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May 16, 2008

The Civil War (1861-1865)

The Civil War is a something that is very important to study. Through our information we are just touching on a few of the battles as those can be researched. We thought it would be more interesting to give you some unusual facts about the war and the people who took part in it, some that you may not know about.

The Civil War was fought between the Northern (Union) and the Southern states (Confederates), within our own country. This war was also known as The War Between the States or The War of the Rebellion. The beginning was focused on slavery along with the states and their different contributions such as industry and farming. The north, with newly elected Lincoln whom was anti-slavery, while the south decided to take drastic measures to protect their interests. The southern states formed the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was chosen as the President for a six-year term of office. The capital was in Montgomery, Alabama. The southern states declared the amendments of the Constitution repealed and that the name "United States of America" be dissolved.

American fought against American, brother had literally fought against brother. They were the Blue Coats and the Gray Coats.

New technology ranged from weapons to cameras and telegraphs to tin cans. It also included the Gatling gun and the torpedo, and the first use of submarines. Railroads were invaluable for carrying men and supplies, and telegraphs improved communications faster than horseback. The machine gun and repeating rifle were used for the first time in battle.

Important things for the soldiers were their religion and letters from home. They cherished the letters even if they just got them by for that moment. Their religion gave them comfort and they could always count on a Chaplain to listen when they wanted to talk.

Union forces suffered approximately 360,000 killed, 282,000 wounded. Confederates armies lost approximately 258,000 killed, unknown number of wounded. This equals approximately 620,000 soldier deaths in four years time. This figure makes it the deadliest in American history. Sickness accounted for one-third of all casualties. This was the bloodiest and saddest war in American history.

1861: Few battles occurred during the Civil War in the first year.

• Robert E. Lee was offered command of the Union Army, he declined, he was more loyal to his state than to the Union.
• The war began on April 12th when the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter (South Carolina) with 50 cannons.
• The First Battle of Manassas or Bull Run occurs on July 21, 1861, by the Bull Run River outside of Manassas, Virginia.

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1862:

• General Grant said if he thought the war was to abolish slavery he would resign his commission.
• April 6-7: Battle of Shiloh is the first major bloodbath of the war. This battle devastates both sides, but the Union gains the upper hand.
• Thomas J. Jackson earns the nickname "Stonewall".

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1863:

• July 1-3 elements of the two armies clashed at Gettysburg, PA.
• Grant's sieges Vicksburg, allowing the Union to regain control of the Mississippi; after six weeks of siege, the Confederates surrender Vicksburg (July 4, 1863).
• November 19: Lincoln gives the Gettysburg address.

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1864:

• March, Grant is appointed head of the Armies of the United States.
• June 1-3: Battle of Cold Harbor
• June 15th Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground immediately surrounding it were designated officially as a military cemetery
• September 2, Sherman's forces take Atlanta and burn the city after evacuating its residents.
• September 7: Sherman orders the evacuation of the citizens of Atlanta and burns the city.
• December Sherman occupies Savannah.

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1865: The Confederacy is dying. Hunger is plaguing civilians and soldiers alike and getting ammunition is becoming more difficult.

• March 19: Beginning of the Appomattox campaign.
• May, Grant begins the campaign against Richmond the Confederate capitol, while Sherman begins his march to Atlanta, burning Confederate cities and supplies as he goes.
• April 3, Union forces occupy Richmond.
• April 7: Grant sends a letter to Lee asking him to surrender.
• April 9: Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House. Though some Confederate forces continue to fight until May, the Civil War is over.
• April 14: President Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth; Lincoln dies the next day. That same day the Federal flag is raised at Fort Sumter for the first times since the war began. Andrew Johnson becomes president
• May 26: the last Confederate force surrenders.

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Unusual and interesting facts on the Civil War:

• General Grant's wife owned slaves even at the war's end.
• Glasses with colored lenses were used to treat disorders and illness, yellow-tint were used to treat syphilis, blue for insanity, and pink for depression. Thus we get the term, To see the world through rose-colored glasses.
• During the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the only civilian to die was twenty-year-old Mary Virginia "Jennie" Wade, who was shot through the heart while making bread.
• General Stonewall Jackson never ate food that tasted good, because he assumed that anything that tasted good was completely unhealthy.
• George Custer became a General at age 23
• Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, wanted and ordered camels to provide transportation while waiting on the completion of the railroad. The camels were used for about two years with some success.
• Over 400 women disguised themselves as men and fought in the Civil War.
• Vice-President Andrew Johnson was on medication for a medical condition when he had to give his inaugural speech. He had been prescribed whiskey by his doctor and had exceeded the dosage. His speech was difficult to understand.