Important Leaders in the Civil War

Abraham Lincoln Lincoln was president of the Union. Even though Lincoln was opposed to slavery, he had been willing to allow slavery where it already existed. After the war began, Lincoln realized that freeing slaves was the path to victory and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Ulysses S. Grant Grant was the commander of the Union Army. Grant led the Union to victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. Later Grant was able to capture Vicksburg. Grant was later elected as President of the United States.

William Tecumseh Sherman Sherman was a general in the Union army. Sherman led troops at the disastrous battle of Bull Run and lost command. Later Sherman regained command and led his troops to the capture of Atlanta. The Atlanta Campaign indicated the decline of the Confederacy. Then Sherman led his troops on a march from Atlanta to the sea cutting off Confederate supply lines.

Jefferson Davis Davis was elected as the president of the Confederacy. He was a dedicated supporter of the Southern position on slavery and wanted slavery to be extended into new states. Davis opposed secession and favored compromise, until the election of Lincoln.

Robert E. Lee Lee was the commander of the Confederate army. Lee was offered the command of the Northern Armies. Even though Lee did not support slavery, he felt that he had to defend his home state of Virginia.

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Jackson was appointed brigadier general of the Confederate Army. During the battle of Bull Run, Jackson had his men stand like a wall and fight Union forces, giving him the nickname “Stonewall”. Jackson had the unique ability to have his men cover many miles in a day, earning him great respect.

Role of Women Many women ran farms and business while their husbands fought. Some women disguised themselves as men so they could fight in the war while others became spies. Many worked as nurses and caregivers for injured soldiers. Clara Barton became known as “Angel of the Battlefield” as she cared for wounded soldiers.