The American Civil War: Key Events and Leaders

Sep 19, 2024

Lecture Notes: The American Civil War in 1864-1865

Overview

  • The Civil War had been ongoing since 1861, with both the North (Union) and the South (Confederacy) suffering significant losses and hardships.
  • By January 1864, the war was in stalemate, with the South struggling with manpower and resources.

Military Developments

Confederate Challenges

  • The South extended the draft to include men aged 17 to 50 due to dwindling manpower.
  • Confederate forces were suffering from hyperinflation, shortages, and an effective Union blockade.
  • The South's strategy shifted to defending territory and hoping to break Northern will.

Union Command

  • Abraham Lincoln faced political challenges and sought an effective military leader.
  • Ulysses S. Grant was appointed as Lieutenant General and given command of all Union forces.
  • Grant's strategy focused on total war and pinning down Confederate forces.

Key Battles

Battle of the Wilderness (May 1864)

  • Intense, chaotic fighting in dense woods near Chancellorsville.
  • Neither side gained a decisive victory, with 28,000 casualties.

Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse (May 1864)

  • Notable for trench warfare and intense combat.
  • The Union failed to breach Confederate defenses but inflicted heavy casualties.

Cold Harbor (June 1864)

  • Union forces suffered heavy losses in a failed attack on well-entrenched Confederate positions.
  • Grant later expressed regret over the costly assault.

Siege of Petersburg (June 1864 - April 1865)

  • Lee's forces fortified Petersburg, leading to a prolonged siege by Union forces.
  • A critical opportunity for a quick Union victory was missed.

Political and Social Context

Lincoln's Re-election

  • 1864 was an election year; Lincoln faced opposition, particularly from the Democrats.
  • George B. McClellan ran against Lincoln, advocating peace with the Confederacy.
  • Lincoln's re-election was bolstered by Union victories, such as Sherman's capture of Atlanta.

Sherman's March to the Sea

  • General Sherman led a destructive campaign from Atlanta to Savannah, employing total war tactics.
  • The march weakened Southern morale and resources significantly.

End of the War

Appomattox Courthouse (April 1865)

  • Lee surrendered to Grant, symbolizing the end of Confederate resistance.
  • The terms were generous, allowing Confederate soldiers to return home with their horses.

Lincoln's Assassination (April 1865)

  • President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer.
  • Lincoln's death was the final tragic note in the Civil War.

Conclusion

  • The Civil War resulted in enormous loss of life and economic destruction, particularly in the South.
  • It marked a turning point in U.S. history, setting the stage for Reconstruction and ongoing racial tensions.

Note: The lecture highlighted the complex interplay of military, political, and social factors during the Civil War, emphasizing the decisive actions of key leaders and the enduring impact of the conflict.