11-2: Fighting Erupts

The Main Idea

Widespread fighting occurred during the first two years of the Civil War.

Reading Focus

• What factors made the major battles in the war so bloody?

• How did the Union carry out its strategy in the Mississippi Valley?

• What led to the Confederate successes in the war in the East?

• Why did the Confederate forces invade the Union, and with what result?

Review

• What crisis did President Lincoln face at Fort.

• How long did most people believe the war between the states would last?

• Term that means to leave the Union.

• Slave states that remained in the Union were called ____________ states.

• Rule by the military ______________

• Why was Maryland a critical state?

• What were the Union/Conferederate goals and strategies

• What was cotton diplomacy?

Bell Ringer

Most people expected the war between the states to be a quick one,and they were eager to see a quick victory. So when President Lincolnsent troops south from Washington to battle the Confederate army,men and women packed picnics and rode out to watchthe battle neara creek known as Bull Run. After early Union successes, Confederatetroops pushed the Union army back. When a carriage on a bridge washit by artillery, blocking part of the army’s retreat, the Uniontroops panicked, as did the civilians. The orderly retreat turned into achaotic stampede back to Washington.

1. Why did spectators want to watch the Union and Confederate armies fight?

2. Why did Union soldiers panic during the battle of Bull Run?

Bell Ringer

In the Union army: 10 companies = 1 regiment4 regiments = 1 brigade4 brigades = 1 division1-2 divisions = 1 army corp

How many soldiers were in a company?

How many in a brigade?

In a division?

Corp of 2 divisions?

The Major Battles Begin

• Union army not ready to fight

– With 90-day volunteer enlistment nearly over, the decision was made to send troops to Manassas Junction to attack.

• First Battle of Bull Run

– The chaotic battle ended hope for a short war.

– Stonewall Jackson earned his nickname “Stonewall”

– Confederate infantry, foot soldiers, charge causing Union troops to stampede. There were 2,000 Confederate and 2,900 Union casualties, military term for those killed, wounded, or missing in action.

The Major Battles Begin

• Results

– Union retreats

• Ends hopes for a short war

– Lincoln called for a million more volunteers to serve for three years.

– Replaced McDowell with General George McClellan, who set about creating a real army out of the volunteer force

• Why do you suppose it was called the First Battle of Bull Run?

The Major Battles Begin

• Top generals on each side trained at West Point.

• Old instructional methods based on infantry and cavalry charges, but with new weaponry these tactics led to huge casualties

• Increased range and accuracy with bullet-shaped ammunition and rifling

• Shrapnel replaced cannonballs, and fragments mowed down troops.

Tactics and Technology

• Observation balloons were used to direct artillery fire, and camouflage was used to disguise tents and guns from view.

• The telegraph allowed for quick communication.

• Railroads used to move troops.

New Devices of

War

The Fight for the Mississippi Valley

Ironclads were used by the Union to take the Mississippi Valley.

Ulysses S. Grant captured Forts Henry and Donelson, opening the western Confederacy and leaving the Mississippi River vulnerable to attack. Grant continued south to the railroad center of Corinth, Mississippi.

The bloody Battle of Shiloh was a Confederate loss, but there were over 23,000 total casualties. Grant realized the Union would be saved only by complete conquest.

New Orleans fell to Admiral Farragut, and he continued up the Mississippi River to capture Baton Rouge and Natchez. Only Vicksburg remained in Confederate hands.

The War in the East

General McClellan

• Hesitant commander with 100,00-man Union army designated to attack Richmond

• Fought a series of battles on the peninsula but always delayed action

• Lincoln held troops back to defend Washington

• Confederates attacked in a series of clashes, and McClellan retreated after four victories in five battles.

2nd Battle of Bull Run

• Overly cautious McClellan waited outside Richmond.

• Lincoln puts John Pope in charge.

• Robert E. Lee lured Pope into battle and defeated him.

• Lincoln put McClellan back in command, telling his cabinet members, “We must use the tools we have.”

• Smaller Confederate forces more effective and led by better commanders

The Union Is Invaded

Union morale was low after defeats in Virginia and the Confederates determined to attack on Union soil, hoping to gain an early peace.

Battle of Antietam– McClellan caught up with Lee’s troops at Sharpsburg, Md.– A savage single day of fighting left 23,000 dead.– Lincoln’s order to “destroy the rebel army” was ignored.– McClellan allowed the rebels to retreat into Virginia.– He was relieved of command.

The Battle of Fredericksburg– Ambrose Burnside named new Union commander– Marched massive army toward Richmond– Attacking Confederates head-on left 13,000 Union dead.– The battle was a disaster for the Union.

Civil War Songs

• Battle Hymn of the Republic Atlanta Monthly Lyrics

• John Brown’s Body

• When Johnny Comes Marching Home

• Dixie

• Goober Peas

Civil War Songs

• When Johnny Comes Marching Home

• Dixie

• Goober Peas

Review

• What was the outcome of the first battle of Bull Run?

• What new technologies were implemented during the Civil War?

• What happened at the Second Battle of Bull Run?

• How would you describe George McClellan as a battlefield commander?

• Why did Lee cross into Maryland for the Battle of Antietam?