The U.S. Civil War1861 - 1865

The Two Sides

First Battle of Bull RunJuly 21, 1861

• 35,000 Union soldiers - Gen. Irvin McDowell• 30,000 Rebel soldiers – P.G.T. Beauregard• After early Union success, Confederates rally.– Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson

• Union soldiers (and civilians) retreat to D.C.• Casualties: 2,896 US – 1,982 CS

• Major Lesson: This will not be a short war.

After First Bull Run

• Gen. George B. McClellan takes command of the Army of the Potomac

• Trouble with Great Britain– “One war at a time.”

Success in the West

• In an attempt to cut the Confederacy in half, Ulysses S. Grant wins battles at Fort Henry and Fort Donaldson– “unconditional surrender”

• Grant then moves on Corinth, Mississippi.

Battle of Shiloh

• Grant’s Army of the Tennessee stops 20 miles short of Corinth.– They setup camp near a church named Shiloh.

• April 6, 1862 – Confederates attack• After 2 days, the Union claims victory. It is a

costly victory.• 13,000 US – 10,000 CS

Battle of Shiloh

Ironclads

March 9, 1862Naval warfare changes forever

Union Troubles Continue in the East

• Gen. McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign is aimed at taking the Richmond, VA.

• Overly cautious, McClellan is slow to act.• Now under the command of Robert E. Lee, the

Army of Northern Virginia defeats McClellan in the Seven Days’ Battles.

• McClellan again retreats toward Washington

Faces of the Seven days’ Battles

Robert E. Lee

Edwin Jennison

Lee Invades the North

• On the heels of victory during the Seven Days, Lee moves to invade the North through Maryland.

• Good fortune befalls McClellan, wrapped around three cigars.

• Union forces move to meet the Confederates, but McClellan hesitates again.

• Lee prepares for battle near Sharpsburg, MD.

Battle of Antietam

• September 17, 1862– The Bloodiest Day in American History

• Despite having time to dig-in, the Confederates are overwhelmed numerically

• By nightfall, 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing

• Lee escapes, McClellan hesitates, Lincoln has had enough!

Battle of Antietam

Battle of Antietam

Battle of Antietam

Battle of Antietam

Battle of Antietam

Burnside Takes Command

Fighting for a New Cause

• After victory at Antietam, Lincoln sees an opportunity to issue his Emancipation Proclamation

• Sept. 22, 1862 – Preliminary proclamation• January 1, 1863 – Final proclamation• All slaves in territories held by the Confederates

are now free. What does this mean?

Burnside at Fredericksburg

• In a rare winter move, Burnside aims at taking Richmond.

• His first target is Fredericksburg along the Rappahannock River.

• Misfortune and delay again cost the Union and lead to defeat.

• 12,653 US – 5,309 CS• Burnside is replaced – Hooker takes command

Chancellorsville

• With a much smaller force, Lee defeats Hooker’s Union forces. But it is a costly victory.

• 17,000 out of 130,000 US• 13,000 out of 60,000 CS

• Lee needs a decisive victory.• He will again look to invade the North.