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First Phase of War-April 1861 to December 1862

Lincoln realized he had to wage an offensive war. To prove he was decisive and that the CSA didn’t exist. Needed a quick victory to keep the Border States in and maintain Union unity. Question was how to do this? Scott developed Anaconda Plan. Blockade South.

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First Phase of War-April 1861 to December 1862

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  1. Lincoln realized he had to wage an offensive war. To prove he was decisive and that the CSA didn’t exist. Needed a quick victory to keep the Border States in and maintain Union unity. Question was how to do this? Scott developed Anaconda Plan. Blockade South. Contain CSA along its frontiers. Gain control of the Mississippi. Divide and conquer smaller and smaller areas of the CSA. Lincoln viewed plan as sound, problems: Needed a large navy for 3500 miles of coast. Needed large supply of trained troops, officers and weapons. Plan not feasible in Spring of 1861-Radical Republicans fear plan is to good and will not involve emancipation. First Phase of War-April 1861 to December 1862

  2. May 21, 1861: CSA had moved capital to Richmond. Montgomery to hot. Symbolic importance of Virginia (Presidents). Strengthen defense of Tredegar Iron Works. Area was a military nightmare: rivers, swamps, forests, etc. (good for defense). By Summer of 1861, Lincoln had to put army into the field. Initial force of 75,000 were reaching end of 90 day enlistments. Public wanted a quick victory (cries of “On to Richmond”). Still afraid of looking indecisive to Border States. Clear that first battle would take place in Northern Virginia between Washington and Richmond.

  3. June of 1861, Lincoln ordered U.S. troops under General Irwin McDowell to begin an offensive thrust toward Richmond; 35,000 ill-trained troops begin march. Terrain very rough. No topographical maps existed. Made worse because of poorly trained troops. 1st Battle of Bull Run(1st Manassas)

  4. July 21, 1861, Armies collided at Manassas Gap, Virginia. Textbook lesson in defensive warfare. Joseph E. Johnston linked up 12,000 soldiers from the Shenandoah Valley with P.G.T.Beauregard. Battle started out strong for Union, began to turn, and by end of the day the Union Army was completely routed. Major CS victory, but they were unable to follow up as both armies were emotionally and physically used up.

  5. “Stonewall” Jackson emerged as a great CS commander. Had a sobering effect on both sides. US-convinced Congress that they could not win with 90 day troops. Called up 500,000 volunteers for 3 years service. CS-they believe war was won, that they were superior and US would concede. Unprepared for “stubbornness” of the Union. Results of the Battle

  6. Lincoln reorganized the Union Command structure (will repeat this process for next 3 years). McDowell, becomes the scapegoat (was probably a competent general). Replaced by General George Brinton McClellan.

  7. Was a rising young star. Was a West Point graduate, Mexican War veteran and at the beginning of the war had won some minor victories in western Virginia. Initially he appeared to be a sound choice because he was a great administrative general. He created the Army of the Potomac and instilled pride in that organization. Selection of McClellan-extremely controversial

  8. In reality he was a poor choice because he came with many liabilities. Inflated self-importance: pictured himself as savior of the Union. Absolute disaster as a field general: so cautious he was indecisive. Relied heavily on intelligence from Pinkerton Detective Agency: they make huge mistakes in the calculation of CSA troop numbers. Extremely secretive: did not trust anyone, including Lincoln. Was a Conservative Democrat who the Radical Republicans did not want to see succeed. Was against emancipation, enforced the Fugitive Slave Law and antagonized forces within the Republican Party. From summer of 1861 to winter of 1862, the constant report from him was “all quiet on the Potomac”-no one knew when he was going to move.

  9. How to implement it? (3,500 miles of coast) In 1861, the navy had 264 ships, many unfit for duty. Realized the need for new steam powered ships that were quick, mobile and had a low draft. Steam power was a major liability, navy needed 5,000 tons of coal a week. Had to find 2 areas in the Atlantic and 2 in the Caribbean for coaling stations. Union Blockade

  10. Up to 1863, the blockade was only partially successful. Because of huge gaps, CSA exploited it using blockade runners (up to 68% may have been successful). Most of the items transported were luxury goods: lighter and had a higher resale value than heavier industrial and military goods needed. Blockade was not successful because of the number of runners that got through, but was successful because it did prevent NEEDED items from getting through.

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