Civil War Topics

Civil War Topics

Civil War Topics

People

Abraham Lincoln16th president- first Republicanelection led to secessionlittle experiencepatient, strong leaderknown for freeing slavesassassinated after Civil War ended

George McClellan1st Commander of Union Armygood organizer- raised a well-trained, organized army for the Uniontoo cautious, relieved of command during Civil War

Ulysses S. Grantattended West Point and served in Mexican Warwon many victories for the Union in the WestLincoln appointed Commander of Union Army in the middle of Civil WarBecame president of the United States

William Tecumseh Sherman, Philip Sheridan, and total warwere ordered by Grant to wage total war on the Southtore through the South, burned towns, destroyed railroad tracks, etc.hated for destruction caused in the South

Jefferson DavisPresident of the Confederacymilitary experience- Mexican WarSecretary of War respected for honesty and courage- thought to be a better leader than Lincolndidnt listen to others opinions

Robert E. LeeBest general at West Point asked by Lincoln to led Union troopsbecame the commander of Confederate Armysuccessfully won battles even though his army was outnumberedencouraged reconciliation and peaceful reunification after the Civil War

Thomas Stonewall Jacksonbest general in Confederate Armyheld his ground like a stone wall in Battle of Bull Runaccidentally shot by his own men after a battle- later died

54th Massachusetts Regimentmost famous African-American unit in armyfought bravely during many battles- helped earn respect for African-American soldiers16 African-Americans won Congressional Medals of Honor for acts of bravery

Women at Warwomens aid societies helped supply troopsheld fairs and fundraisersdisguised themselves as soldiersworked as spies and nursesDorothea Dix, Rose Greenhow, Clara Burton, Sojourner Truth, etc

Battles

Battle of Bull Run 1 and 2 (Manassas)July 1861Virginia1st major battle of Civil WarConfederates won surprising victoryshattered Norths hopes of winning the war quicklygave Confederate troops hope

Battle of AntietamSeptember 17, 1862Union troops found Lees battle plan to attack in the Northarmies met in Marylandbloodiest single day of war23,000 causalities Union stopped Confederate northern advance

Battle of Fredericksburg and Battle of ChancellorsvilleDecember 1862 and May 1863Virginia2 stunning victories for the ConfederatesConfederate troops used hills and woods to outwit the Union armyUnions worst defeats

Battle of Shiloh and New OrleansApril 1862Shiloh- bloody, two-day battleUnion troops led by GrantUnion controlled both ends of Mississippi RiverJackson was accidently shot and killed after battle

The siege of VicksburgMay 1863middle of Mississippi River, on a high cliff- hard to attackGrant led surprise attack- siege lasted over 6 weeksConfederate war and food supplies ran out- they ate mules and ratssurrendered on July 9th, 1863- Union controlled all of the Mississippi River

Battle of Gettysburg3 day battleMost important in Civil War: turning point of warConfederate soldiers retreated after losing many manPicketts Charge40,000 soldiers were wounded or deadGettysburg Address

Naval ActionUnion navy had strong Navy and set up blockadesConfederacy captured an abandoned Union ship, covered it with ironclads, and sent it to battle Unions wood shipsmany battles between ironclad shipsa new warship was invented

Surrender at Appomattox CourthouseLee and army withdrew after Grant took Petersburg and Richmond VA- 9 month siegeTrapped by Union forces a week later, Lee surrenderedGrant offered generous terms of surrender

Miscellaneous

Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Addressfreed all slaves living in Confederate Statesslowly introduce emancipation and help Union causeno slaves were actually freedGettysburg Addressall men created equalwar tested strength of democratic nation

Lincolns Assassination5 days after the Civil War endedshot by John Wilkes Booth at Fords Theaterconspiracy- others attacked on same dayconspirators were captured and tried- some hanged

Post War problems (Reconstruction)economic problemsNorth- 800,000 returning soldiers needed jobsSouth- towns destroyed by warShould Confederate leaders be punished?Should Southern states be allowed back into U.S. Government?Should slavery be abolished?

Inventionshot air balloonstin CansIronclad shipsmilitary telegraph systemrailroadand others..

Military Technologythe Gatling gunthe Repeater Riflethe rifled musketsubmarineand others..

Lack of Sanitation and Medical Technologylittle medicine to stop pain and infectionmany amputations2x the amount of soldiers died from disease and infection than in battle

Wisconsins Contribution to the Warmany Wisconsin men fought for the Union in the Civil WarWisconsin sent many unitsWisconsin women worked to aid war effort