26.1 Early Years of the War

Main IdeaIn the first two years of the war, neither side gained a decisive victory over the other.

Why It Matters NowA long war can cause much death and destruction and leave a bitter legacy.

Standards• 8.10.5 Study the lives of leaders (e.g., Ulysses S.

Grant, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee) and soldiers on both of the war, including those of black soldiers and regiments.

• 8.10.6 Describe critical developments and events in the war, including the major battles, geographical advantages and obstacles, technological advances, and General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

• 8.10.7 Explain how the war affected combatants, civilians, the physical environment, and future warfare.

Daily Guided Questions1. Why did the Union army have such a

hard time defeating the Confederate forces in the east?

2. Why was the Union army successful in winning the western campaign?

3. What advantages did Grant’s armies gain for the North?

1862/ Battles at Sea

• Both navies battle it out.-South only have 130 naval ships.• Ironclads used as part of blockade, and used

to break it.• March, famous battle between ironclads (USA

Monitor v. CSA Merrimack or Virginia) end in a draw.

1862/ War in the West

• General Ulysses S. Grant, “…hit them hard…keep moving…”

• Plan to take Tennessee-Captures CSA forts, Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson in Feb.-Opens river route into southern heartland by using ironclads.

Battle of Shiloh• Heading south in April 1862, Grant is surprised

by CSA General Albert S. Johnston.• Worst fighting of the war so far.-General William T. Sherman has three horses shot from under him.-Johnston killed.-CSA retreat.-13,000 USA and 11,000 CSA troops killed.

Fall of New Orleans

• Admiral David Farragut captures major port city.

• After Grant and his victories, USA almost has total control of Mississippi River.

• Vicksburg is the next goal.

1862/ War in the East• After the 1st Battle of Bull Run, new General

George McClellan given control of army in the east.

-Too cautious, trained his army for seven months.• Moves on to Richmond in March.-Stops and waits (one month) for more troops.-CSA reinforces army.• Lee fights McClellan, “Seven Day’s Battles”.• McClellan retreats.

Lee’s Victories

• After CSA victory at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Lee decides to invade the North in Sep.

-Force Lincoln to talk peace.-CSA can rest during harvest.-CSA can plunder USA farms for food.-Prove to European countries to support CSA.

Antietam, Sep. 1862

• Lee draws up plans for invasion of the North.-Officer wraps the plan around three cigars and leaves them behind.-Union troops find them and give them to McClellan.-Lee plans to split his army in two.• McClellan attacks Lee’s bigger army at

Sharpsburg, MD.

Cont.• In the end over 25,000 men will die.-12,000 Union troops lost.-14,000 CSA killed.-Lee loses 1/3 of army and retreats.• McClellan fails to pursue Lee into

Virginia.-Angers Lincoln and fires him that November

Letter Writing • Break you up into pairs (boy/girl).• Write a letter to one other.• If you’re male, pretend you are a soldier in the army or an

army doctor.-Explain your everyday life, the battles you’ve been in, the awful things you have seen, & tell the person how much you miss them.• If you are a female, pretend you are back home. What

are you doing? Taking care of the farm or business, working in a factory, or working as a nurse?

-Explain the things you have seen, the struggles you are enduring, and how much you miss them.

Any date, 1862• Dear___________,

• In over a hundred words write, use your notes and textbook to create your letter.

• The second letter will connect more because you will exchange and read the first letter.

With Love, Your Name

Examples: Textbook pages 636-637 and 384.

Study Guide pg. 179

• Copy and complete the study guide on page 179.• Use textbook page 398-410 to

complete it.