American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarPart IPart I

1861-18651861-1865It is well that war is so terrible – we would grow to fond of it.

General LeeThere is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell.

General Sherman

Reading AssignmentReading Assignment

► Jones, The Art of War in the Western Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, pp. 409 - 418World, pp. 409 - 418

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

► Know the professional development of military Know the professional development of military officers prior to the war.officers prior to the war.

► Understand the significance of how the Understand the significance of how the organizational makeup of both sides affect their organizational makeup of both sides affect their military styles of leadership.military styles of leadership.

► Know the different strategies used by the North and Know the different strategies used by the North and South.South.

► Know the tactical and technological advances that Know the tactical and technological advances that increased combat effectiveness throughout the war.increased combat effectiveness throughout the war.

► Be able to identify the major strengths and Be able to identify the major strengths and weaknesses of Grant and Lee’s strategies.weaknesses of Grant and Lee’s strategies.

PRIOR TO THE WARPRIOR TO THE WAR

► Professional development of officers.Professional development of officers. 1802 West Point is formed1802 West Point is formed

► In 55 of 60 largest battles, both sides were commanded by In 55 of 60 largest battles, both sides were commanded by West Pointers.West Pointers.

Artillery and Infantry schools opened.Artillery and Infantry schools opened. Professional staff begins in earnestProfessional staff begins in earnest

► Greater independence for military leaders.Greater independence for military leaders. Politicians focus on strategy and are less involved in Politicians focus on strategy and are less involved in

operational and tactical decisions.operational and tactical decisions.► Mexican WarMexican War

Many leaders on both sides gain valuable experience.Many leaders on both sides gain valuable experience.► First great post-Industrial Revolution war.First great post-Industrial Revolution war.

Roots of ConflictRoots of Conflict

►Slavery ?Slavery ?► ► States Rights?States Rights?

►Multiple reasons for the warMultiple reasons for the war

Beginnings of the Civil WarBeginnings of the Civil War

► First great conflict of the Steam AgeFirst great conflict of the Steam Age► The aim of the North was unconditional The aim of the North was unconditional

surrender - total victorysurrender - total victory► The aim of the South was independence The aim of the South was independence

through persistence?through persistence?► It was a crusade that put to test the military It was a crusade that put to test the military

development of the industrial revolutiondevelopment of the industrial revolution► Therefore, it opened a radically new chapter Therefore, it opened a radically new chapter

in the history of warin the history of war

Coordinated and balanced economy vs. Coordinated and balanced economy vs. distorted, agriculture-based economydistorted, agriculture-based economy

► NORTHNORTH► 23,000,000 23,000,000

populationpopulation► Industrial Industrial

economyeconomy► 109 manufacturing 109 manufacturing

plantsplants► 22,000 miles of 22,000 miles of

railroadrailroad► 90% of industrial 90% of industrial

powerpower

► SOUTHSOUTH► 9,000,000 9,000,000

includes 3.5 M slavesincludes 3.5 M slaves► Agricultural economyAgricultural economy

Exports, not food.Exports, not food. 31,000 31,000

manufacturing manufacturing plantsplants

9,000 miles of 9,000 miles of railroadrailroad

mostly export crops mostly export crops (cotton, tobacco) so (cotton, tobacco) so food was scarcefood was scarce

Military Leadership & GeneralsMilitary Leadership & Generals

► 1,080 officers active1,080 officers active 286 went South (184 from West Point)286 went South (184 from West Point)

► 900 West Pointers in civilian sector900 West Pointers in civilian sector 99 joined South99 joined South

► 55 of 60 largest battles were led by West Point graduates55 of 60 largest battles were led by West Point graduates► Three most qualified Union generals joined South (Lee and Three most qualified Union generals joined South (Lee and

two Johnstons)two Johnstons)► Masters of Napoleonic WarfareMasters of Napoleonic Warfare

Interior lines and turning movements for both offensive Interior lines and turning movements for both offensive and defensiveand defensive

Problem was that both sides used them and they were able Problem was that both sides used them and they were able to predict each other’s movesto predict each other’s moves

Emphasis on Engineering as taught at USMAEmphasis on Engineering as taught at USMA Generals from both sides trained and had fought togetherGenerals from both sides trained and had fought together

Union StrategyUnion Strategy► Aggressive offensive to crush the rebellion.Aggressive offensive to crush the rebellion.

AttritionAttrition► Gen Winfield Scott’s Anaconda PlanGen Winfield Scott’s Anaconda Plan

Links economics and combatLinks economics and combat► Blockade and seizure of portsBlockade and seizure of ports

Implemented piecemeal and half-heartedlyImplemented piecemeal and half-heartedly► Take RichmondTake Richmond

Thought to be CSA center of gravity.Thought to be CSA center of gravity. IronworksIronworks Urgency (3 month enlistments)Urgency (3 month enlistments)

► Don’t allow Confederacy to rest.Don’t allow Confederacy to rest.► Napoleonic tactics.Napoleonic tactics.

Confederate StrategyConfederate Strategy

► Defend and delay until Union gives up.Defend and delay until Union gives up.► Need support/intervention from Europe.Need support/intervention from Europe.

Emancipation Proclamation made foreign support Emancipation Proclamation made foreign support politically unviable. politically unviable.

► Used as a strategic “weapon” by Union?Used as a strategic “weapon” by Union?

► Threaten Washington, and keep the war Threaten Washington, and keep the war distanced from Richmond.distanced from Richmond.

► Sought decisive battle that would convince the Sought decisive battle that would convince the Union it wasn’t worth it (Gettysburg?).Union it wasn’t worth it (Gettysburg?).

► Lee favored tactical defense.Lee favored tactical defense. Dug in regiment can tie down a division, allowing the Dug in regiment can tie down a division, allowing the

remainder of forces to maneuver and attack. remainder of forces to maneuver and attack.

Inventions/ InnovationsInventions/ Innovations

►TelegraphTelegraph Davis uses to gather forces for Shiloh.Davis uses to gather forces for Shiloh. Fredericksburg sees first extensive use on Fredericksburg sees first extensive use on

the battlefield.the battlefield.►RailwayRailway

Greatly changes logistics and strategic Greatly changes logistics and strategic maneuver.maneuver.

North had good system; South had North had good system; South had acceptable quantity, but no standardized acceptable quantity, but no standardized track width.track width.

WEAPONSWEAPONS

►Rifle (muzzle loader) greatly changes Rifle (muzzle loader) greatly changes tactics, although most leaders are slow tactics, although most leaders are slow to grasp its impact.to grasp its impact. Cold HarborCold Harbor

►2k dead in twenty minutes, another 5k 2k dead in twenty minutes, another 5k wounded.wounded.

►Calvary is not used to charge/exploit, Calvary is not used to charge/exploit, but to scout/skirmish.but to scout/skirmish. reconnaissancereconnaissance

Tactics and CavalryTactics and Cavalry

► TacticsTactics Few breech loaded or magazine riflesFew breech loaded or magazine rifles Almost exclusive use of muzzle loaded riflesAlmost exclusive use of muzzle loaded rifles Offensive and defensive entrenchments (Roman like)Offensive and defensive entrenchments (Roman like) Tactical defense was most powerfulTactical defense was most powerful

► Did not agree with European view that heavy Did not agree with European view that heavy cavalry had a role on the battlefieldcavalry had a role on the battlefield

► Cavalry should not charge rifle-armed infantryCavalry should not charge rifle-armed infantry► Both sides had extensive cavalry units, South had moreBoth sides had extensive cavalry units, South had more► Dismounted to fight infantryDismounted to fight infantry► Carried Rifles, pistols and sabersCarried Rifles, pistols and sabers► Rifle gave them a dismounted defensive powerRifle gave them a dismounted defensive power

Tactics and CavalryTactics and Cavalry

►Cavalry and StrategyCavalry and Strategy Light CavalryLight Cavalry ReconnaissanceReconnaissance Raids on railroads and communicationsRaids on railroads and communications

►Confederacy halted two major Union advances Confederacy halted two major Union advances by raiding their rail communicationsby raiding their rail communications

Shock Action as a last resortShock Action as a last resort Calvary on CalvaryCalvary on Calvary

The SoldiersThe Soldiers

► North (semi-regular)North (semi-regular) Marched Heavy (60 lbs)Marched Heavy (60 lbs) Military rigidity and form of disciplineMilitary rigidity and form of discipline Maintaining line in open fieldsMaintaining line in open fields Stay in our range but out of theirsStay in our range but out of theirs

► South (semi-guerrilla)South (semi-guerrilla) Marched Light (30-40 lbs)Marched Light (30-40 lbs) Independent action on the battlefieldIndependent action on the battlefield Move forward, back then rush without precision Move forward, back then rush without precision

or order sweeping everything in front of themor order sweeping everything in front of them Stay close to enemy, within our rangeStay close to enemy, within our range

18611861 18621862

► JANJAN - Secession begins in - Secession begins in earnest. (SC first state to earnest. (SC first state to secede in Dec 1860).secede in Dec 1860).

► FEBFEB - Davis elected and - Davis elected and inaugurated inaugurated

► MAR- MAR- Lincoln inaugurated; Lincoln inaugurated; Constitution of CSA Constitution of CSA passed.passed.

► APRAPR - Ft Sumter seized - Ft Sumter seized (12-14 April)(12-14 April)

► MAY- MAY- CSA declaration of CSA declaration of war passed.war passed.

► JULJUL - First Bull - First Bull Run/Manassas (21Run/Manassas (21stst))

► JANJAN- McClellan fired- McClellan fired► MARMAR- - MonitorMonitor and and

MerrimacMerrimac► APR- APR- Shiloh; Lee Shiloh; Lee

assumes commandassumes command► APR-AUGAPR-AUG- Peninsular - Peninsular

CampaignCampaign► SEPTSEPT- Antietam; - Antietam;

Emancipation Emancipation Proclamation passed Proclamation passed (takes effect Jan ’63).(takes effect Jan ’63).

► DECDEC- Fredericksburg- Fredericksburg

18631863 18641864

► MAYMAY- - Chancellorsville/SieChancellorsville/Siege of Vicksburg ge of Vicksburg beginsbegins

► JUN-JULJUN-JUL- Vicksburg - Vicksburg falls; Gettysburgfalls; Gettysburg

► SEPT- SEPT- ChickamaugaChickamauga► NOVNOV- Chattanooga- Chattanooga

► FEB- FEB- Grant assumes Grant assumes commandcommand

► MAY - MAY - Wilderness Wilderness CampaignCampaign

► JUNJUN - Cold Harbor - Cold Harbor► NOVNOV - Sherman’s - Sherman’s

March to the Sea; March to the Sea; Lincoln re-elected.Lincoln re-elected.

18651865

►APRAPR Lee surrenders at Appomattox Lee surrenders at Appomattox (9 (9 April); Lincoln assassinatedApril); Lincoln assassinated

GrantGrant

► West Point – Class of 1843West Point – Class of 1843► Mexican WarMexican War► Spends first three years in WestSpends first three years in West

Shiloh, Vicksburg, ChattanoogaShiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga► 1864 – Command of all Union forces.1864 – Command of all Union forces.► Clausewitzian (even though Clausewitzian (even though On WarOn War had not had not

been published)been published) Aggressively seek out and defeat the enemy by Aggressively seek out and defeat the enemy by

finding and destroying his centers of gravity.finding and destroying his centers of gravity. Understood and applied “Total War” conceptUnderstood and applied “Total War” concept

► Economics and combat.Economics and combat.

LeeLee

► West Point, Class of 1829 West Point, Class of 1829 2d in class w/ no demerits2d in class w/ no demerits

► Chief of Engineers during Mexican War.Chief of Engineers during Mexican War. ““Very best soldier I ever saw in the field.” ScottVery best soldier I ever saw in the field.” Scott

► Superintendent of West Point in early 50’s.Superintendent of West Point in early 50’s.► Led Marines at Harper’s Ferry.Led Marines at Harper’s Ferry.► Offered command of Union forces, but first Offered command of Union forces, but first

loyalty was to his state (Virginia).loyalty was to his state (Virginia). ““I could take no part in an invasion of the Southern I could take no part in an invasion of the Southern

states.” states.” ► Started war as advisor to President Davis.Started war as advisor to President Davis.

LeeLee

► Placed in command in June 1862.Placed in command in June 1862.► Secrets to successSecrets to success

Inspired incredible loyalty in his troops.Inspired incredible loyalty in his troops. Student of military affairs with extensive practical Student of military affairs with extensive practical

experience.experience. Knew his opponents.Knew his opponents.

► WeaknessesWeaknesses Apathy about the “Big Picture” (politics, Western Apathy about the “Big Picture” (politics, Western

Campaign).Campaign). Lack of clear guidance to subordinates and Lack of clear guidance to subordinates and

reluctance to give “course corrections” once battle reluctance to give “course corrections” once battle started.started.

Impact on Future ConflictsImpact on Future Conflicts

► Expanding battlefield due to new technology.Expanding battlefield due to new technology.► Defense is favored.Defense is favored.

fortification.fortification.► Beginnings of trend toward dispersal and Beginnings of trend toward dispersal and

increased “individual” combat.increased “individual” combat.► Shift to Total WarShift to Total War

Whole government had to be removed for success.Whole government had to be removed for success. Civil and military “targets”.Civil and military “targets”.

► Sherman’s March to the Sea.Sherman’s March to the Sea. Emancipation Proclamation. Emancipation Proclamation.

SummarySummary 1. The professional development of military officers prior to the 1. The professional development of military officers prior to the

war.(West Point, Artillery and Infantry schools, & greater war.(West Point, Artillery and Infantry schools, & greater independence for military leaders)independence for military leaders)2. The significance of how the organizational makeup of both 2. The significance of how the organizational makeup of both sides affect their military styles of leadership.(Large sides affect their military styles of leadership.(Large manufacturing economy vs. Smaller agricultural economy)manufacturing economy vs. Smaller agricultural economy)

3. The different strategies used by the North and South. (North: 3. The different strategies used by the North and South. (North: aggressive attrition style to crush Confederate center of gravity aggressive attrition style to crush Confederate center of gravity vs. South: Defend and delay strategy until a hopefully decisive vs. South: Defend and delay strategy until a hopefully decisive victory could be used as leverage on North)victory could be used as leverage on North)4. The tactical and technological advances that increased combat 4. The tactical and technological advances that increased combat effectiveness throughout the war.(Rifle, telegraph, and railway)effectiveness throughout the war.(Rifle, telegraph, and railway)5. The major strengths and weaknesses of Grant and Lee’s 5. The major strengths and weaknesses of Grant and Lee’s strategies. (Grant:aggressive total war tactics. Lee: experienced, strategies. (Grant:aggressive total war tactics. Lee: experienced, but apathetic about big pic. And unable to modify orders once but apathetic about big pic. And unable to modify orders once fight was under way)fight was under way)

Questions?