THE CIVIL WAR 1860-1865

The Civil War The war begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter on April 12,1861. Both sides called for volunteers to fight. The flood of volunteers over whelmed both governments. Both governments lost the services of volunteers for lack of supplies.

Raising Troops The South adopted a draft law in April of 1862. Only 20% to 30% of Confederate soldiers were drafted, the rest volunteered. The Union passed a draft law in March of 1863. It only applied in states that failed to produce their share of volunteers. It provided only 10% of the Union soldiers

Opposition to the War Both sides had opposition to the war. In the North the “Copperheads “ thought the South should be allowed to secede. In the South a peace movement favored an end to talk of secession. Some states refused to send troops.

Advantages and Disadvantages Northern Advantages The North had more than twice the population to get soldiers. The North had better roads, canals, and rail lines. Its numerous factories produced weapons and supplies for war. Established government to raise money for the war through taxes, tariffs. The federal government could also borrow money and print paper money.

Advantages and Disadvantages Northern Disadvantages The North needed to attack the South and force its defenders to surrender. The North needed a larger army, and more powerful weapons. Lincoln had trouble finding a general with the ability to strike decisively against the South.

Advantages And Disadvantages Southern Disadvantages The South had a smaller population to draw troops . The South had trouble raising money and supplies. The South had no tariffs or taxes. They had a few banks and little paper money. For these reasons the South had trouble getting weapons and supplies.

Advantages and Disadvantages Southern Advantages The South was defending their homeland and way of life. They were better trained in use of weapons and horses. The South had a strong military tradition (Robert E. Lee, P.T.G. Beaureguard, Stonewall Jackson).

July 1861 – Bull Run/Manassas. Early Battles Both sides believed that the war would be over very quickly. 1st Major Battle July 1861 – Bull Run/Manassas. The Union troops marching to capture Richmond met a large Southern force. The South wins the battle.

Other Early Battles April 1862 Battle of Shiloh –North wins. June 1862 Seven Days Battle near Richmond- South wins. August 1862 2nd Battle of Bull Run/Manassas-South wins. September 1862 Battle of Antietam-North wins. October 1862 Battle of Perryville-North wins.

The Four Phases of the War The North attacks the Confederate Border States and sets up a naval blockade around the South. 2. General Lee’s Confederate forces marched into Maryland, fought their way close to Washington D.C. 3. The Union army captures key ports along the Mississippi River, dividing the Confederacy. 4. The Union Army swept through the war weary Confederate States.

In the first 2 years of the war the South won most battles in the East and the North won most battles in the West

Turning Point of the War The Battle of Antietam Antietam was the battle that allowed Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation (9-22-1862). This proclamation freed all slaves in the Confederate states. Lincoln’s stand on the slave question and the slight Union edge at Antietam convinced Britain not to recognize the Confederacy.

African American during the Civil War

As the war moved into its third phase, greater numbers of soldiers and supplies began to tip the scales in favor of the Union. But the South refused to give up.

The Union army won two major battles in July of 1863 The Victory at Vicksburg March-July 1863- After a four month siege General Grant finally captures Vicksburg. This victory gave the Union the control of the Mississippi River, cutting the lifeline of the western Confederate states to the eastern confederate states.

Battle of Gettysburg Union General Meade defeats General Robert E. Lee. This battle took place from July 1st through July 3rd of 1863. This battle ended the Confederate threats to Washington D.C. and the North.

William Tecumseh Sherman

After the battle of Gettysburg, the war enters its final stage After the battle of Gettysburg, the war enters its final stage. The Union army severed the key Confederate supply line at Chattanooga ,Tennessee.

Sherman’s March to the Sea General William Tecumseh Sherman swept into the southeastern states, destroying everything in its path. The reason for this destruction was to destroy anything the Confederates could use to continue the war.

Ulysses S. Grant & Robert E. Lee

Grant takes Command General Ulysses S. Grant led the Army of the Potomac against Robert E. Lee’s Northern Army of Virginia near Richmond, Virginia. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Finally, outnumbered, outgunned, and without food and other essentials, Lee surrenders. On April 9,1865 Lee formally surrenders to Grant at a farmhouse near Appomattox Court house.

THE WAR IS OVER !!!

At Lee’s request Grant let the soldiers keep their horses and mules so they could begin farming again when they returned home.

Lincoln’s Assassination On the evening of April 14th,1865 Lincoln goes to the Ford’s Theatre with Mrs. Lincoln. During the third act, actor John Wilkes Booth slips into the Presidential box, and at close range shoots Lincoln in the back of the head.

Lincolns Box at Fords Theatre

Lincoln ‘s casket at the White House Lincoln is in the casket but it is very hard to see his body. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, had these pictures taken , but later destroyed all of them. ( This photo did survive)

Another picture of Lincoln’s casket

Lincolns Gloves These are the gloves Lincoln was wearing when he was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre.