Railways were becoming an efficient mode of transportation, developing more and more throughout the 19th century. During the Civil War, steam-powered locomotives could travel up to 60 miles per hour, and they were used to transport everything from food to people. Furthermore, railroads were a crucial part of the Civil War. For example, soldiers could be moved to an area much faster than if they were walking, and weapons and food could be transferred throughout the North and South to keep them alive and fighting. Railroads affected the course of the Civil War during the First Battle of Bull Run, during and after battle of Chickamauga, and when the North was holding Richmond and Petersburg.
Because the North was much more industrialized than the South, they had more railroads. But, according to …show more content…
The battle was the outcome of the Union army pursuing the South to Virginia, but led to a Confederate victory. After the battle, Grant’s defeated troops were hungry and tired. They used to the railroad system to quickly replenish their supplies, so that they could continue on. As the Northern armies proceeded towards the South, they saw that as an opportunity to sabotage the Confederate railroads because they realized the importance the railways would have for the South. In this way, the inability of the South to use their railroads shows how essential they were for the result of the Civil War.
In another way, railroads were a key part of the blockading of Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. The Union army was able to get its continuous flow of supplies due to a rail depot that Grant had put together at City Point. It would have been extremely difficult for the Union to continue its siege without railroads to bring their supplies, because horses are much slower and pulled much less weight than locomotive engines could. This barricade played a critical role in the success of Union, and was achieved by
Because the North was much more industrialized than the South, they had more railroads. But, according to …show more content…
The battle was the outcome of the Union army pursuing the South to Virginia, but led to a Confederate victory. After the battle, Grant’s defeated troops were hungry and tired. They used to the railroad system to quickly replenish their supplies, so that they could continue on. As the Northern armies proceeded towards the South, they saw that as an opportunity to sabotage the Confederate railroads because they realized the importance the railways would have for the South. In this way, the inability of the South to use their railroads shows how essential they were for the result of the Civil War.
In another way, railroads were a key part of the blockading of Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. The Union army was able to get its continuous flow of supplies due to a rail depot that Grant had put together at City Point. It would have been extremely difficult for the Union to continue its siege without railroads to bring their supplies, because horses are much slower and pulled much less weight than locomotive engines could. This barricade played a critical role in the success of Union, and was achieved by