Key Battles of the Civil War Grade 8 Social Studies

Southern Victories Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia seemed unbeatable during the winter of 1862 – 1863. He was a superior strategists, seemingly unmatched by Union generals. The South defeated the North at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Lee defeated Union General Ambrose Burnside.

Fredericksburg Burnside had more men in his army, but the Southerners were entrenched. What does entrenched mean?

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg So ashamed from the loss, Ambrose Burnside resigned his position. General Joseph Hooker took the command of Burnside’s army. As Hooker looked to rebuild the army and defeat Lee down the road, Lee looked to mount an attack on Hooker.

Chancellorsville In Virginia (as was Fredericksburg), and just a few miles from Fredericksburg. Lee tactic was to divide his army. This is truly unorthodox. There is a phrase often used in battle, divide and conquer.

Chancellorsville

Chancellorsville

Chancellorsville Early in 1863, Lincoln again changed generals, placing the Army of the Potomac's military machine under Joseph Hooker. Hooker believed he could trap Lee by attacking him simultaneously from several directions. Facing a Union force double his size at a crossroads called Chancellorsville, west of Fredericksburg, Lee again precariously divided his army. Over the course of the fighting, which lasted from May 1 until May 6 and included another Union charge up Marye's Heights, Lee was able to squeeze the Union forces from two directions and then reunite his troops. The Confederates captured the most favorable artillery positions, launched a devastating barrage, then pressed the attack until Hooker had to pull back. Through surprise and daring, Lee had turned a vulnerable defensive position into a brilliant tactical offense. – NYT, click here for link

Chancellorsville Even the Union prisoners cheered when Lee rode in front of his troops in this moment of triumph. Yet in many ways it was an empty victory. More than 20 percent of his soldiers lay on the gory fields, or were maimed or missing. Stonewall Jackson, wounded accidentally by his own men, died on May 10. Lee himself complained that "our loss was severe, and again we had gained not an inch of ground and the enemy could not be pursued.” NYT – see link from previous page

Chancellorsville

Turning Point of the War Despite heavy loses and the loss of perhaps his best general, Stonewall Jackson, Lee decided to invade the North. The hope was if the South could win a couple battles in the North, it might be enough to get help from Britain and France, something they desperately needed.

Gettysburg Lee began moving North with 75,000 troops. Hooker wanted to advance on Richmond, but Lincoln told him to double-back and chase down Lee. Hooker, not happy with the decision, was replaced by General George Meade. What Lee knew about Meade. Meade’s mission was to find, fight and destroy Lee’s army.

Gettysburg Meeting in Gettysburg was by accident. The battle began on July 1st, 1863. 3-day battle of Gettysburg began with a surprise cavalry attack which surprised Rebel infantry, raiding the town for shoes. The North fought desperately to hold town, but were pushed to Cemetery Hill, which was a line of hills south of Gettysburg.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg Address Gettyburg Address, by Johnny Cash What was Lincoln’s message?

Vicksburg May 18 – July 4, 1863 Vicksburg, MS, stood on a high bluff above the Mississippi River. Control of the Mississippi was at stake here. Gaining control of the Miss. River was a major goal of the Union. The Union General in charge, Ulysses S. Grant

Vicksburg

Gettysburg and Vicksburg Winning these battles on consecutive days was truly the turning point of the war. With a partner, discuss why this was the turning point? Despite the great loses at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the South and her people would muster up enough courage to fight for two more bloody years.

Sherman The metaphor Sherman through Atlanta is similar to knife through melted butter. Sherman ransacking Atlanta and really deflating the moral of the South. His attack in Georgia was all part of a larger plan designed by Grant to attack the Confederates on all fronts. The Army of the Potomac would advance to crush Lee and the Army of Virginia

Sherman in Atlanta Sherman burning Atlanta