Transcript Military Leadership in the Civil War

Civil War Military and
Political Leaders
Jefferson Davis, President of the
Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis
Grew up rich in a cotton
plantation family in Mississippi.
Educated at West Point and
fought in Mexican War.
Served in Senate and as
Franklin Pierce’s Secretary of
War.
Hard working and committed
to his job, strongly believed
in Southern values.
Jefferson Davis
Overly sensitive about criticism.
Kept grudges, didn’t work with
those he didn’t like.
Meddled in all his advisors’ jobs
and interfered in his generals’
planning of the war.
Never developed a comprehensive
plan of defense for the war.
Never pulled the South together as a country to face the Union attack
due to State’s Rights supporters and his own aristocratic personality.
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
States of America
Abraham Lincoln
Grew up poor in a log cabin in Illinois.
Had semi successful law career before
serving one two year term in the
Illinois House of Representatives.
When elected President, most of his
party figured they would be able to
control him.
Was the subject of jokes and
ridicule: own general called him
“the original Gorilla.”
Abraham Lincoln
-Never allowed personal feelings to
effect his policies and goals.
-Was good at listening and creating
policy that addressed different opinions.
-Was a great leader of people, guided
but let his advisors fail or succeed.
-Quite sensitive to the emotions and
needs of the public, listened to their
concerns and comforted them,
deeply hurt by Union’s losses.
Abraham Lincoln
-Despite no military
experience and bad generals,
developed “Anaconda Plan”
and Union blockade.
-Very popular with soldiers.
-Overcame critics with
strength by:
-Raising troops w/o
Congress’ consent
-Suppressing opposition
to war by taking away
freedoms.
-Even went against Supreme Court.
What type of military leaders do you need to win?
•Experienced
•Decisive
•Brave
•Good with people
•Organized
•A little egotistical?
How about these Generals? Would you follow
them into battle?
Union Generals: Butler, Buckland, Brannon, Hamland
Confederate Generals: Mahone, Marmaduke, McLaws, Lane
Military Leadership in the Civil War
Presidents Lincoln and Davis
considered themselves the
Commanders in Chief.
Many of the generals and
officers from both sides were
friends and had trained
together at West Point
When the war broke out, many
of the officers had to choose
which side to work for.
Military Leadership of the South
Robert E. Lee
-Was an important Union general before war.
-Admired by both sides as a gentleman and
great general.
-Struggled to make decisions with Davis
-Rebel soldiers considered him a Southern hero.
-Lee was daring, decisive, and heroic on the
battlefield. He was a great leader of men and
challenged them almost to a fault.
-Led South to early victories, but made fateful
decision to charge at Gettysburg and
surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court
House
Military Leadership of the South
Thomas “Stonewall”
-Deeply religious and intellectual man
Jackson
-Courageous and very disciplined leader
-Made famous stand at Manassas but died at
Chancellorsville after being shot by own sentry.
Jubal Early
-Commander in Virginia Army, engaged in
many big battles and never surrendered.
-Lee called him his “bad old man” due to
Early’s constant swearing.
-Would “fight anything at any time.”
Joseph Johnston
-Highest ranking Union officer to defect to Rebels
-Thought by many to be more capable than Lee as
a general.
Military Leadership of the South
James Longstreet
George Pickett
-Lee’s most trusted general and a brave warrior
-Courageous leader who would take the field, but
more of a defensive military genius.
-Warned Lee about foolishly attacking at
Gettysburg, never regained confidence after that.
-Not real intelligent but a brave almost
foolish general ready for fight at any time.
-Famous for his Southern gentlemanly
behavior around the ladies.
-Led the famous “Pickett’s Charge” at
Gettysburg and suffered the loss of over
50% of his men. *show video of leaders*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt2M8n_oV2I
Military Leadership of the North
Ulysses S. Grant
-Poor student at West Point (21 out of 39) and
was a store clerk before the war.
-Shabbily dressed, cigar chomping, hard headed
and determined, quite unromantic about war.
-Excellent at logistics: photographic memory
for maps, willing to try any movements for
advantage.
-Brought important leadership after many
generals had failed for Lincoln.
-Criticized for drinking too much and
being too plain.
-Led Union army to brilliant victories and
accepted Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.
Military Leadership of the North
George McClellan
-Young and brash leader for the Union.
-Good at organizing but had the “slows,” prepared
too much, wouldn’t follow up and attack.
-Had chance after Battle of 7 Days to invade
Richmond but delayed and was replaced as general.
Ambrose Burnside
-Complete failure as successor to McClellan.
-Tried to fight Lee and was badly beaten.
-Asked to be removed from command.
-Famous for his “sideburns.”
Joseph Hooker
-Nicknamed “Fighting Joe” but lost at
Fredericksburg and the Wilderness.
-Most famous for seeing women of the evening
called Joseph’s “hookers”
Military Leadership of the North
George Meade
-Succeeded Hooker as general
-Took over 3 days before Gettysburg and guided
Union to victory.
-Not totally effective after that and Grant took over
command of Meade’s army.
William Tecumseh
-Determined and ruthless, one of the Union’s best.
Sherman
-Put in charge of all the Union’s Western armies
-Drove his armies southeast to Atlanta, won the
city and burned it on the way out.
-Best known for his army’s “March to the Sea” on
which they destroyed everything in a 60 mile swath
to keep the Rebels from having supplies. *show video of leaders*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJA7PV3wAoE