Opposing sides and the early war – Ch. 15, “Battle Cries and Freedom Songs,” pgs. 378-388
Overall main idea: By 1862, despite the North’s advantages in resources, the civil war was undecided as the Union was winning in the West and the Confederacy was winning in the East.
Mobilization, North and South
Main idea: Both the North and the South had to take great measures to prepare for war, reflecting their respective objectives and leaders.
The Confederacy did not have a national army or navy; only state militias which were more like social clubs than true military units
Few Union troops were stationed west of the Mississippi
War Fever
Main idea: While both sides eventually resorted to military drafts, their armies were originally made up of volunteers who joined for adventure, patriotism, and glory.
Both sides believed the war would end quickly; common saying: “It’ll be over in a month!”
Both sides turned their patriotism into hatred for their enemy
The Confederacy had the added difficulty of creation a solid nation while preserving beloved states’ rights, as well as raising an army and fighting a war
CS draft begins in 1862; US draft begins in 1863 – both allow for deferments and substitutions, prompting the phrase, “a rich man’s war but a poor man’s fight”
The North’s Advantages in Resources
Main idea: The North had greater resources for fighting a war than the South.
Population – US: 2.1 million troops were only 50% of total population available for military in the North; CS: 900,000 troops were 90% of Southern availability
Industrial capacity – US had 90% of pre-war manufacturing capacity; south had little
Railroads – US RR system was twice as large as the CS and much more efficient
Supplies – US troops were always well-supplied; CS troops were not outfitted as well, but did not lose significant battles from lack of supplies
Financing – US financing was more stable, using bonds, treasury notes (backed by gold and silver), paper money (“greenbacks”), and an income tax; CS financing was less stable, avoiding taxes, using bonds and extensive paper money
Leaders, Governments, and Strategies
Main idea: The Union and the Confederacy differed in leadership, government structure, and strategy to win the war.
Jefferson Davis vs. Abraham Lincoln –
Davis was experienced but aloof and uncompromising; he had to help create a whole new government in the CSA; he didn’t handle disagreement well
Lincoln was good at defusing tension and disagreement; he projected himself as one of the people; he already had an established government, army, resources, and diplomatic relations with other countries; he was well-spoken
The CSA viewed themselves as continuing the American Revolution, but had the same problem of creating a government that gave more power to states’ rights while being held solidly together as a confederation
The South only had to defend its territory; it wanted independence and the North had to take it from them
The North had to conquer the South to bring it back into the Union, before Northern support for the war was lost
The Early War
Main idea: The results of the war were inconclusive by 1862 as the Confederacy defended itself from being blockaded, divided and occupied by the Union.
First Bull Run
Main idea: The Confederate victory at First Bull Run boosted Southern confidence and destroyed the belief that the war would end quickly.
July 1861 – US attempted to drive toward Richmond and capture the confederate capital
“Stonewall” Jackson gets his name at this battle – “There stands Jackson like a stone wall!”
The War in the West
Main idea: The thinly-spread Confederate forces in the Western theater were divided by Union victories along the Mississippi River.
Fort Henry and Fort Donelson – key 1862 Union victories by Ulysses S. Grant; Tennessee mostly occupied by Union forces from this point forward
Union victories at Shiloh, Memphis, and New Orleans by 1863 left only the Vicksburg, MS area of the Mississippi River not controlled by Union forces
Reassessing the War: The Human Toll
Main idea: By 1862, American soldiers realized how bloody and destructive the war was.
More soldiers lost at Shiloh than in all American wars combined up to that point
Medical care was basic and rudimentary; little anesthetic was used, lots of amputations with little knowledge of sterilization
Women served as soldiers (rarely), nurses, cooks, launderers, camp followers, and prostitutes
Most deaths in the war were from disease, inc. typhoid, dysentery, gangrene and venereal diseases
The War in the East
Main idea: After the Union army cautiously pushed toward Richmond, Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army successfully defended their capital and defeated their opponents in the East.
McClellan was a great organizer but a cautious general
Robert E. Lee took command of the Confederate army in the East, pushing back McClellan then soundly defeating John Pope at the Second Battle of Bull Run
Lee’s army gained a reputation for success
Overall main idea: By 1862, despite the North’s advantages in resources, the civil war was undecided as the Union was winning in the West and the Confederacy was winning in the East.