Unit Two – “First Blood”

1. Unit Two – “First Blood” American Civil War Events in 1861

2. Remainder of Chapter 8 – Fort Sumter Fort Sumter – nearing completion in 1861, undergarrisoned. Fort Moultrie was indefensable from land attack, very weak. Robert Anderson commanded both forts, slaveholder from Kentucky. Buchanan would not surrender the garrison, or reinforce it either. Anderson moves to Fort Sumter without orders, Buchanan’s cabinet is critical of the move. Cabinet changes, possibly reinforcement in spring? The Star of the West – January 9, fired upon, withdraws with 200 reinforcements, supplies. Fort Pickens (Pensacola, FL) also remains status quo.

3. Remainder of Chapter 8 – Fort Sumter

4. Remainder of Chapter 8 – Fort Sumter Pierre G.T. Beauregard – commands all CS forces in Charleston Jefferson Davis sends diplomats to demand the two forts. What are Lincoln’s two choices? Results of each choice? Lincoln has to decide soon, because supplies are running low. Winfield Scott advised a pull out. Resupply wasn’t possible. Seward also wanted to give up, opened secret negotiations with CSA 5-1-1 cabinet vote for surrender. Lincoln ignores advisors, reinforced Pickens, looks at plan for Sumter. Cabinet approves.

5. Remainder of Chapter 8 – Fort Sumter But Seward starts to divert supplies from the two forts. Put out a plan to essentially declare war on Spain and France. Seward hoped to unite the US against a common foe. Lincoln: NO Lincoln specifically tells SC governor that resupply only will happen, not reinforcement. Lincoln will not fire the first shot. Davis is also under heavy pressure, “Fire Eaters” are clamoring for action. Upper South won’t secede (ex. Virginia) unless shooting starts. Some Confederates were worried about lower South coming back into the Union.

6. Remainder of Chapter 8 – Fort Sumter South decides to attack before the supply fleet arrived. April 12 – 33 hour bombardment begins. Sumter does not fire back. US soldiers take cover, none seriously hurt. Anderson surrenders next day. Supply ship does not make it in time. Lincoln calls for 75,000 men to serve 90 days, US army too small Northern Response? Stephen Douglas Response? Southern Response?

7. Remainder of Chapter 8 – Fort Sumter

8. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma The Upper South (eight states) contains: -half its population -half its horses & mules -2/3 of its white population -3/5 of its livestock and food stores -¾ of its industrial capacity (Tredegar Iron Works) None of these states answer Lincoln’s call for troops. Some defiant. John Bell urged Tennessee secession. Lincoln’s call for troops was the motive for most Upper South states to secede, not Ft. Sumter.

9. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Harpers Ferry, Gosport Naval Yard (Norfolk) seized. Arsenal machinery repaired, shipped south. Some US ships seized as well. USS Merrimack? 1200 cannons seized from the state. Virginia secedes 88-55, no votes are from Western Va. Capital is moved to Richmond – partially symbolic, but important. Virginia brought prestige to the South, great leaders (Lee, Jackson) Robert E. Lee – had spoken against secession. Was offered command of Union army. “I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children.” Lee later accepted VA command.

10. Robert E. Lee, 1864 Robert E. Lee, circa 1857

11. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Some Union officers remained loyal to the US: George Thomas, David Farragut, and John Gibbon. Some prominent northerners also switched sides because of marriage to southern women: Samuel Cooper (adjutant general), Gen. John Pemberton and Josiah Gorgas (chief of ordinance).

12. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Arkansas and North Carolina both secede by state convention. Tennessee - adopted “A Declaration of Independence” and had the people vote in a referendum. 66% in favor, but the Eastern part of the state ominously voted no. Why? Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri do not secede, but it is very close there.

13. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Maryland had a pro-Union governor. Baltimore loved CSA, mayor incited mob violence. 6thMass was attacked on April 19, several dead. Mobs controlled Baltimore for weeks. New US regiments had to go through Annapolis to get to D.C. Pro-Union regiments raised in the west of the state, Lincoln suspends Writ of Habeas Corpus John Merryman– put in Ft. McHenry, Taney orders him released. Lincoln says NO – Lincoln quote? Mayor of Baltimore, MD legislators also arrested. Things calm down.

14. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma John Merryman Fort McHenry, prison cell

15. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Missouri – Gov. Claiborne Jackson– pro-CSA. Raised militia, but he has no weapons for his men. St. Louis arsenal, defended by Nathaniel Lyon(pro-North) Weapons moved to Alton, IL at night, some kept back to arm German militias (all pro-North), commanded by Lyon. Rioting breaks out in St. Louis, dozens killed or wounded. Lyon takes control of St. Louis, moves against Jackson’s militia. Jackson and his forces flee St. Louis, retreat toward Arkansas. Lyon’s “army” advanced all the way to Springfield, he becomes a hero.

16. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Claiborne Jackson Nathaniel Lyon

17. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Missouri falls into full-scale guerrilla war – lots of pro-CSA bands led by “partisan rangers”, nothing more than homicidal killers. CSA - Bloody Bill Anderson, George Todd, William Quantrill USA - James Lane, James Montgomery, Charles Jennison US continues political control of the state, declares all state offices open, moves govt. to St. Louis. Countryside is too dangerous for most people, so it empties. A majority of whites fought for union, Gov. Jackson is in exile.

18. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Kentucky – More evenly divided, about 40% confederate. Declared strict neutrality – at a strategic crossroads, so both sides respected this. However both sides would try to violate this at a future date. Kentucky tries to promote compromise, but nobody listened. They traded a lot with Tennessee, and also Ohio. Lincoln allowed this to continue. Lincoln did shut down Ohio river trade, and later started a “land blockade”. After 1861 elections go for the North, Lincoln becomes more aggressive. Camps are organized in Ohio, rifles smuggled into the state.

19. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Columbus, KY– on a strategic bluff above the Mississippi. Leonidas Polk(CS general) seized it before Grant could get it. Builds fort. Kentucky’s legislature outraged, and declares for the Union. Ulysses S. Grantseizes Paducah, builds his own fort.

20. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Beriah Magoffin(Gov.) leaves the state, so does John Breckinridge. Kentucky is “admitted” as the 13th CSA state (along with Missouri), but their entire govt. is in exile. The war in KY is truly a “brother’s war”, with families split down the middle like Breckinridge,Clay,Crittenden,Mary Todd Lincoln.

21. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Delaware does not seriously consider or debate secession. Why not?

22. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Western Virginia– 35 counties held ¼ of state’s population, but hardly any blacks lived there (too mountainous for plantations). Culture and economy resembled Ohio/Pennsylvania, not Virginia. Felt discriminated due to unequal tax assessments, public spending. Wheeling, WV– new govt. organized there in June, voted to stay in Union. Why Wheeling? Wheeling sent reps. to Washington, Lincoln accepts them. Wheeling waited until troops could be sent in to protect them, then they declared secession from Virginia.

23. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Area began to fill up with Union forces, to protect B&O RR, also controlled major cities like Charleston, Morgantown, Parkersburg. George McClellantook charge, seized Grafton (RR hub), commanded 20,000 soldiers. Confeds only had 4500 men, mostly guarding mtns. William Rosecranswins Battle of Rich Mountain, McClellan gets credit

24. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Lee arrives in August, 1861 with reinforcements to take back area. Lee’s men are sick, poorly armed and trained, foiled by bad weather. Lee is too poorly supplied to move on Charleston, ultimately retreats. “Granny Lee” is ridiculed by CS press, Western Virginia is abandoned. Conf. Partisans continue to fight, and Union has to keep 40K-50K troops in the area to pacify the population. Robert Milroywas very effective with his counter-guerrilla activities.

25. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma West Virginia(not Kanawha) applied for statehood in 1862. Congress stipulated they come in as free state or not at all. West Virginia institutes gradual emancipation (all over 25, or born after July 4, 1863) Becomes a state officially on that date.

26. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Eastern Tennessee– decides to try same course of action. Knoxville, Greenvilleare centers of unionist support. Area leaders are Andrew Johnson(Tenn. US Senator), William Brownlow(editor, clergyman) Bridge Burning encouraged, area plunges into civil unrest. No US troops can be sent into the area, too remote from Union. Nascent govt. collapsed, CS forces enter area and arrest hundreds. Sherman would not lead troops to Knoxville, so he is replaced.

27. Chapter 9 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma George Thomas tries to advance, but is stopped at Battle of Mill Springs. Many Unionists flee, join Kentucky regts. 30,000 whites fight for US. Border State Conclusions?

28. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Why did men in the North enlist? National Duty, National Pride “The question we fight to answer is whether a constitutional republic, or a democracy…can or cannot, maintain its territorial integrity, against its own domestic foes” - Lincoln Flag/Union/Constitution weren’t just abstract symbols to many. South also fought for symbols (State sovereignty) and a different Constitution. Davis claimed a “sacred right to self-government” “All we ask is to be let alone.” – Jefferson Davis What was the Chief War Aim and Strategy of CSA? DEFENSE against invasion. Homes and family had to be protected against Yankee invaders, at all costs.

29. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Southern Women – played a cheerleading role early in the war. Why did poor whites fight? Not to uphold slavery, but to defend their homes. Slavery complicates Southern strategy – How? Why? Removes the main reason for fighting the war Makes alliances with Europe more difficult Lincoln does not try to use slavery to his advantage – in 1861 – Why not? Border state loyalties were a worry and there was no public support for it.

30. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Military Readiness – US army was poor, disorganized, too small, too old, inefficient. Weaponry for both sides was rusty, outdated, too little of it, with no distribution plans. No maps available. Almost no ships to start a blockade. Gideon Welles, Gustavus Foxwere motivated US Navy leaders, had built or bought 260+ ships by 1861.

31. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Southern Navy had no shipyards or building capacity. Stephen Mallorywas a creative genius who built torpedo boats, used tugboats, underwater mines, first submarine, heavy investment in ironclads. USS Merrimack/CSS Virginia – world’s first ironclad. James Bulloch– CS navy negotiator in Britain, tries to purchase ships. Purchased CSS Florida, CSS Alabama, CSS Atlanta, ran weapons through blockade.

32. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma CS also turns to privateers (Pirates), to pull ships from blockade. Privateers were soon wiped out, and Lincoln threatened hanging of men captured. Since CS was being blockaded, this gave them legitimate belligerency status, and privateers could not be considered pirates under international law. Raphael Semmes– CSS Sumter, later CSS Alabama. Commerce Raider. South knew it couldn’t keep up with US Navy, didn’t really try. Why not?

33. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Southern men enthusiastically volunteer in 1861, more than North. Militia companies were bad and marching and fighting, good at drinking. Jeff Davis was an ex-Secretary of war and good at mobilization. All volunteers adopted for three years, official uniform color is gray. No supplies handed out, so everyone equipped themselves. Units were not standardized, some rich men sponsored their own units, and some were well armed (Hampton’s Legion), many were not.

34. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Confederacy could not supply any armies -- transportation was a problem. Also, they had no factories. Smuggling through blockade couldn’t resolve issues. CSA had shortages in everything for the whole war. Lucius Northup– Food supt., failed Josiah Gorgas– Ordinance supervisor, very skilled & inventive. CS demands in weapons are met in quantity, not necessarily quality. Thousands in South turned away at first due to lack of rifles. State militias were hoarding them. States rights was an obstacle, and state governors were obstinate.

35. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Simon Cameron– a horrible US Sec. of War, who was not only corrupt, but also inefficient. Lincoln called for more troops after the 75,000 initial call-up, with 3-year terms. Confusion in enlistment terms led to controversy later (90-day, 1, 2, 3, D) Cameron turned down some governors, accepted others. Arms purchased overseas by states, cities, individuals. Complete chaos in procurement.

36. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Women formed the US Sanitary Commission (USSC). No standard uniform at first (Zouaves) but later standardized (by 1863) War Profiteering – “Shoddy” goods. Overcharging, no competitive bids. Cameron fired, sent to Russia. Edwin Stanton– honest, efficient. Quartermaster Bureau (head - Montgomery Meigs) – tough job but did better than CSA. Provided everything except food and weapons. Standardized clothing sizes, still used today (shoes, hats, coats) Dog Tents – efficient but too small.

37. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Companies and Regiments were often from one community. Whole families joined – good and bad points to this? Strong sense of community/camaraderie Bad: casualties hit extra hard if in one town New volunteers were put in new units, not used as replacements. Why? New Patronage opportunities, chances to elect officers. Deadly results? Leaders often made too many mistakes, men died. Union armies began to use examining boards, dumped election system. Early on Southern officers were a little better, due to VMI, Citadel. But this advantage vanished by 1863.

38. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Political generals – appointed because of party, ethnic, or sectional loyalty. Usually not great but no worse than professional officers sometimes. Whole units were drunk, disorderly. Officers couldn’t or wouldn’t stop it. Some officers tried to improve, studied late at night. Hardee’s tactics. Most officers led by example, from the front. Likely to be killed. Generals had 50% greater chance of being killed than a private. Most learning done on battlefield, not training camps.

39. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Strategy – fluctuated according to the situation. Not taught at West Point as a course. Jomini (French), Mexico War experiences not valid. Real strategy driven by political factors, not theory. Public opinion is very important. Nobody knew how long the war would be, but it was a total war at end. Some thought it would be over quickly, but South was totally destroyed.

40. Chapter 10 – Facing Both Ways: The Upper South’s Dilemma Anaconda Plan – conceived by Winfield Scott, but ruled out since it would take too long. On to Richmond! – Irwin McDowell put in charge. He has too many “Green” troops/leaders. US has complicated war plan, CS troops allowed to combine. Southerners should have adopted defensive strategy, but they couldn’t. Governors want their states defended, no sharing of troops, resources.

41. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War US has a shortage of supply wagons, and 90-days’ regiments begin to leave. Joe Johnston/PGT Beauregard vs. Irwin McDowell. Roughly equal size, South located defensively behind Bull Run Creek. McDowell’s flank attack succeeds at first, rolls up Southern army. Confederates pushed back to Henry House Hill by afternoon, many are panicked and routed. Thomas J. Jackson’s brigade refused to yield, stood “like a stone wall” Mixups regarding flags and uniforms played a role. Units began to melt away from exhaustion and confusion.

43. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War Future leaders fought on both sides: Sherman, Howard, Stuart, Longstreet CS forces launched general assault at 6 pm, “Rebel yell” heard for 1st time. US army panics, routs off field in disorder. Stone Bridge route clogged. Officers, politicians joined the rout, all the way back to DC for some men. No pursuit possible, Confeds. too disorganized and damaged in victory. Equal casualties, bad weather hampered operations the next week.

44. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War No Union advances for the next eight months, US confidence damaged. South becomes overconfident, feels victory is inevitable. Union and Lincoln more determined than ever, calls up 1 million men. McClellan is put in charge of new army, “Army of the Potomac”. Strict discipline, officers removed, unit pride increased. Was winning the 1st battle of the war bad for the South? Why/why not?

45. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War Lincoln strengthens the blockade, fires older officers. Confederates attack Lyon at Wilson’s Creek and win, Lyon is killed. Union forces retreat, CS forces surge across Missouri. John Fremont is afraid to be fired, so he orders all slaves free, and declares martial law. Lincoln rescinds order, doesn’t want to lose the state, Fremont removed.

46. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War Abolitionists begin to get vocal, want to make the war about slavery. The argued “military necessity” – and were right. Lincoln disagreed. Ben Butler – declared freed slaves as “Contraband of war”, kept them. Some Republicans were upset with Lincoln. US Army harbored runaway slaves till 1862.

47. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War George McClellan – well educated, wealthy, handsome, arrogant, driven. Praise went to his head. Had never failed. Got Winfield Scott “retired”. McClellan overestimated CS army strength, afraid of counterattacks. Battle of Ball’s Bluff – failed US attack, Lincoln’s friend killed. McClellan was now attacked by Radical Republicans because he was a Democrat. Although Lincoln protected “Little Mac”, McClellan hated Lincoln, and was rude.

48. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War Jefferson Davis had his own problems – Albert Sidney Johnston was promoted to #1 general, followed by Lee (#2), Joe Johnston (#3), Beauregard (#4). Joe Johnston was angry, threatened resignation. Davis fought with everyone, and was different from Lincoln – he could not stand disagreement. Davis sent Beauregard away out west, away from politics and dealmaking. Kept Joe Johnston close by to watch over him.

49. Chapter 11 – Farewell to the Ninety Days’ War “Chase has no money, and the general of the army has typhoid fever. The bottom is out of the tub. What shall I do?” ~ Lincoln Times seemed dark for the Union, but things were about to get a whole lot better in the spring of 1862.