The Opposing Sides

1. The Opposing Sides

2. Fort Sumter - April 10, 1861: Brig. Gen. Beauregard demands surrender of the Union garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. - Garrison commander Anderson refused. - On April 12, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort, which was unable to reply effectively. - At 2:30 pm, April 13, Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter.

3. Fort Sumter -The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of the American Civil War. - Although there were no casualties during the bombardment, one Union artillerist was killed and three wounded (one mortally) when a cannon exploded prematurely while firing a salute during the evacuation on April 14.

4. Robert E. Lee – offered command • of Union troops • considered slavery a “moral and • and political evil” • “I cannot raise my hand against • my birthplace, my home, my • children.” • resigned from Army, services to • the Confederacy

5. 1860 – U.S. had 8 military colleges, 7 were in the South • trained officers to lead armies Virginia Military Institute – 1839 (first state military college)

6. The Citadel - 1842

7. Advantages and Disadvantages • 1860 – population of the North • was 22 million…South 9 million • larger percentage had to fight • in the South, fewer people • working to support war

8. 1860 – 80% of nation’s factories were in the North • 90% of clothing, boots, and shoes • firearms

9. South grew great quantities of rice and corn…distribution? • South had half as many miles of RR track as the North • Memphis to Chattanooga – only line that connected the western Confederate states to the east • easy for the North to disrupt rail system

11. Best hope for South to raise money…tax trade • Union Navy blockaded Southern ports • South began taxing its people, resentment

12. Politics in the North • President Lincoln had several groups to deal with politically • War Democrats – supported conflict, restore Union • Peace Democrats – opposed war, reunite states through negotiation (Rep. referred to them as Copperheads after the venomous snake)

13. 1862 – Congress legalized conscription – forcing people into military service

14. To enforce conscription, Lincoln suspended writs of habeas corpus • no imprisonment without being charged with a crime and given a trial • when writs are suspended, people can be imprisoned without trial • people who supported the rebels or resisted the draft

15. Can Confederates get Britain or France on board? • cotton for textile mills • James Mason to Britain, John Slidell to France • got past Union blockade and went to Cuba • boarded British ship Trent • Charles Wilkes, captain of the Union warship • San Jacinto, intercepted ship • Mason and Slidell arrested, eventually released • Trent Affair failed to gain diplomatic support for South

16. Military Technology and Tactics organize troops in tight columns, go on the offensive

17. firing of massed volleys charge and attack with bayonets

18. avoid large battles, do not risk heavy losses • defensive war of attrition • perhaps Union might negotiate The South’s Strategy

19. The Union’s Anaconda Plan • blockade Southern ports, isolate Confederacy from European aid • cut off supplies • control the Mississippi River • divide east and west • capture New Orleans, Vicksburg, and Memphis