Unit IV two-part questions

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Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

5. Evaluate the strengths of the U.S. military during major military encounters.

7. Evaluate differences in the U.S. military during times of peace and war.

Reading Assignment Chapter 6: The Civil War, 1861–1862, pp. 142–180 This article from the CSU Online Library discusses the importance of diplomats and admirals during the Civil War at sea. In order to access the resource below, you must first log into the myCSU Student Portal and access the Academic Search Complete database within the CSU Online Library. Carroll, F. M. (2010). Diplomats and the Civil War at sea. Canadian Review of American Studies, 40(1), 117–

130. This article from the CSU Online Library discusses the role of Confederate political leaders during the Civil War. In order to access the resource below, you must first log into the myCSU Student Portal and access the Academic Search Complete database within the CSU Online Library. Neely, M. E. (2004). Was the Civil War a total war? Civil War History, 50(4), 434–458.

Unit Lesson

The Civil War created a large central government on both sides of the conflict in order to mobilize and maintain an army of the size that would be required. Nothing less than an intense, prolonged fight would settle the conflict. There could be no compromise because the objectives of each side denied any such possibility. The North fought for preservation of the Union and for emancipation of slaves, while the South fought for independence and the preservation of their peculiar institution. The Civil War created a large central government on both sides of the conflict in order to mobilize and maintain an army of the size that would be required. Nothing less than an intense, prolonged fight would settle the conflict. There could be no compromise because the objectives of

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE

The Civil War, 1861–1862

The attack on Fort Sumter (Historical Perspective, n.d.)

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each side denied any such possibility. The North fought for preservation of the Union and for emancipation of slaves, while the South fought for independence and the preservation of their peculiar institution. Torn by the Civil War, the United States stood on unequal ground for making war. The North had a greater population, an increased amount of industry, better railroad development, and most importantly, more money. While lacking these important elements to war, the South had the advantage of fighting for what they believed were their liberties, thus uniting Southern people in a way the North could not. The South also had the good fortune of a number of excellent commanders. In the end, however, commanders could not overcome the geographic and demographic disadvantages the South faced. The men who would shape the war and thus the history of the nation began to emerge. Some men, such as Scott and Johnson, would put the welfare of the nation above that of their states and serve the Union. However, many men would be unable to make such a commitment and would resign their posts and serve the Confederacy. Since the creation of the first American political parties, the question of federal versus state power had plagued the country. These men would answer this question differently, but ultimately, the fate of the war would forever decide this question for the nation. While these early battles were often Confederate victories, the textbook simultaneously outlines the events that led to the South’s ultimate defeat. The first land battle of the Civil War occurred at Bull Run or what the Confederates called Manassas. This was fought at Manassas Junction on Bull Run creek. Union General Irvin McDowell had never commanded troops before and was content to continue training and drilling his 35,000 men on the outskirts of Washington, DC. McDowell’s battle plan almost worked to defeat the Confederates except for a heroic stand by General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson who stood like a “stone wall” on Henry House Hill and drove back the Union troops. This first battle ended in Union troops streaming back into Washington in full retreat. The casualty figures for this first engagement were small compared to later tragic losses, but it set the tone and alarmed both sides that the conflict would become a long and bloody struggle. At Bull Run, the Union had 3,000 casualties and the South another 2,000. On both sides, previous career soldiers with West Point resumes led the way. Perhaps the most famous was

General Robert E. Lee who had a solid record during the Mexican-American War and led the troops that captured John Brown in 1859 after his raid at Harper’s Ferry; following these accomplishments, Lee refused the offer to command the Union Army and returned to serve the Confederate cause after Virginia seceded from the Union. In all, there were 313 former regular Army officers and over 300 Navy officers that went over to serve for the South.

The first battle of Bull Run (Kuez & Allison, 1889)

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However, this was a war unlike any the nation had previously seen. More than ever, popular support was a necessary factor in the war effort. This support was often gained by utilizing leaders who were not trained military commanders. In the tradition of previously non-career commanders, such as Taylor and Jackson, men such as Prentiss and Forrest admirably served their nation. Benjamin Prentiss only had previous militia

experience before serving as a general for the Union; however, he is credited with preserving a Union victory at Shiloh in 1862 in what was one of the deadliest battles of the War. Although he surrendered after heavy fighting at the “Hornet’s Nest,” Prentiss is credited with holding the Southern troops up long enough for General Grant to counterattack and win the battle. The South had Nathan Bedford Forrest who returned to his native Virginia and enlisted as a private in the Confederate States Army with the mounted rifles and was to become one of the leading cavalry officers for the South. Another Union general of note was the youngest general in the Union army, referred to often as the “Boy General,” who was to gain further fame in the West: General George Armstrong Custer. It has been said that war is hell; this is never more obvious to the student of American military history than in the study of the Civil War. While many men served admirably, many others served with questionable distinction. Reputations were made, and some men who would later mark American history not for their service but for their crimes—such as Frank and Jesse James—began their rise to fame on these battlefields. The James brothers, along with their friend, Cole Younger, got their taste of lawlessness and thuggery riding with Quantrill’s Raiders in the

Kansas-Missouri border war. This was truly an American war. It encompassed all classes, and thus the varied nature of human behavior can be viewed in its study. One strategic failure that would plague both sides was the inability of a commander to pursue the enemy, thereby achieving actual tactical gains after winning a battle. This inability did not go unnoted; it led Lincoln to compare his state to one worse than hell. However, it is important to objectively look at what these leaders were faced with following such a win. Often, their remaining force was in no shape to launch a pursuit. They were exhausted men who rightfully needed time to recuperate. War must be examined not only in terms of strategy or the leaders who determined it but also in the face of the men who actually carried it out. In doing so, the student can better understand the limitations such commanders then faced.

Benjamin Prentiss (Kbh3rd, n.d.)

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The two presidents, Lincoln and Davis, are also contrasted. Davis was better prepared by previous positions to lead a country at war. He was a West Point graduate and former Secretary of War. However, the Southern

ideology he fought to preserve would ultimately hinder his ability to wage a successful fight. He refused to enforce taxes or take control of the railroads. The South fought for states’ rights, but was unable to pose an enduring threat, partly because of their insistence on states’ rights and fear of central government. Lincoln, while inexperienced for leadership during war, had no qualms about using the materials and assets of the North to allow the North to wage war successfully. It was Lincoln’s steadfast and visionary leadership that held the North together to win the war. He was a superior politician who worked through problems he encountered in the Northeast, and he wanted to end the war with a peaceful compromise. Lincoln was motivated to preserve the Union, not just as a form of government, but as a consensus of the future of freedom in America. The early battles, after initial Southern highlights, were often indecisive. Yet, as one realizes, this was about to change because, as noted by Davis himself, the South had exhausted much of her war-making ability by the end of 1862. In contrast, the North, after several embarrassing stumbles, was just now reaching the height of her ability. The only chance the South stood to win was to ensure the Civil War was a short war. As the end of 1862 loomed, it was obvious such a war would not occur.

References

Brady, M. (n.d.). Jefferson Davis [Image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:President-

Jefferson-Davis.jpg

Historical Perspective. (n.d.). Attack on Fort Sumter [Image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Attack_on_Fort_Sumter.jpg

Kbh3rd. (n.d.). General Benjamin Prentiss [Image]. Retrieved from

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:General_Benjamin_Prentiss.jpg Kurz & Allison. (1889). The first battle of Bull Run [Image]. Retrieved from

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:First_Battle_of_Bull_Run_Kurz_%26_Allison.jpg

Jefferson Davis (Brady, n.d.)