Transcript Key Battles Of The Civil War

Key Battles Of The Civil War
Early Battles of the Civil War
First Bull Run
July 21st 1861
• "There stands Jackson like a stone wall!"
• General Bernard Bee, Fourth Alabama Brigade, of Thomas
Jackson
At the Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run), it is estimated that
between 8,000 and 10,000 bullets were fired for every man
killed.
First Bull Run
• Well dressed Washingtonians flock to the
battlefield to see a Union victory.
• Irvin McDowell - 40,000 Union troops.
• P.G.T. Beauregard - 20,000 Confederate
troops.
• Union Loses 2,896 casualties. Forced to flee
back to Washington. (Skedaddle)
• Confederate loses 1,982
Ironclads
Merrimac
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Originally called the Virginia later
taken by the Confederacy and
turned into their first Ironclad.
Easily smashed through the Union
blockade at Hampton Roads
Virginia. (Wooden Ships)
Later engaged in combat against
the Union’s Monitor.
Monitor
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Turreted warship carrying heavy
guns.
Ship was protected by being mostly
underwater and had iron siding.
A revolving turret with two smooth
bore guns allowed greater accuracy
and distance.
Powered by steam power and a
screw Propeller.
Engaged in a naval battle with
Merrimac. (Stalemate)
Peninsula Campaign
Spring, 1862
• “If the general is not going to use the army, I
would like to borrow it.” Lincoln
• George B. McClellan vs... Robert E. Lee
Peninsula Campaign
Spring, 1862
• Union objective 121,000 troops sent to the Peninsula
to capture Richmond.
• Confederate strategy: Richmond must not fall. (Lee
Attacks)
• Seven Days Battles:Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill,
Savages Station, Frayser’s Farm, and Malvern Hill.
• Most of the battles were Union victories, but the
Union Army is forced to retreat.
• Lincoln replaces McClellan with John Pope.
Western Campaign
Spring, 1862
• Shiloh “place of peace”
• U.S. Grant vs... Albert Sydney Johnston.
• Anaconda Plan - Control the Mississippi River and all the
tributaries.
• The rebels are out there thicker than fleas on a dog's back!!
Western Campaign
Spring, 1862
• Grant and General Don Carlos Buell join
forces at Pittsburgh Landing. (97,000 men)
• Johnston’s forces include 30,000 men.
• Confederate forces attack a much larger
Union Army with 14 charges. (Hornets Nest)
• The Confederates are forced to withdraw.
• Total Causalities: 2,477 killed and over
23,000 injured or lost. (More then all previous
American wars combined.
Antietam
September 17th, 1862
• Lee Invades the North to
strike fear and capture fall
harvests.
• McClellan Knows Lee’s Plan,
but fails to attack.
• Burnsides bridge and
Sunken road covered with
bodies. >>>>>>
• Bloodiest single day in
American History (24,000
dead)
• Declared a Union Victory!
• Emancipation Proclamation
Fredericksburg
December, 1862
• "A chicken could not live
on that field when we
open on it.”(Porter
Alexander.)
• Ambrose Burnside
116,683 troops vs.....
Robert E. Lee 72,564
troops.
• Capture Fredericksburg
and on to Richmond
Fredericksburg
December, 1862
• Rappahannock River
(17 day delay pontoon
bridges.
• Union forces cross river
and loot the town.
• Marye’s Heights - 14
Union forces are
repelled. (12,535
losses)
• Burnside is replaced by
Joseph Hooker.
Chancellorsville
Spring, 1863
• "My plans are perfect, and when I
start to carry them out, may God
have mercy on Bobby Lee, for I
shall have none." Joe Hooker
• Joseph Hooker 70,000 men Vs.
Robert E. Lee’s 40,000 men.
• “Let us Cross over the River and
Rest under the shade of the
trees.”(Stonewall Jackson’s last
words. )
Chancellorsville
Spring, 1863
• Objective: Robert E. Lee is forced
to divide his army in two.
• Lee fakes an attack on
Fredericksburg and sends Jackson
to attack the Union right flank.
• Stonewall Jackson attack is a
success but he is wounded by his
own men by mistake.
• Union forces are destroyed with
losses of over 17,000 men.
Hooker is relieved of command.