THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG

Describe in 3-4 sentences what you think life was like as a soldier during the Civil War.

Then, describe what you think life was like for those left at home throughout the war in another 3-4 sentences.

You may use your carousel notes..

UNIT 11, JOURNAL #3UNIT 11, JOURNAL #3

BEFORE THE BATTLE 1863 had begun well for the South

Confederates inflict bloody defeat on Union at Fredericksburg, VA Failure to storm Confederate stronghold (Dec.

13, 1862) North defeated again in the Battle of

Chancellorsville, VA Outmaneuvered (April 30-May 6, 1863)

General Stonewall Jackson is shot by his own men in an accident and dies of Pneumonia Amputation Mistaken for a “Yankee” (May 1863)

Lee decides to invade North in Spring-Early Summer ‘63: To gain supplies Force Lincoln to pull Union forces away from

Vicksburg, MS Invasion in North would hurt Lincoln’s political

power- tip towards Copperheads

AFTER THE BATTLE More than 23,000 Union casualties

and 28,000 Confederate casualties More than 30% of men Corpses everywhere, stench

unbearable

Lee gave up hopes of invading the North and retreated back to Virginia (through a pelting rain) Lee turned in his resignation which

Jefferson Davis did not accept “It’s all my fault” – Lee’s reaction

to loss at Gettysburg

North is enthusiastic about big victory! The North wins the Battle of

Vicksburg (May 18-July 4, 1863)

SIGNIFICANCE OF GETTYSBURG

Turning point in the war

Crippled South so badly, Lee never invaded Northern state again

Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address in November 1863. Gettysburg Address helped our crippled nation realize thatwe were not just a collectionof individual states.

GETTYSBURG ADDRESS Nov. 1863 ceremony to

dedicate cemetery in Gettysburg.

Lincoln gave 2 minute speech “Remade America”After his address and

following the Civil War people started to say the “United States is” instead of the “United States are”

THE WAR COMES TO AN END

WEARING DOWN OF CONFEDERACY

Defeat at Vicksburg and Gettysburg cost Confederate manpower…

Already low on food, shoes, uniforms, guns, and ammunition

Break down:Desertions—left because they knew their families were sufferingLeft to fight for the UnionMovements for peace by newspapers, legislatures, and individuals in various states

NEW UNION STRATEGY: TOTAL WAR

General Grant appointed William Tecumseh Sherman as commander in Mississippi

Both men believe in total war Total War – fight military, government and

CIVILIANS to destroy all ability for enemy to fight Reasoning:

Civilians produce the weapons, food, and transportation;

Their strength keeps the army going

IS IT EVER JUSTIFIED TO KILL CIVILIANS IN A BATTLE? WHY OR WHY NOT?

Attack and attack again Huge losses for Union, but they could afford it,

South could not Burned towns, killed animals

About three miles from Sparta we struck the 'Burnt Country,' as it is well named by the natives, and then I could better understand the wrath and desperation of these poor people. I almost felt as if I should like to hang a Yankee myself. There was hardly a fence left standing all the way from Sparta to Gordon. The fields were trampled down and the road was lined with carcasses of horses, hogs, and cattle that the invaders, unable either to consume or to carry away with them, had wantonly shot down to starve out the people and prevent them from making their crops. The stench in some places was unbearable; every few hundred yards we had to hold our noses or stop them with [cologne]…

Source: Eliza Frances Andrews, The War-Time Journal of a Georgia Girl, 1864-1865 (New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1908), pp. 32-33.

SHERMAN’S MARCH Sherman moves south to Atlanta

Occupies September, 1864 – huge transportation center

Confederate army tries to circle around him and cut his railroad supply lines, but Sherman takes the offensive. Ex: Being “aggressive” in sports

Sherman abandons his supply lines and marches “to the sea” Creates a path of destruction; lives off the land as he

marches Burned most of Atlanta

Reached the ocean and took Savannah. Left to help Grant “wipe out Lee” Followed by 25,000 former slaves Inflicted more damage down through SC As they got close to the end (NC), stopped burning towns

and handed out food and supplies

SURRENDER AT APPOMATTOX

Clear Confederacy was over by March 1865

Grant and Sherman approached Richmond, Confederate Govt. fled and set fire to the city

April 9, 1865 – Lee and Grant met at Appomattox Court House in VA to arrange formal surrender Very generous terms

(Lincoln’s request) WHY? DID THEY DESERVE IT?

Within 1 month, all resistance ended.