11.1
The Civil War Begins
The secession of Southern states led to armed conflict between the North and South.
The nation's identity was significantly shaped by the Civil War.
Key Individuals and Battles:
Fort Sumter
Anaconda Plan
Bull Run
Stonewall Jackson
George McClellan
Ulysses S. Grant
Shiloh
David G. Farragut
Monitor
Merrimack
Robert E. Lee
Antietam
Early Events Leading to Civil War
April 18, 1861: Major Robert Anderson, a 35-year army veteran, was aboard the federal supply ship Baltic, anchored off New Jersey.
He wrote a report to the Secretary of War detailing his command at Fort Sumter.
Personal Voice - Robert Anderson:
"Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, … four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, I accepted terms of evacuation and marched out of the fort, with colors flying and drums beating and saluting my flag with fifty guns."
The flag saluted by Anderson was the Stars and Stripes; it was soon replaced by the Confederate flag, the Stars and Bars.
The Confederacy's attack on Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the Civil War.
The Confederacy Forms and the Northern Response
On February 4, 1861, the seven southernmost states that seceded formed the Confederate States of America.
Confederate soldiers began seizing federal properties like courthouses and forts, leaving only two in Union control before Lincoln's inauguration.
The crucial fort was Fort Sumter located in Charleston harbor.
Lincoln's Dilemma:
Faced with demands for surrender from Anderson, Lincoln had to choose between:
Sending navy support, risking the initiation of hostilities.
Ordering withdrawal from the fort, which would legitimize the Confederacy.
Lincoln opted to send food to the fort rather than reinforcements, leaving the decision to Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederacy).
The First Shots of the Civil War
Jefferson Davis opted for war, ordering an attack on Fort Sumter at 4:30 A.M. on April 12, leading to a bombardment that ended with Anderson's surrender after more than 4,000 rounds fired.
The fall of Fort Sumter galvanized support in the North, leading Lincoln to call for 75,000 volunteers. The response included:
Iowa's volunteers far exceeding expectations (20 times the state's quota).
Virginia Secedes:
On April 17, Virginia seceded, unwilling to fight against fellow Southern states.
This was a significant loss for the Union due to Virginia's population and industries, including vital ironworks and navy yard.
Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina seceded subsequently, increasing Confederate states to 11.
Some western counties in Virginia opposed slavery and seceded from Virginia, forming West Virginia in 1863.
The remaining slave states (Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri) stayed in the Union despite significant Confederate sympathies among their citizens.
Motivations for War
Most Union troops viewed the war as a means to preserve the Union.
Many Confederate soldiers saw their fight as defending the South against Northern aggression.
Initial Expectations and Military Strategies
Both Northerners and Confederates anticipated a quick victory, often viewing the start of the conflict with a sense of glory.
Union Strengths:
Larger population, greater industrial capacity, more food production, extensive rail networks.
Lincoln as a decisive leader.
Confederate Strengths:
Notable generals, strong military tradition, motivated soldiers, and economic reliance on cotton.
Challenges arose due to the Southern emphasis on states' rights, resulting in resistance to centralizing the government for war efforts.
Union Strategy (Anaconda Plan):
Blockade Southern ports to curtail cotton exports and imports of goods.
Use armies and riverboats to split the Confederacy by controlling the Mississippi River.
Capture Richmond, the Confederate capital.
The Battle of Bull Run
July 21, 1861: The first major battle occurred at Bull Run, where about 30,000 inexperienced Union soldiers faced an equally inexperienced Confederate army.
General McDowell was instructed to attack despite the inexperience of his troops.
The battle swung back and forth; Union troops initially took the lead but lost morale due to confident Confederate responses, particularly from General Stonewall Jackson, leading to Confederate victory.
Impact of Bull Run:
The aftermath led to a chaotic retreat of Union soldiers back toward Washington and shattered Northern expectations of a short war.
Confederate morale rose, with many soldiers assuming the war was won.
Response to Bull Run and Early Union Strategy
Following the defeat at Bull Run, Lincoln sought to enlist 500,000 men for three years (not just three months).
Appointed General George McClellan to command a new Union army, the Army of the Potomac.
Campaign in the West
Forts Henry and Donelson:
In February 1862, Grant led a Union invasion in Tennessee, capturing both forts in short succession and earning the nickname "Unconditional Surrender Grant" for his uncompromising demands.
Battle of Shiloh:
April 6, 1862: Confederate forces launched a surprise attack near Shiloh. Union troops suffered significantly initially but regrouped and counterattacked.
The battle resulted in substantial casualties, signaling the bloody nature of the war and confirmation that strategic planning and fortifications would be essential for future engagements.
Farragut's Naval Campaign
As Grant pushed toward the Mississippi, Admiral David G. Farragut led a naval fleet to capture New Orleans, successfully entering on April 24, 1862.
Capturing New Orleans and other key locations enabled the Union to further close in on Southern states and isolate resources.
Technological Advancements
The introduction of ironclad ships changed naval warfare and facilitated significant military strategies.
The Ironclad Duel:
On March 9, 1862, the North's Monitor and the South's Merrimack fought in an iconic confrontation marking the end of wooden ships in combat.
New Weapons:
The rifle and minie ball increased lethality and changed military tactics, leading to defensive advantages when utilized behind cover.
The Campaign for Richmond and Leadership Challenges
As McClellan delayed his advance on Richmond, he was criticized for excessive caution while his troops waited.
The Confederate army, under the newly appointed General Robert E. Lee, successfully countered McClellan's advances in a series of battles known as the Seven Days' Battles.
Battle of Antietam:
On September 17, 1862, the conflict became the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, leading to high casualties without decisive victory for either side.
McClellan's inaction after the battle resulted in Lincoln dismissing him, amid rising tensions with Britain and pressures from abolitionists.
Notable Terms and Names
Fort Sumter: The site of the first shots of the Civil War, symbolizing the start of hostilities.
Anaconda Plan: Union strategy aimed at blockade and division of the Confederacy.
Bull Run: The first major battle resulting in a Confederate victory, highlighting misjudgments about war duration.
Stonewall Jackson: A Confederate general known for his rallying cry and effective combat strategies.
George McClellan: Union general known for his organizational skills but criticized for hesitance in active engagements.
Ulysses S. Grant: A prominent Union general noted for decisive actions and bold strategies.
Shiloh: A crucial battle highlighting the high casualty rates and the need for trench warfare tactics.
David G. Farragut: Union naval commander instrumental in seizing key Southern ports.
Monitor: Union ironclad ship, pivotal in changing naval warfare.
Merrimack: Confederate ironclad that fought Monitor in a significant naval battle.
Robert E. Lee: Confederate general, known for his tactical genius and leadership.
Antietam: The bloodiest single-day battle with significant casualties, pivotally impacting the war's direction.
SUmmary
The Civil War Begins
Secession of Southern states → armed conflict North vs South
Civil War shapes nation's identity
Early Events Leading to Civil War
April 18, 1861: Major Robert Anderson aboard federal supply ship Baltic
Report to Secretary of War: command details at Fort Sumter
Anderson's Personal Voice: 34 hours defense → terms of evacuation accepted
Star-Spangled Banner replaced by Stars and Bars (Confederate flag)
Attack on Fort Sumter → beginning of Civil War
The Confederacy Forms and the Northern Response
February 4, 1861: 7 southern states secede → form Confederate States of America
Confederate soldiers seize federal properties → only 2 in Union control pre-inauguration
Fort Sumter crucial → located in Charleston harbor
Lincoln's Dilemma:
Demand for Anderson's surrender
Options: Send navy support (risk hostilities) or withdraw (legitimize Confederacy)
Decision: Send food supply instead of reinforcements
The First Shots of the Civil War
Jefferson Davis orders attack on Fort Sumter → bombardment begins April 12
Anderson surrenders after 4,000 rounds
Fall of Fort Sumter → galvanizes Northern support
Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers
Iowa volunteers exceed expectations (20 times quota)
April 17: Virginia secedes → unwilling to fight fellow Southern states
Loss for Union: Virginia's population & industries important
Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina follow secession → total 11 Confederate states
Western counties in Virginia oppose slavery → form West Virginia in 1863
Motivations for War
Union troops: preserve the Union
Confederate soldiers: defend South against Northern aggression
Initial Expectations and Military Strategies
Quick victory anticipated by both sides
Union Strengths:
Larger population
Greater industrial capacity
More food production
Extensive rail networks
Lincoln's decisiveness
Confederate Strengths:
Notable generals
Strong military tradition
Motivated soldiers (economic reliance on cotton)
Challenges: Southern states' rights → resistance to centralizing government for war
Union Strategy (Anaconda Plan):
Blockade Southern ports
Split Confederacy by controlling Mississippi River
Capture Richmond (Confederate capital)
The Battle of Bull Run
July 21, 1861: First major battle at Bull Run
30,000 inexperienced Union vs inexperienced Confederate
General McDowell attacks → initial Union lead
Confederate responses regain morale → victory for Confederates
Impact: Chaotic Union retreat → shattered Northern expectations of short war
Confederate morale boosts → soldiers assume war is won
Response to Bull Run and Early Union Strategy
Defeat at Bull Run → Lincoln enlists 500,000 men for 3 years
General George McClellan appointed to lead new Union army
Campaign in the West
Fort Henry & Donelson: February 1862, Grant's invasion → both forts captured
Grant earns nickname: Unconditional Surrender Grant
Battle of Shiloh: April 6, 1862 → surprise Confederate attack
Initial Union casualties → troops regroup & counterattack
High casualties → signals bloody nature of war
Farragut's Naval Campaign
Grant pushes towards Mississippi → Admiral David G. Farragut's fleet captures New Orleans
Success → Union isolates Southern states/resources
Technological Advancements
Ironclads change naval warfare
Ironclad Duel: March 9, 1862 → Monitor vs Merrimack → end of wooden ships
New Weapons: Rifle & minie ball → increased lethality → defensive tactics behind cover
The Campaign for Richmond and Leadership Challenges
McClellan criticized for delaying advance on Richmond
General Robert E. Lee counters McClellan in Seven Days' Battles
Battle of Antietam: September 17, 1862 → bloodiest single-day battle
High casualties without decisive victory → McClellan's inaction leads to dismissal