The terrible conflict Unit 13

Key battles Ft. Sumter (April 12-13, 1861): Confederate forces attacked a federal installation, thus starting the war. First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861): failed Union attempt to end the war early by invading the South and winning decisive victories. Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862): key victory for the Union in the western theatre; established U.S. Grant as a key figure in the war. April 25-May 1, 1862): Union forces successfully captured and occupied New Orleans, drastically diminishing the Confederacy’s ability to resupply and move troops along the Mississippi River. Seven Days’ Battle (June 25-July 1, 1862): McClellan unsuccessfully attempted capture Richmond and end the war early. Antietam (September 17, 1862): Lee’s failed attempt to invade the North; bloodiest single-day battle of the war (approx. 23,000 casualties). Chancellorsville (May 2-4, 1863): pyrrhic victory for the Confederacy; “Stonewall” Jackson was mistakenly fatally wounded by friendly fire, a loss that Lee referred to as “losing my right arm.” Vicksburg (May 22-July 4, 1863): Union victory that led to total control of the Mississippi River. Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863): Union victory considered the turning point of the war; bloodiest battle of the civil war (over 50,000 casualties). Sherman’s March to the Sea (May 7-December 2, 1864): William Sherman led Union forces from Tennessee in sweeping destruction through Atlanta to Savanah, GA, then toward north towards Columbia, SC, and Petersburg, NC. Petersburg (June 15, 1864-April 2, 1865): Union victory at Petersburg cut off supplies to Richmond (capital of the Confederacy); Lee surren1dered the army of Virginia a week later.

1862 Western Theatre Shiloh: U.S. Grant successfully defeated Confederate troops in the hopes of gaining control of Corinth, MS, and Chattanooga, TN, thus disrupting Confederate supply lines (railroads). Battle of New Orleans: Union forces successfully captured and occupied New Orleans, thus disrupting the ability of the Confederacy to use the Mississippi River to supply the army. Battle of Stones River: Union forces, under William Rosecrans, successfully defeated advancing Confederate troops and continued pressing towards Chattanooga, TN. Eastern Theatre Virginia played an important role in the war, considering the two capitals (Richmond and Washington) were less than 100 miles apart. First Battle of Bull Run: Union forces, under the leadership of Irvin McDowell, unsuccessfully invaded the South in the hopes of ending the war early. Seven Days’ Battle: George McClellan replaced Irvin McDowell; unsuccessfully attempted to capture Richmond. Antietam: McClellan, given command again of the army, was defeated as Lee attempted to invade the North, though he ultimately at Fredericksburg.

Emancipation Proclamation 1863 Emancipation Proclamation Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862 (went into effect January 1, 1863). Freed all slaves in the rebellion states. Confederate states could rejoin the Union and keep the institution of slavery. Slavery was maintained in some Union states (Maryland, Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware). Increased African-American enlistment into the Union army. Abolitionists in western Virginia splintered off and formed a new state (West Virginia) that became part of the Union in June of 1863. Declared the war to be an internal moral conflict, not one between two warring nations. This would serve to prevent nations like Britain and France joining on the side of the Confederacy. Slavery wasn’t abolished until the 13th Amendment was passed in December, 1865. Chancellorsville (May 2-4, 1863): pyrrhic victory for the Confederacy; “Stonewall” Jackson was mistakenly fatally wounded by friendly fire, a loss that Lee referred to as “losing my right arm.” Vicksburg (May 22-July 4, 1863): Union victory under U.S. Grant that led to total control of the Mississippi River. Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863): Union victory considered the turning point of the war; Lee’s failed attempt to invade the North and reinvigorate Confederate soldiers and ideals; bloodiest battle of the civil war (over 50,000 casualties).

1864 - 1865 1864 Presidential Election: Abraham Lincoln wins a second term; runs with Andrew Johnson (D) from Tennessee. Union victories in Atlanta and Mobile Bay helped Lincoln win election. Sherman’s March to the Sea (May 7-December 2, 1864): William Sherman led Union forces from Tennessee in sweeping destruction through Atlanta to Savanah, GA, then toward north towards Columbia, SC, and Petersburg, NC. Petersburg (June 15, 1864-April 2, 1865): Union victory at Petersburg cut off supplies to Richmond (capital of the Confederacy); Lee surren1dered the army of Virginia a week later. 1865 Appomattox Court House (April 9): Lee surrendered Virginian forces to Grant. North Carolina, under the command of Joseph Johnston, surrendered later in April. The Confederate government dissolved and Jefferson Davis himself was captured on May 10. Reconstruction Plan (10% Plan): 10% of voters had to swear oath of allegiance to the nation prior to state being readmitted to the Union. High ranking Confederate generals and politicians were prohibited from taking part in new governments. Slavery was not protected.

Lincoln’s Assassination April 14, 1865: Lincoln attended the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. John Wilkes Booth: actor and Confederate sympathizer; shot Lincoln in the back of the head in his private box; shouted “sic semper tyrannis” (thus always to tyrants) as he fled; Booth was killed by Union troops on April 26. Other members of this conspiracy were also arrested and executed. Dr. Samuel Mudd: treated Booth as he broke his leg during the escape; was arrested and convicted for aiding and abetting Booth (he was later exonerated). The phrase “his name is Mudd” came forth from this scenario, describing the lowliness of a person regardless of guilt.

Costs of the conflict New York Riots (July 1863): immigrants primarily attacked African Americans, blaming them for the cause of the war. Women: took on the roles of men during the war (factory workers, plantation operators, school teachers, nurses, etc). Dorothea Dix: first Superintendent of Women Nurses. Clara Barton: field hospital nurse. Sally Tompkins: ran a Confederate hospital. 1865 Appomattox Court House (April 9): Lee surrendered Virginian forces to Grant. North Carolina, under the command of Joseph Johnston, surrendered later in April. The Confederate government dissolved and Jefferson Davis himself was captured on May 10. Reconstruction Plan (10% Plan): 10% of voters had to swear oath of allegiance to the nation prior to state being readmitted to the Union. High ranking Confederate generals and politicians were prohibited from taking part in new governments. Slavery was not protected.