1. The Beginning (1861-Early 1863)

2.  Both North & South entered war optimistic  Reality intruded at Battle of Manassas/Bull Run: ◦ Despite overwhelming numbers, North is routed! ◦ 1,492 casualties & 1,216 missing from Union Army

3.  “This war won’t be quick or easy!”—North & South  Gen. Irvin McDowell’s superior Union force is proven inexperienced & cut to shreds  Pres. Lincoln replaces McDowell with Gen. George McClellan  McClellan proved to be a much better leader & organizer

4.  He also proved to be overly cautious ◦ Took seven months training before first attack ◦ A frustrated President Lincoln complained, “If General McClellan does not want to use the army, I would like to borrow it from time to time.”  March 1862 he finally marched 100,000 men on Richmond, VA (Conf. Capital)  But, felt he was undermanned, having left 37,000 troops behind to defend D.C…. ◦ Stopped march for a month ◦ Requested more troops (despite facing only 15,000 Confederates)

5.  During McClellan’s month- long pause Confederates reinforced the capital at Richmond  May 31, 1862 Confederates stopped Union advance before it reached Richmond  Late June, McClellan forced to retreat!  Richmond is safe  South is emboldened…Lee marches North: ◦ Believes victory on northern soil (MD) could win Confederacy the war General Robert E. Lee

6. General Grant & The War in the West

7.  In charge of western, Union Army (with William Tecumseh Sherman as 2 nd in Command)  Unwilling Army Man  Served in Mexican-American War  Was out of the active service when Civil War began  Appointed Colonel of volunteer regiment by Gov. in 1861  Rose through the ranks via merit (despite being non-traditional) ◦ Ended war as Commander-in-Chief of entire Union Army

8.  Only place for Union success early in war  Trying to split Confederacy in ½ by taking Mississippi River  Captured: ◦ Fort Henry ◦ Fort Donelson  Marched on Corinth, MS & Confederate Army

9.  Pittsburgh Landing, TN  April 6, 1862  Generals:  U.S. Grant (Union)  Albert Johnston (Confederate)  Johnston surprised Grant before he could reach Corinth, MS and more Union forces could arrive  Could have been end of Grant  Bloodier than all American war casualties to that point COMBINED!  11,000 Southern & 13,000 Northern Casualties  Considered Northern victory  Gave them foothold on Mississippi River  By end of the Summer gained entire Mississippi River

10.  Union’s Luck—find dispatch with Lee’s plan to split army  McClellan attacks larger part of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia: ◦ Near Antietam Creek ◦ Near Sharpsburg, MD  September 17, 1862—Bloodiest Single Day of American Civil War ◦ 12,000 Union & 13,000 Confederate Casualties (1/3 of entire Army!) ◦ Fought to a draw  McClellan didn’t push advantage; let Union’s chance for a quick victory slip away

12.  New Weapons + Old Tactics=Deadly!  Newer rifles & cannons: ◦ More Accurate ◦ Greater range ◦ Reloaded faster  Commanders cont. to order all-out charges  Results was slaughter of thousands (N & S)

13.  Ironclad—warships covered by protective plates to protect them from cannon fire  All other types of Navies become obsolete!  Civil War uses: ◦ South used to foil Union naval blockade ◦ North gained control of Mississippi River  Most Famous Battle— Monitor (Union) vs. Merrimack (Confederate)  March 1862  Fought to a draw