FIRST THINGS FIRSTFIRST THINGS FIRST Retrieve your assessment folders…

Southern VictoriesSouthern Victories  Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson lead Southern military success in the east Battle of Fredericksburg, VA  Lee intercepts Gen. Ambrose Burnside near Fredericksburg  Lee’s army is entrenched (to place within a trench or ditch for defense) on higher ground  Dec. 13, 1862 — Union army attacks and Lee’s troops drive the Union back resulting in heavy losses  Burnside resigns

Chancellorsville  May 1863 — Lee meets Union forces led by Gen. Joseph Hooker (Union has twice as many men)  Lee divides his troops—one group meets the main force in front, the other group hits the Union forces on their flank (side/edge of a military formation)  Union withdraws and Chancellorsville is a Confederate victory  But this victory comes at a great price: Stonewall Jackson was hit by friendly fire, had his arm amputated, contracted pneumonia and dies..  His death is a great loss for the Confederates

Union Leadership??Union Leadership??  In less than a year, Lincoln tries three different generals and they all disappoint  McClellan, Burnside and Hooker all fail to lead the Union to victory  Major General George Meade took command three days before the battle of Gettysburg

African Americans in the WarAfrican Americans in the War  African Americans make up more than 30% of the Southern population but are not allowed to enlist or fight in the war (South thought they would attack fellow troops)  At first, the North resists as well but by 1862, the Union decided they needed more soldiers to win the war  Many African Americans were eager to fight as well  Congress reverses its policy and allows African American regiments  African American soldiers fighting ability was doubted by white soldiers

The 54 th MassachusettsThe 54 th Massachusetts  Southern armies HATED the African American soldiers in the Union and often focused their fiercest fire on them  Still, many African Americans enlist  By the end of the war, they make up 10% of the Union army  54 th Massachusetts – Founded in 1863 under the command of Col. Robert Gould Shaw  Later that year, they served on the front lines in the assault on Ft. Wagner — nearly 300 casualties including Colonel Shaw  The regiment became famous for their courage (esp. at the Battle of Olustee in Florida)

The 54 th MassachusettsThe 54 th Massachusetts 54 th Massachusetts Memorial at Boston Common, Boston, MA

FIRST THINGS FIRSTFIRST THINGS FIRST Think back to the Emancipation Proclamation (Lincoln’s legislation to free slaves in all rebel territories) What did the Emancipation Proclamation have to do with Britain and France? If anything?

The Tide TurnsThe Tide Turns  Spring of 1863 — Confederates have the upper hand and their victory at Chancellorsville ruins the Union plan to attack Richmond (Anaconda)  Lee decides to take the attack into the North to impress Britain/France  If Confederates seem to be winning, maybe they can get help from Britain/France who miss Southern goods (cotton)

The Battle of GettysburgThe Battle of Gettysburg  July 1-3, 1863 — a small town in PA is the site for one of the most decisive battles of the war  Gettysburg was not a key site, the two sides met accidentally  Confederates go into town looking for supplies but encounter the North (oops)  Battle starts at 7:30 am on July 1  Union troops retreat to Cemetery Ridge (high ground)  July 2 nd — Southern generals try to drive Union from hills named Round Top and Little Round Top, but Union forces hold

The Battle of GettysburgThe Battle of Gettysburg  July 3 rd — Lee orders “Pickett’s Charge”  Southern army fired 140 cannons at the Union  Then, Gen. George Pickett led thousands of troops in attack on the Union position on Cemetery Ridge  “Pickett’s Charge” was unsuccessful  Over 48,000 casualties (25,000 for South vs. 23,000 for North)  Loss at Gettysburg ends all hope for the South of gaining help from France or Britain

Siege of VicksburgSiege of Vicksburg  Grant first attacks Vicksburg in April with gunships and 77,000 troops (compared to 30,000 Confederates)  In May, he begins a siege (barricade) of the town  The siege lasts 47 days  On July 4, as Lee retreats from Gettysburg, the city of Vicksburg falls to the Union forces led by Ulysses S Grant (9,000 Confed./10,ooo Union casualties)  Confederates then lose Port Hudson, last stronghold on the Mississippi

The Gettysburg AddressThe Gettysburg Address  November 19, 1863  People gather to dedicate the Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg, PA  Lincoln speaks for two minutes (272 words) and honors the soldiers and their cause