Andersonville
Andersonville was a Confederate Prisoner of War camp located in Georgia. Tons of former Union soldiers died here each day. This camp was located in between two hills, and Confederate soldiers were stationed above which made it nearly impossible to escape. All of the waste the southern soldiers created, flowed down to where the prisoners were held. This made it very hard for captured soldiers to obtain clean water. Prisoners would attempt to create shelters out of clothes, mud, or any other materials that they could find. These flimsy shelters were called "shebangs". Conditions were so awful in this camp that the prisoners would often fight for clothes that dead soldiers had on. This camp was a horrible place to live, and many soldiers died here.
http://www.wright.edu/~jack.mcknight/andersonville/photo/p05.jpg
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and his March to Sea
Sherman's Atlanta Campaign
In the latter part of the war, the Union army was advancing into Confederate territory. William T. Sherman was a general who helped invade the South. He and his army marched toward the city of Atlanta to capture it. Sherman wanted to capture this city for two reasons. One reason was that Atlanta was a symbol of Confederate pride, and if the Union took it, it would be a major blow. The other reason was that the Union needed to make progress. The election of 1864 was coming up fast, and Lincoln was facing a challenge. He needed to improve how the public thought of him. When Sherman and his army captured Atlanta, it was very important. This event was crucial because it increased the waining northern support for the war. This event also led to Lincoln being reelected. Taking the city of Atlanta under Union control demoralized the South.
http://www.awesomestories.com/images/user/58873cea8c.jpg
Sherman's March to Sea
After capturing Atlanta, Sherman wanted to continue South. He planned to march to the Atlantic Ocean, while taking Confederate cities under Union control. The march was risky because Sherman's and his army was cut off from all support. They had to live off the land. It was also risky because the Union had to travel through unknown landscape. Sherman's strategy was to bring the war to citizens, but not kill them. He wanted to make it miserable for the people living in the South. This strategy was called "hard war, total war, or scorched earth". The Atlanta Campaign, and the March to Sea were important because of four things. The first was that it ensured Lincoln's reelection. Also, it demoralized the South and Atlanta was destroyed. Southern citizens were miserable, and did not support the war anymore. The third reason why this is important is because the March destroyed southern supply lines. The Confederate forces were poorly fed, and living in horrible conditions. The final reason is that it caused the Confederate army to become unorganized. There were problems with leadership, like the North had in the beginning of the war, and the army was in disarray. While Sherman's army marched toward the Atlantic, they met many slaves. When they did meet, the army treated them respectively, and welcoming. Soldiers often offered them to join the March. Even though Sherman personally did not think of slavery as being wrong, he still treated the slaves very well. Sherman's March to Sea brought the war to citizens, and created miserable living conditions for soldiers and citizens.
http://thomaslegion.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/atlantacampaign.gif
In the latter part of the war, the Union army was advancing into Confederate territory. William T. Sherman was a general who helped invade the South. He and his army marched toward the city of Atlanta to capture it. Sherman wanted to capture this city for two reasons. One reason was that Atlanta was a symbol of Confederate pride, and if the Union took it, it would be a major blow. The other reason was that the Union needed to make progress. The election of 1864 was coming up fast, and Lincoln was facing a challenge. He needed to improve how the public thought of him. When Sherman and his army captured Atlanta, it was very important. This event was crucial because it increased the waining northern support for the war. This event also led to Lincoln being reelected. Taking the city of Atlanta under Union control demoralized the South.
http://www.awesomestories.com/images/user/58873cea8c.jpg
Sherman's March to Sea
After capturing Atlanta, Sherman wanted to continue South. He planned to march to the Atlantic Ocean, while taking Confederate cities under Union control. The march was risky because Sherman's and his army was cut off from all support. They had to live off the land. It was also risky because the Union had to travel through unknown landscape. Sherman's strategy was to bring the war to citizens, but not kill them. He wanted to make it miserable for the people living in the South. This strategy was called "hard war, total war, or scorched earth". The Atlanta Campaign, and the March to Sea were important because of four things. The first was that it ensured Lincoln's reelection. Also, it demoralized the South and Atlanta was destroyed. Southern citizens were miserable, and did not support the war anymore. The third reason why this is important is because the March destroyed southern supply lines. The Confederate forces were poorly fed, and living in horrible conditions. The final reason is that it caused the Confederate army to become unorganized. There were problems with leadership, like the North had in the beginning of the war, and the army was in disarray. While Sherman's army marched toward the Atlantic, they met many slaves. When they did meet, the army treated them respectively, and welcoming. Soldiers often offered them to join the March. Even though Sherman personally did not think of slavery as being wrong, he still treated the slaves very well. Sherman's March to Sea brought the war to citizens, and created miserable living conditions for soldiers and citizens.
http://thomaslegion.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/atlantacampaign.gif
Monday, January 27, 2014
Chickamauga and Chattanooga, the Union's Blockade
Chickamauga and Chattanooga
The battle of Chickamauga, and the city of Chattanooga, were very important in order for the Union to keep proceeding south. The battle of Chickamauga was the first major battle of the Civil War that was fought in Georgia. What happened was the Union troops established a foothold in Chattanooga, and then they proceeded the travel south across mountainous terrain to Chickamauga. Here, there was a two day battle which resulted in a Union loss. However, the Union's retreat was much easier and less stressful for the troops because the "Rock of Chickamauga" (George H. Thomas) stubbornly held a position atop a hill while everyone else retreated. This was important because Union soldiers did not have to worry or stress when they traveled back to Chattanooga. The city of Chattanooga was very important because it served as a supply center for the Atlanta Campaign. Before the Union was able to take over this city, they were trapped in it. The army was stranded until General Grant was able to open up a supply line into the city. This allowed troops to continue south because they now had provisions that were necessary.
http://www.chickamaugachase.com/images/Battle-Chickamauga.jpg
The Union's Blockade of Georgia's Coast
After the Union established major supply centers in Georgia, they went on to blockade Georgia's coast. This was part of General Scott's plan to defeat the North (Anaconda Plan). They did this because Georgia had many valuable ports like Savannah, and by cutting these ports off, the Union could reduce the supplies given to the Confederate troops. Instead of fighting the Union's blockade, General Lee decided not to waste troops there. He thought that he should use more troops where they are needed most, instead of fighting the blockade. The Mass. 54th looted and destroyed the town of Darien, when the Union was trying to secure Georgia's coast. After this, the regiment attacked Fort Wagner, but they were defeated. This regiment was very skilled at fighting and impressive. All of the men in the regiment were African American, and this was the first major battle blacks fought in. Even though they were excellent soldiers, around half of their men were killed, injured, or captured. The Union's blockade of Georgia's coast was very important in the outcome of the war.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Scott-anaconda.jpg/300px-Scott-anaconda.jpg
The battle of Chickamauga, and the city of Chattanooga, were very important in order for the Union to keep proceeding south. The battle of Chickamauga was the first major battle of the Civil War that was fought in Georgia. What happened was the Union troops established a foothold in Chattanooga, and then they proceeded the travel south across mountainous terrain to Chickamauga. Here, there was a two day battle which resulted in a Union loss. However, the Union's retreat was much easier and less stressful for the troops because the "Rock of Chickamauga" (George H. Thomas) stubbornly held a position atop a hill while everyone else retreated. This was important because Union soldiers did not have to worry or stress when they traveled back to Chattanooga. The city of Chattanooga was very important because it served as a supply center for the Atlanta Campaign. Before the Union was able to take over this city, they were trapped in it. The army was stranded until General Grant was able to open up a supply line into the city. This allowed troops to continue south because they now had provisions that were necessary.
http://www.chickamaugachase.com/images/Battle-Chickamauga.jpg
The Union's Blockade of Georgia's Coast
After the Union established major supply centers in Georgia, they went on to blockade Georgia's coast. This was part of General Scott's plan to defeat the North (Anaconda Plan). They did this because Georgia had many valuable ports like Savannah, and by cutting these ports off, the Union could reduce the supplies given to the Confederate troops. Instead of fighting the Union's blockade, General Lee decided not to waste troops there. He thought that he should use more troops where they are needed most, instead of fighting the blockade. The Mass. 54th looted and destroyed the town of Darien, when the Union was trying to secure Georgia's coast. After this, the regiment attacked Fort Wagner, but they were defeated. This regiment was very skilled at fighting and impressive. All of the men in the regiment were African American, and this was the first major battle blacks fought in. Even though they were excellent soldiers, around half of their men were killed, injured, or captured. The Union's blockade of Georgia's coast was very important in the outcome of the war.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Scott-anaconda.jpg/300px-Scott-anaconda.jpg
Gettysburg
Gettysburg- The Turning Point of the War
The battle of Gettysburg was a very important event that influenced the outcome of the Civil War. Before this battle, Lee had many hopes when he invaded the North. His first hope was that if the Confederacy won the battle, it would force the North to call for peace. Another hope that Lee had was that the South would receive foreign intervention or aid, from European countries. Lee also thought that if the South won the battle of Gettysburg, it would completely destroy the Union army. Finally, General Lee hoped to capture a major northern city. He thought that this would make the North want to call for peace, because he would then have a strategic point from which he could launch attacks. However, the outcome of the battle was very different from what Lee had hoped. The Confederate troops were forced to retreat back to Virginia. This battle electrified the North, and united northerners. This was much like the Battle of Antietam, which also excited and brought together the North. Another outcome was that this battle showed that Lee's reputation of being invincible was not true. Furthermore, Lee offered his resignation but Jefferson Davis declined it. This major loss for the Confederacy also meant that the South would not get foreign recognition. In total, there were over 50,000 casualties, and one third of Lee's army was gone. The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the war.
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/august/gettysburg-battle-charge-1500.jpg
The battle of Gettysburg was a very important event that influenced the outcome of the Civil War. Before this battle, Lee had many hopes when he invaded the North. His first hope was that if the Confederacy won the battle, it would force the North to call for peace. Another hope that Lee had was that the South would receive foreign intervention or aid, from European countries. Lee also thought that if the South won the battle of Gettysburg, it would completely destroy the Union army. Finally, General Lee hoped to capture a major northern city. He thought that this would make the North want to call for peace, because he would then have a strategic point from which he could launch attacks. However, the outcome of the battle was very different from what Lee had hoped. The Confederate troops were forced to retreat back to Virginia. This battle electrified the North, and united northerners. This was much like the Battle of Antietam, which also excited and brought together the North. Another outcome was that this battle showed that Lee's reputation of being invincible was not true. Furthermore, Lee offered his resignation but Jefferson Davis declined it. This major loss for the Confederacy also meant that the South would not get foreign recognition. In total, there were over 50,000 casualties, and one third of Lee's army was gone. The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the war.
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/august/gettysburg-battle-charge-1500.jpg
Antietam (Sharpsburg) and the Emancipation Proclamation
Antietam (Sharpsburg)
The Battle of Antietam happened on September 17, 1862, and it was one of the first three major battles fought in the Civil War- Fort Sumter and Bull Run. This battle took place in Maryland when Robert E. Lee decided to invade the North because they had momentum and confidence from winning the past battle, however his army was still exhausted from the fight. The Union had the "upper-hand" in this battle because of two things. One was that the Union had a lot more soldiers to fight. Also, the Union army found a copy of the Confederate's orders. Another important factor in this battle was that if the South won, they might have gotten recognition from Britain and France. This would mean that the Confederacy may have been aided by these countries, and have received war supplies. However, after thirteen hours of fighting, the two sides remained practically in the same spots that they started in. Over 22,000 men died in the fight (12,000-Union, 10,000-Confederacy). It was the bloodiest singe day of battle in history. After the battle, Lincoln decided to remove General McClellan from command because he was not aggressive enough and he did not pursue the weakened Confederate troops. Even though no side technically won the battle, Lincoln chose to give the Emancipation Proclamation.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/Antietam-fence.jpg
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was effective on January 1, 1863. President Lincoln gave this executive order after the battle of Antietam. This law said that all slaves that were in states who fought against the Union, would be free once the land they were in was conquered. All slaves that escaped or were in conquered rebel states would be free. However, not all slaves were immediately emancipated and this was because of four main reasons. The first reason was that Lincoln wanted to keep the support of the border states. If Lincoln was reckless with his order, it could result in the states joining the Confederacy. The second reason was that the Constitution had protections about slavery in it. The third reason was that there were many prejudices of northerners. If Lincoln spoke out on slavery too much, it may anger some northerners. This would decrease the support for the war. The last reason was that Lincoln feared that if he acted too soon on slavery, he would not be reelected. The Emancipation Proclamation gave the Union another reason to fight, but it did not immediately free all slaves.
http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/29/ep_custom-ff965152bd527d5c6437f3a038aebf0ec33b3cb5.jpg
The Battle of Antietam happened on September 17, 1862, and it was one of the first three major battles fought in the Civil War- Fort Sumter and Bull Run. This battle took place in Maryland when Robert E. Lee decided to invade the North because they had momentum and confidence from winning the past battle, however his army was still exhausted from the fight. The Union had the "upper-hand" in this battle because of two things. One was that the Union had a lot more soldiers to fight. Also, the Union army found a copy of the Confederate's orders. Another important factor in this battle was that if the South won, they might have gotten recognition from Britain and France. This would mean that the Confederacy may have been aided by these countries, and have received war supplies. However, after thirteen hours of fighting, the two sides remained practically in the same spots that they started in. Over 22,000 men died in the fight (12,000-Union, 10,000-Confederacy). It was the bloodiest singe day of battle in history. After the battle, Lincoln decided to remove General McClellan from command because he was not aggressive enough and he did not pursue the weakened Confederate troops. Even though no side technically won the battle, Lincoln chose to give the Emancipation Proclamation.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/Antietam-fence.jpg
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was effective on January 1, 1863. President Lincoln gave this executive order after the battle of Antietam. This law said that all slaves that were in states who fought against the Union, would be free once the land they were in was conquered. All slaves that escaped or were in conquered rebel states would be free. However, not all slaves were immediately emancipated and this was because of four main reasons. The first reason was that Lincoln wanted to keep the support of the border states. If Lincoln was reckless with his order, it could result in the states joining the Confederacy. The second reason was that the Constitution had protections about slavery in it. The third reason was that there were many prejudices of northerners. If Lincoln spoke out on slavery too much, it may anger some northerners. This would decrease the support for the war. The last reason was that Lincoln feared that if he acted too soon on slavery, he would not be reelected. The Emancipation Proclamation gave the Union another reason to fight, but it did not immediately free all slaves.
http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/29/ep_custom-ff965152bd527d5c6437f3a038aebf0ec33b3cb5.jpg
Friday, January 17, 2014
First Battles of the Civil War-Ft. Sumter and Bull Run
Fort Sumter and Bull Run
Fort Sumter was the first official battle of the Civil War, and it occurred on April 12, 1861. What happened at the battle of Fort Sumter was the Union controlled the fort, and wanted to send fresh supplies to the troops in the fort. However, since the fort was in South Carolina, the first state to secede because of the Election of 1860, the fort was technically in the South's land. Because of this, the Confederacy said that the Union could not send supplies there, and they bombed the ships sending the supplies. This started the Civil War. This battle also united northerners which was very significant. A few months after this battle, another major battle occurred on July 21, 1861 and this was the battle of Bull Run. Thirty thousand Union troops marched to Bull Run Creek in Virginia where Confederate troops were stationed. The Union almost won the battle, but Stonewall Jackson's reinforcements came in time to secure a victory for the South. The Federates fled to Washington D.C. while suffering 3,000 casualties. The South only suffered 2,000 casualties but this was a larger percentage of their whole army than the North's. This battle showed people in the North that the South would not give up easily, and that the Union had overestimated the strength and superiority of their armed forces.
http://www.charlestonbatterytour.com/fort-sumter-fire.jpg
Fort Sumter was the first official battle of the Civil War, and it occurred on April 12, 1861. What happened at the battle of Fort Sumter was the Union controlled the fort, and wanted to send fresh supplies to the troops in the fort. However, since the fort was in South Carolina, the first state to secede because of the Election of 1860, the fort was technically in the South's land. Because of this, the Confederacy said that the Union could not send supplies there, and they bombed the ships sending the supplies. This started the Civil War. This battle also united northerners which was very significant. A few months after this battle, another major battle occurred on July 21, 1861 and this was the battle of Bull Run. Thirty thousand Union troops marched to Bull Run Creek in Virginia where Confederate troops were stationed. The Union almost won the battle, but Stonewall Jackson's reinforcements came in time to secure a victory for the South. The Federates fled to Washington D.C. while suffering 3,000 casualties. The South only suffered 2,000 casualties but this was a larger percentage of their whole army than the North's. This battle showed people in the North that the South would not give up easily, and that the Union had overestimated the strength and superiority of their armed forces.
http://www.charlestonbatterytour.com/fort-sumter-fire.jpg
Confederate/Union Strengths and Weaknesses
Union Strengths and Weaknesses
The Union had many strengths, as well as weaknesses. One of the Union's most helpful strengths was that they had a lot of men in the army. The Union had almost twice as many soldiers than the Confederacy. Another strength was that the Union had many factories to produce materials for the war like guns, ammunition, and other necessities. The Union also had many railroads which helped supply the troops a lot quicker. One last strength was that the North had a strong navy. However, the Union also had many weaknesses. One of these was that they had to conquer a very large amount of land. Also, the land was very unfamiliar to the North.
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/e/b/1/6/11949837601577375107factory_gabrielle_nowick_.svg.hi.png
http://www.revitcity.com/object_docs/1935.jpg
Confederate Strengths and Weaknesses
Like the Union, the Confederacy had many strengths and weaknesses. One of the Confederacy's most helpful strengths was that they did not have to invade any land, and they only had to defend their homeland. Also, the South had very good soldiers and generals unlike the North. The Confederacy also believed strongly in their cause, and fought strongly for it. One weakness of the Confederacy was that they did not have very many factories to produce war materials, and they did not have many railroads to ship goods to their troops. Another weakness of the South was that it had a small population (around 9 million), and half of the population was enslaved. The Confederacy did not have a strong navy as well.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/General-Lee.jpg
The Union had many strengths, as well as weaknesses. One of the Union's most helpful strengths was that they had a lot of men in the army. The Union had almost twice as many soldiers than the Confederacy. Another strength was that the Union had many factories to produce materials for the war like guns, ammunition, and other necessities. The Union also had many railroads which helped supply the troops a lot quicker. One last strength was that the North had a strong navy. However, the Union also had many weaknesses. One of these was that they had to conquer a very large amount of land. Also, the land was very unfamiliar to the North.
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/e/b/1/6/11949837601577375107factory_gabrielle_nowick_.svg.hi.png
http://www.revitcity.com/object_docs/1935.jpg
Confederate Strengths and Weaknesses
Like the Union, the Confederacy had many strengths and weaknesses. One of the Confederacy's most helpful strengths was that they did not have to invade any land, and they only had to defend their homeland. Also, the South had very good soldiers and generals unlike the North. The Confederacy also believed strongly in their cause, and fought strongly for it. One weakness of the Confederacy was that they did not have very many factories to produce war materials, and they did not have many railroads to ship goods to their troops. Another weakness of the South was that it had a small population (around 9 million), and half of the population was enslaved. The Confederacy did not have a strong navy as well.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/General-Lee.jpg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)