Union vs. Confederacy Overview 1861

The North (Union) had a larger population (22 million), more white men of military age, a greater industrial capacity, and more railroad track than the Confederacy (9 million, including slaves).

The North (Union) faced challenges of defending long supply lines and occupying conquered territories, limiting the number of troops they could commit to active combat.

The South (Confederacy), fighting defensively on interior lines, could move troops over shorter distances without needing railroads, while the North had to rely more heavily on supply lines and railroads.

The North's (Union) supply wagons often became stuck in poor Southern roads and weather, and horses and mules consumed supplies. They also had to move troops and supplies over large distances.

Southern troops, fighting on their home territory, had greater morale and relative advantages during the war, enabling them to fight harder and more effectively than the Union soldiers.

Rifles increased the range and accuracy of firearms, changing military tactics. Defenders could fire more rounds before being overwhelmed, and cavalry charges became less effective.

The increased use of rifles led to the widespread use of trenches for protection in the American Civil War.

Rifles made cavalry charges less effective, and both sides reduced the use of cavalry to reconnaissance and raids.

Successful surprise attacks drastically improved the chance of victory, and were sometimes achieved, even with some problems.

A Union strategy to blockade the southern coast and control the Mississippi River to isolate and defeat the Confederacy.

The Union's political parties, despite internal disagreements, were more unified than the Confederacy's during the Civil War.

A court order requiring the detainer of a prisoner to bring them to court and justify their detention. Lincoln suspended it to combat secessionists.

Slave states that remained in the Union during the Civil War. This included Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri.

Lincoln used military force and diplomatic pressure to keep border states from seceding, securing vital communication routes and resources.

A Supreme Court case where Chief Justice Taney ruled that Lincoln exceeded his authority in suspending habeas corpus. Lincoln ignored this.

The Civil War utilized railroads, telegraph, mass-produced weapons, and other new technologies. Also included iron-plated warships and rifled guns.

The Union had a larger population, more industrial capacity, and more railroads than the Confederacy, making it harder for the South to retaliate.

The Confederacy relied on fighting defensively, utilizing interior lines to move troops relatively quickly without railroads or long supply lines, which was a key part of their strategy.

Improved rifles, which could accurately hit targets at much greater distances, changed military tactics, which had been relying on close-range volleys, during the Civil War.

The Battle of Shiloh was a major Union victory in the Western Theater, solidifying their control of the Mississippi River. It was also the bloodiest battle in American history to that point, with a staggering number of casualties.

Rear Admiral David Farragut led a Union naval force to capture New Orleans, a key Confederate port, in April 1862. This victory severely weakened the Confederacy's ability to trade and supply its armies.

Volunteers from the West played a crucial role in the war, helping to push back the Confederates and also participating in conflicts with Native Americans.

Soldiers on both sides believed the war would transform them into men, where they would gain maturity through combat and hardship, and achieve 'manhood' through military service.

The harsh realities of war, like the stench of death, constant danger, and the discomfort of camp life, quickly shattered romanticized ideas of military glory.

General McClellan's plan to move the Army of the Potomac by water to the tip of the peninsula formed by the York and James Rivers and then move northwestward up the peninsula to Richmond.

McClellan's plan used water transport to reduce vulnerability of northern supply lines, threatened Southern supply lines, and aimed for Richmond to maneuver Confederates into a futile attack.

General Robert E. Lee, known for his courage and willingness to take risks, seized the initiative and launched an attack on McClellan's army.

A series of battles fought in the forests east of Richmond, resulting in a costly victory for the Confederacy despite heavy losses.

General Lee's bold move to cross the Potomac River and invade western Maryland in September 1862 to gain resources and threaten Washington.

A strategically important battle fought on September 17, 1862, where McClellan's army met Lee's forces, resulting in a tactical draw but a strategic victory for the North.

A war measure issued by President Lincoln after Antietam, freeing all slaves under rebel control.

General Ambrose Burnside's botched attempt to capture Fredericksburg in December 1862, leading to heavy Union casualties and a setback in the Eastern Theater.

The Western theater of the war, characterized by vast terrain, river access, and new leadership emerging under Ulysses S. Grant.

Ulysses S. Grant, a West Point graduate, had a checkered past, including a reputation for heavy drinking and failure in farming and business.

Trenches became increasingly common during the Civil War as soldiers sought protection from the increased accuracy of rifles. These trenches helped to protect defenders from withering rifle fire and were widely used by both sides.

The rise of rifles reduced the effectiveness of cavalry charges, as horses were vulnerable to rifle fire. Cavalry units were primarily relegated to reconnaissance missions and raids on supply trains.

Despite the changing tactics, surprise attacks remained a powerful tool in the Civil War. Achieving surprise allowed armies to outmaneuver their opponents and inflict significant casualties.

While rifles were deadly, historians argue that high casualty rates in the Civil War were primarily due to the prolonged duration of battles, not necessarily the increased lethality of weapons.

A withdrawing army was often considered the loser in a battle, but the losing side sometimes sustained fewer casualties than the supposed victor. Winning a battle didn't necessarily mean inflicting the most losses.

Victorious armies often had difficulty pursuing a defeated foe due to exhaustion, logistical constraints, and wounded soldiers. This limited their opportunities to capitalize on their victory.

Many generals concluded that the best defense was a good offense. This was due to the difficulty of exploiting victories and the continued effectiveness of surprise attacks.

The Anaconda plan, devised by Winfield Scott, called for a naval blockade of the South and an advance down the Mississippi River to isolate and subdue the Confederacy.

Early in the war, securing the border slave states like Kentucky and Missouri was a key priority for the Union. This led to campaigns in the Western theater, separate from the eastern theater where major battles occurred.