Turning Point in Turning Point in the Warthe War

The High Cost of WarThe High Cost of WarOver 620, 000 casualtiesOver 620, 000 casualties1000’s permanently disabled1000’s permanently disabledFamilies lost husbands, fathers, sons;Families lost husbands, fathers, sons;Some southern towns lost 1/3 to ½ of Some southern towns lost 1/3 to ½ of

males over 16 males over 16 Many fighting(& dying) ages 15-21Many fighting(& dying) ages 15-21TX sent 60,000 men (of the approx 90,000 TX sent 60,000 men (of the approx 90,000

non-slave men in TX) 20,000 diednon-slave men in TX) 20,000 diedTerry’s Texas Rangers lost 2/3 of the unitTerry’s Texas Rangers lost 2/3 of the unit

Turning Points in the warTurning Points in the warVicksburg, MSVicksburg, MS The Union wanted to gain control of the The Union wanted to gain control of the

Mississippi River to split the Confederacy in half Mississippi River to split the Confederacy in half and limit the delivery of food and munitions from and limit the delivery of food and munitions from the west. the west.

Vicksburg, MS, was the last key point in gaining Vicksburg, MS, was the last key point in gaining control of the Mississippi Valley.control of the Mississippi Valley.

Grant began a siege of Grant began a siege of Vicksburg in May, 1863. Vicksburg in May, 1863. The people of Vicksburg The people of Vicksburg and the Confederate army and the Confederate army around Vicksburg held out around Vicksburg held out for over a month under for over a month under severe conditions (people severe conditions (people dug into caves on the dug into caves on the riverbank and lived under riverbank and lived under constant shelling – eating constant shelling – eating river rats and chewing river rats and chewing leather when food ran out).leather when food ran out).

Finally, the Rebel army surrendered on July 2, Finally, the Rebel army surrendered on July 2, 1863. 1863.

Grant had no way to keep over 50,000 soldiers Grant had no way to keep over 50,000 soldiers prisoners, so he sent them home with a prisoners, so he sent them home with a promise not to fight again. Few kept that promise not to fight again. Few kept that promise. promise.

Turning Points in the warTurning Points in the warGettysburg, PAGettysburg, PAGeneral Robert E. Lee went into Northern General Robert E. Lee went into Northern

territory in Pennsylvania. He had 75,000 territory in Pennsylvania. He had 75,000 soldiers on this march north from Virginia. soldiers on this march north from Virginia.

The Confederate and Union armies fought The Confederate and Union armies fought for three days. More than 52,000 men for three days. More than 52,000 men died. Lee retreated with over 1/3 of his died. Lee retreated with over 1/3 of his army dead, including many of his army dead, including many of his generals. generals.

Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia – one of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia – one of the key Confederate fighting forces – the key Confederate fighting forces – never recovered from the losses. never recovered from the losses.

Later, President Lincoln delivered his Later, President Lincoln delivered his famous famous Gettysburg Address Gettysburg Address at a service to at a service to commemorate this battlefield as a commemorate this battlefield as a cemetery for all who died there. cemetery for all who died there.

Vicksburg and Gettysburg constituted the Vicksburg and Gettysburg constituted the virtual end of the Confederacy however virtual end of the Confederacy however fierce fighting continued for 2 more yearsfierce fighting continued for 2 more years