17.3 Controlling the Waters Pgs. 342-245

Controlling the Waters 2 goals the Union forces involved shutting off the South’s major transportation links. The North achieved this with great leadership. Controlling the Waters

The Union Blockade On April 17, 1861, right after the fall of Fort Sumter, the Confederacy permitted private ships to try and capture Union ships. 2 days later, Lincoln ordered a naval blockade of the southern coast from South Carolina around the Mexican border. Later he extended it northward to the Potomac River.

The Union Blockade However, due to a ship shortage, they struggled. But the Secretary of the Navy began a giant ship-buying program, purchasing almost every ship that was able to be armed. The North concentrated on 10 major southern ports, each of which had inland connections by rail or river.

The Union Blockade The South tried to overcome the blockade runners. These ships were able to move fast through the shallow waters. They were painted gray to blend in with the sea. Most of them were steam powered.

The Union Blockade They could outrun any Union Vessel because they ran on coal. The easiest ports for these runners were ports with one multiple outlets. These runners were usually loaded with cotton and would sail toward the British held Bahamas. The Confederacy would hire British ships to help them in their cause. $5,000 in gold on one round trip.

The Union Blockade The Confederates made over 8500 successful trip through the blockade. In 1861, the chances of getting through the blockade were high. However, the Union became capturing ports and putting on the pressure. In 1865, the Confederates had 35 runners hold $15 million worth in supplies, but had no port to go to.

The Union Blockade The blockade took a toll on the Confederacy. In 3 years they went from exporting 10 million bales of cotton to 1 million bales of cotton. The Confederacy was running out of money. Their foreign products became unattainable. 2/3 decrease in trade.

The Union Blockade While the was was won on the battle field but the blockade drained the Confederacy.

Taking the Mississippi The war in the west centered on the Union’s goal of controlling the Mississippi River. With control, they could separate Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana from resources. Instrumental in these efforts was Union officer Ulysses S. Grant.

Gaining the Upper Mississippi Grant had once given up at being a soldier, and failed at being a farmer and a business-man. He rejoined the Union army in Illinois. He believed the key to the west was controlling the rivers. He and his troops went down the Tennessee border and captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.

Gaining the Upper Mississippi These forts had defended the key waterways. Capturing these forts and capturing Corinth meant the Union had control of the Upper Mississippi River.

Gaining the Lower Mississippi Next the goal for the Union was to prevent the Confederates from using the lower Mississippi River. Confederate forts guarded the river. The Confederacy had also stretched chains across the Mississippi river. The chains would be lifted to allow confederate ships to pass and then lowered to stop other ships.

Gaining the Lower Mississippi David Glasgow Farragut devised a plan that would take New Orleans. He decided to bypass the forts and head straight to New Orleans. Under the cover of night, they unhooked the chains and his ships got through.

Gaining the Lower Mississippi New Orleans fell 2 days later. The Union navy then began moving up the river, occupying cities such as Baton Rouge and parts of Mississippi. By July 18 63 the union had one control of the entire Mississippi river, except for a small area around Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Vicksburg Complete control of the Mississippi was stopped because the Confederacy held Vicksburg. Vicksburg was built on high ridges overlooking the river. Six times the Confederacy had stopped the Union from taking the city. General Grant sought a new angle of attack.

Vicksburg He designed a strategy that broke his army away from its own supply line. Grant announced his forces “would carry what rations of hard bread, coffee, and sort we can, and make the country furnish the balance.”

Vicksburg In a moved that shocked the south, Grant moved east to cut confederate rail access to Vicksburg. The Confederacy then tried to cut off the union supply, only to find that Grant had none left.

Vicksburg When they returned to Vicksburg they were caught in a trap without an escape route. Now Grant could starve out the Confederacy in the city. For six weeks around the clock in the Union fired on Vicksburg.

Vicksburg People resorted to eating rats and horses and even their own pets. Finally with hope dwindling the confederate army surrendered Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. It had taken the union 18 months to capture Mississippi.

17.3 Section Quiz