Key Individuals of the Civil War

1. Key Individuals of the Civil War Wyatt Robinson A1

2. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was a great American hero. His election led to the secession of the South. He wrote the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared freedom for all slaves. After the war, he gave the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history. He led the North to victory and preserved our Nation. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at a a play performance in 1865.

3. George McClellan George McClellan is not a very famous leader in the Civil War. He first joined the army to fight in the Mexican-American War. He wasn’t very popular and received criticism because of his patient attack strategies. After losing the Seven Days’ Battles and let Lee escape after the victory of the Battle of Anteitam, Lincoln took away his command because of his many delays. He later ran for president, but was easily defeated with only 21 electoral votes.

4. Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was very lazy in his schooling in his childhood. He graduated only 21st in his class of 39 cadets but learned a lot from his officers in the Mexican-American War. He made a name for himself by his skill in horsemanship. He became a great Union general. He fought hard in battle and was quickly noticed. He competed with Robert E. Lee for nearly the whole war. It is still debated about who was the better general. He later served two terms as the U.S. President.

5. Jefferson Davis Jefferson Davis was raised on the Mississippi frontier. He graduated from West Point and served in the army, where he became a hero. He was elected to U.S. Congress in 1845, and later a senator. When the South seceeded, he was elected President of the Confederacy. He didn’t raise much money to fight the war. He appointed the famous Robert E. Lee as commander of the Confederacy. He was put in prison after the war was over but was released on bail.

6. Robert E. Lee Robert E. Lee was the son of Major General Henry Lee III. He graduated from West Point 2nd in his class. He was one of the earliest generals in the Civil war. Lee was arguably the best general in the confederacy. He led many strategic battles. He suffered his worst defeat in the Battle of Gettysburg. He tried to resign afterwards, but Jefferson Davis wouldn’t let him. After the war, Lee was not arrested or punished, but was denied the right to vote and lost some property.