The Civil War

1. The Civil War By: #21

2. Introduction • The Civil War killed more United States citizens than any other war in history • 11 Southern states formed the Confederacy • The Confederate attack on Fort Sumpter started the Civil war

3. The Union Vs. the Confederate Army • Each army had specific uniforms • Union solders wore blue uniforms, while the Confederate army wore gray uniforms • Both armies were led by famous generals • General Robert E. Lee turned down an offer to lead the Union army, and led the Confederate forces instead

4. The Battle Of Gettysburg • Considered the turning point of the war • Battle raged on for several days • 15,000 Confederate soldiers died in an attack lead by Confederate General Pickett • Casualties were high on both sides

5. Military Tactics and Technology • Civil war used modern war technologies, for example rifles vs. muskets • This allowed soldiers to kill from a great distance • Pointed bullets punched through targets more effectively • Armies fought for the high ground and from ditches

6. Confederate Steam Machine Gun • The Confederate army was working on a technology for a machine gun • The machine gun was powered by steam and fired two ounce musket balls • A spring loaded gate kept the balls from firing too early • A tub protected the user from being shot by the gun tub

7. Combat Conditions • Combat conditions were very harsh! • Often, soldiers couldn’t see the enemy due to smoke on the field of battle • Sights and smells were horrible • Despite these dangers, some eagerly signed up

8. Medical Care • Patients had to wait days or months for treatment • Doctors had simple instruments to use • Medicine was scarce • Splints keep broken bones from moving • Confederates used bark for splints • Treated diarrhea with Geranium flowers

9. Food And Drink • Soldiers had to carry food that wouldn’t spoil • Usually ate pork or beef that was pickled in salt water • Food had to be soaked in water for hours • Ate cakes of dried onions, carrots, beans, and turnips. • Had to forage for fresh food and water

10. Conditions on the Home Front • Draft was mandatory in the North • Some could pay $300 and not be drafted • Draft riots broke out, over 100 people died. • In the South, food and goods shortages were widespread

11. From Gettysburg to Appomattox • In the West, the Union armies led by Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Vicksburg • Fort Vicksburg was an important fort, overlooking the Mississippi river. • This split the Confederacy in half. • In 1864 Grant was appointed to lead all the Union armies. • On April 9th, 1865 the Confederacy surrendered to the Union at the Appomattox court house.

12. Conclusion • On April 9th, 1865 the Civil War come to an end, after 4 long years of fighting. • The Union allowed Confederate soldiers to return home. • War torn cities began to be rebuilt. • The United States began to be re-united.