The Civil War

By: #21

Introduction• The Civil War killed more United States citizens than

any other war in history• 11 Southern states formed the Confederacy• The Confederate attack on Fort Sumpter started the

Civil war

The Union Vs. the Confederate Army

• Each army had specific uniforms• Union solders wore blue uniforms, while the Confederate

army wore gray uniforms

• Both armies were led by famous generals• General Robert E. Lee turned down an offer to lead

the Union army, and led the Confederate forces instead

The Battle Of Gettysburg

• Considered the turning point of the war• Battle raged on for several days • 15,000 Confederate soldiers died in an attack lead by Confederate General Pickett• Casualties were high on both sides

Military Tactics and Technology• Civil war used modern war technologies, for example rifles

vs. muskets• This allowed soldiers to kill from a great distance • Pointed bullets punched through targets more effectively• Armies fought for the high ground and from ditches

Confederate Steam Machine Gun• The Confederate army was working on a technology for a machine gun• The machine gun was powered by steam and fired two ounce musket balls• A spring loaded gate kept the balls from firing too early• A tub protected the user from being shot by the gun

tub

Combat Conditions

• Combat conditions were very harsh!

• Often, soldiers couldn’t see the enemy due to smoke on the field of battle

• Sights and smells were horrible

• Despite these dangers, some eagerly signed up

Medical Care• Patients had to wait days or months for

treatment• Doctors had simple instruments to use• Medicine was scarce• Splints keep broken bones from moving• Confederates used bark for splints• Treated diarrhea with Geranium flowers

Food And Drink• Soldiers had to carry food that wouldn’t spoil• Usually ate pork or beef that was pickled in salt water• Food had to be soaked in water for hours• Ate cakes of dried onions, carrots, beans, and turnips.• Had to forage for fresh food and water

Conditions on the Home Front• Draft was mandatory in the North• Some could pay $300 and not be drafted• Draft riots broke out, over 100 people died.• In the South, food and goods shortages were

widespread

From Gettysburg to Appomattox• In the West, the Union armies led by Ulysses S.

Grant captured Fort Vicksburg• Fort Vicksburg was an important fort, overlooking

the Mississippi river. • This split the Confederacy in half. • In 1864 Grant was appointed to lead all the Union

armies.• On April 9th, 1865 the Confederacy surrendered to

the Union at the Appomattox court house.

Conclusion• On April 9th, 1865 the Civil War come to an end, after 4

long years of fighting.• The Union allowed Confederate soldiers to return home.• War torn cities began to be rebuilt.• The United States began to be re-united.