Chapter 11 Section 1

Page 338

Feb. 1861 – 7 of the southern most states had seceded

When Lincoln took office, only 2 southern forts remained in Union hands.

The most important fort was in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Confederacy was demanding that the Union surrender the fort or face attack.

Supplies & ammunition would last only 6 weeks.

Charleston presented a dilemma for Lincoln.If he ordered an

attack, he would be responsible for starting the war.

If he gave up the fort, he would be recognizing the Confederate government.

Lincoln decided to take neither option he would only “send food to hungry men”.

President Jefferson Davis ordered an attack.

War began on April 12, 1861.

South Carolinians bombarded the fort until the Union surrendered.

News of Fort Sumter’s fall united the North.Men rushed to enlistLincoln’s call for troops, provoked a different

reaction in the upper southern states.Virginia unwilling to fight against other southern

states, so Virginia seceded.Terrible loss for the Union b/c Virginia was heavily

populated.May – Arkansas, Tennessee, & North Carolina

secededCitizens in western Virginia seceded from Virginia

creating West VirginiaFour slave states remained…Maryland, Delaware,

Kentucky, & MissouriMany of the citizens still fought for the Confederacy

More fighting powerMore factoriesGreater food productionMore railroadsDecisive leaders3 part plan (Anaconda

Plan)Blockade southern portsMove down the

Mississippi river to split the South

Capture the capital

“King Cotton”First rate generalsStrong military

traditionHighly motivated

troopsLimited governmentStrategy

Attack but primarily defend the South at all costs

Confederate

First major battle30,000 inexperienced Union troops marched

toward Richmond, VA (Capital of South)Surprised to come across a Confederate

battalion near the small creek…Bull RunLincoln commanded his general, Irvin

McDowell, to attackBattle was a seesaw affairSouthern General Thomas Jackson, (Stonewall

Jackson) led the South to its first victory of the war.

Union troops retreated to their capitalConfederate morale soared

Lincoln appointed George McClellanFeb 1862, Union army invaded TNUlysses Grant led the Union army

Brave, tough, decisive military commanderGrant’s forces captured 2 Confederate forts that

held strategic locations on two rivers, in just 11 days

Fort Henry on the Tennessee RiverFort Donelson on the Cumberland River“no terms except unconditional and immediate

surrender can be accepted” - Grant

1 month later, Grant gathered troops near a TN church, Shiloh, which was close to the Mississippi

Confederate troops then surprised Union troopsGrant reorganized his troops and ordered

reinforcements & led a counter attack the following day

Strategic LessonsGenerals now realized that they would be forced to

send out scouts to dig trenches & build forts.Shiloh demonstrated how bloody the war would become

Proved that the North’s strategy to take the Mississippi to split the south might succeed.

David Farragut’s assignment was to take New Orleans from the South.

It was the largest and busiest port in the South.Farragut took his fleet past two southern forts in

spite of heavy fire to take New Orleans.Farragut also took Baton Rouge and NatchezIf the Union captured all the major cities along

the Mississippi, then Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee would be cut off from the South.

Advances in technology changed strategy and contributed to the high death tools.

Ironclad ships could splinter wooden ships, withstand cannon fire, and resist burning.

Both the North and South used these ships during the war.

Even more deadly than the ironclad ships were the advancements on guns and ammunition.

Rifles were more accurate & soldiers could reload them quicker.

The minie ball was a soft lead bullet that was more destructive than earlier bullets.

Troops also used primitive grenades and land mines.

The 3rd part of the North’s 3-part strategy to capture the capital faltered.

One of the problems was General McClellan who was extremely cautious.

He complained that there were only 2 bridges across the Potomac.

Northern newspapers began to mock his daily bulletins of “All quiet on the Potomac”.

Even the patient Lincoln commented that he would like to borrow McClellan’s army if the general himself was not going to use it.

After dawdling all winter, McClellan finally got under way in the spring of 1862.

On the way he encountered a Confederate army commanded by General Joseph Johnston.

After a series of battles, Johnston was injured and the army passed to Robert E. Lee.

Lee was very different – was willing to go beyond the military textbooks to move his forces.

He had opposed secession.

Lee then moved against the enemies capital.South won an easy victory at the Second Battle of

Bull RunMcClellan found Lee’s plans and realized that

Confederate troops were separated for the moment.McClellan ordered his men to attack Lee.Battle of Antietam

Bloodiest one day battle in American history26,000+ men died

Rather than finishing off the Confederates, McClellan did nothing.

Confederate troops retreatedLincoln fired McClellan “having the slows”

1. How did the Confederacy challenge Lincoln?2. What was especially damaging to the Union about

Virginia’s secession?3. What was the Union’s military strategy?4. What was the Confederacy’s military strategy?5. Why was the Battle of Bull Run a surprise to both sides?6. How did Grant prove his skill as a leader in the West?7. What was important about the Battle of Shiloh?8. How did Grant and Farragut help advance the strategy of

splitting the Confederacy?9. What new weapons made war on the battlefield more

deadly?10. What revolution in shipbuilding changed naval warfare?11. How did McClellan hurt the Union cause?12. What action did Lee take that threatened the Union?13. What were the results of the Battle of Antietam?