Civil War Review Brothers fought brothers, fathers faced off against sons, and families were split right down the middle in the bloodiest war in American history, the Civil War. ‘“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana). If we don’t remember these gory events that took place then how could we not repeat it.The Civil War was the most exciting and interesting American war to study. This is because of leadership on both sides, Lee and Grant, the many battles fought, the end of slavery, and lastly the economic conditions which each side faced. Each of these factors led to the end result, of the surrenders of the three Confederate armies. Without the Civil War our country would still be divided and the
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Many battles were fought in the war, specifically two that turned the direction of the war. The Battle of Antietam was fought in Sharpsburg Maryland, on September 17, 1862. General Lee, commander of Southern forces faced the Union forces commanded by General McClellan. This would be the first battle to occur on northern soil. General Lee’s army was vastly outnumbered, but his superior command capability could not be stopped by General McClellan. Though possessing an army that was far superior in numbers, equipment and capability, McClellan refused to fully engage the Southern army. He came under severe criticism and a loss of faith in his ability to lead after this engagement. There was a combined total of 22,000 men killed or wounded. Though the official results of the battle was inconclusive, the North claimed a narrow victory. After this narrow victory, the process of ending slavery started. President Lincoln used this victory to launch the Thirteenth Amendment and gain support in Congress. If McClellan chose to fully engage Lee’s army at Antietam, perhaps a Union victory would have been definitive, and led to total destruction of the army of Northern Virginia. Not only did battles decide who won which portion of land they also help President Lincoln launch emanicplication. Without Gettysburg we would not have seen the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The battle itself took place outside Gettysburg,
Many battles were fought in the war, specifically two that turned the direction of the war. The Battle of Antietam was fought in Sharpsburg Maryland, on September 17, 1862. General Lee, commander of Southern forces faced the Union forces commanded by General McClellan. This would be the first battle to occur on northern soil. General Lee’s army was vastly outnumbered, but his superior command capability could not be stopped by General McClellan. Though possessing an army that was far superior in numbers, equipment and capability, McClellan refused to fully engage the Southern army. He came under severe criticism and a loss of faith in his ability to lead after this engagement. There was a combined total of 22,000 men killed or wounded. Though the official results of the battle was inconclusive, the North claimed a narrow victory. After this narrow victory, the process of ending slavery started. President Lincoln used this victory to launch the Thirteenth Amendment and gain support in Congress. If McClellan chose to fully engage Lee’s army at Antietam, perhaps a Union victory would have been definitive, and led to total destruction of the army of Northern Virginia. Not only did battles decide who won which portion of land they also help President Lincoln launch emanicplication. Without Gettysburg we would not have seen the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The battle itself took place outside Gettysburg,