Western Theatre

Strategy Union: Winfield Scott’s three part Anaconda Plan (Stop supplies, divide and conquer) 1. Union naval blockade of the South 2. Gain control of the Mississippi River (cut South in half) 3. Take the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA

Strategy Confederacy: Defensive war Hold on and let Union tire of war Win support of Europe (Europe needs Southern cotton)

War in the West Goal: Control the Mississippi River General Ulysses S. Grant led Union forces in the West Union needed to take all the rivers connected to the Mississippi river to control it.

War in Tennessee Tennessee was torn on secession East Tennessee was pro-Union (only few slaves), but turned when Lincoln asked for troops Cumberland and Tennessee rivers were targeted by the Union Fort Henry and Fort Donelson are both taken by Union forces Grant accepted only “unconditional surrender” Opened Tennessee Became a hero to the Union for his aggressive tactics

Discussion How did Tennessee feel about secession? What was the major goal of the Union in the West? What problems may occur for the Confederacy if the Union achieves its goal in the West?

Battle of Shiloh Grant continued down the Tennessee river near Corinth, Mississippi (a major RR junction) The Confederates attempted a surprise attack on the Union Grant was able to get a victory even with losing more soldiers than the Confederates Grant sacrificed men to win (Questioned by Congress) Effects: Enormous losses on both sides Union victory opened up much of the Upper South’s rivers

Union takes New Orleans Shiloh allowed the Union to capture the South’s most important port city, New Orleans Admiral David Farragut and Union naval forces were able to capture the city The loss of New Orleans meant the South no longer could use the Mississippi river.

Reflection Why was the Union’s strategy to take the rivers so important?