnside The Road to Gettysburg

Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville The new General Burnside orders his troops to attack Lee’s troops south of fredericksburg, Virginia. Union suffers high casualties (12,000+) This was more than twice that of the Confederates Lincoln gets complaints from the other generals and decides to replace Burnside with General Joseph Hooker Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville

Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville continued Gen. Hooker decides to split his troops and leaves some at Fredericksburg to block Lee’s troops but takes some west Plans to move behind Lee’s lines and attack his forces from the rear. Lee finds out and attacks Hooker’s troops near Chancellorsville, VA Another Union loss as Hooker decides to retreat. Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville continued

Battle of Gettysburg Lee wants to invade the Union again Decides to move into Pennsylvania, foraging and taking supplies along the way Hooker and his men can’t stop Lee’s advance, so Lincoln fires him. Appoints Gen. George Meade as Hooker’s replacement. Meade takes over and immediately heads north to stop Lee’s progress across Pennsylvania. Battle of Gettysburg

During June 1863, Lee and his troops had been marching across Pennsylvania and foraging as they went. As they move into Gettysburg, PA, they encounter Union troops and the Confederates push the Union troops out, taking over the town. The next day, lee attacked the Union forces, who held their ground. On the next day, Lee ordered 15,000 troops led by George Pickett to attack the Union troops. Known as Pickett’s Charge In about 30 minutes, 7,000 Confederate soldiers are killed. Gettysburg continued

Gettysburg continued Fighting continues Fewer than 5,000 Confederate troops survive The Union suffers 23,000 casualties and the South 28,000. Lee rallies his troops and withdrew, retreating to Virginia. This battle becomes a turning point in the war. Britain decides to NOT recognize the South’s independence Lee’s army is on the defensive for the rest of the war Union victory strengthens the president politically and gives the Republicans more power in Congress Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address Gettysburg continued

A few months after the battle, Lincoln travels to Gettysburg to dedicate it as a national cematery Gives a speech while he’s there that becomes one of the most famous in American history Makes the point that the nation was “conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” “that these men shall not have died in vain…that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” See p. 1072 Gettysburg Address

Grant Secures Tennessee Union wants to capture Chattanooga, TN so it has control of a key railroad line from there to Atlanta, GA Leads to the Battle of Chattanooga Lincoln had reorganized the military and made General Grant the commander over all the Union forces in the West Union forces attacked and defeated the Confederates at the Battle of Lookout Mountain Grant made general in chief of the entire Union Army in recognition for the key victories at Vicksburg & Chattanooga Grant Secures Tennessee