The most prominent battles of the Civil War of America - Essay Example

Civil War Part 1 June 10, 1864 marks the day of the Battle of Brice’s Crossroad. It was a civil war that was fought between the union and the confederate near Mississippi. The confederates were led by Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the victorious commander and the unions were led by Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis, the losing commander (Faust 13-27). It is one of the most famous civil war because the outnumbered unions were badly defeated by the confederates, who in number were almost half their army (McPherson et al. 23-56). The main reason behind the splendid victory of Forrest is the outstanding war planning. The tactic that he devised to weaken the union army, the place that he chose to meet the unions in the battle, use of secret intelligence were all in favor of the victory of Forrest. He planned to attack the main cavalry first and then move on further to the remaining army. The main cavalry tried to defend themselves and when they reached Brice Crossroad to inform their army and alert them, they were exhausted and confronted with the fresh army of Forrest. This proved very helpful for the Confederates (Heidler et al. 23-45). The place that had been decided by Forrest to be the battle ground was much near to the supply depot of the confederates and very far from the depot of the unions. This made the unions deprived of the supply and although being out numbered gave no benefit to them because of the shortage of the supply (Keegan et al. 27-33). The area from where the enemy had to pass comprised of four muddy ways, thick woods and a single bridge from east to west. A few days before the war a storm had passed and it made the travelling of horse carts extremely difficult because of the thick liquidized mud. Many of the men had to get involved in making the road passable for the horses. Hence the enemy got deprived of the force of a number of men (Henty 210-243). After the civil war the confederates were able to collect a large amount of booty and a lot of prisoners, with only a few loses of life at their end. The overall effect was not that strong as it could only slow the invasion of the unions in the south but not stop it (McPherson et al. 56-60). Part 2 Grants River War: The union has adopted the strategy to gain control of the rivers of the nation so as to gain supremacy and for this their major aim was to get control of the waters. Grant an army officer of the Union army is considered as the hero of the civil war because he helped to gain control of the entire Mississippi river and the surrounding region (Heidler et al. 34). Nashville: Nashville was the capital city of Tennessee and was among the last state to join the Confederates in the Civil War of America. Therefore it became a target for the Union army. The city was a busy port and had quite many running businesses, therefore it would very beneficial of the Unions and so the Unions wanted it even more. It was among the first few states thatfell in the hands of the Unions (McPherson et al. 25). New Orleans: New Orleans is a city in the United States of America. This city has got historical importance as it was captured by the Unions during the Civil War of America and the interesting fact about it is that the city did not suffer from any sort of loss during its capture (Keegan 37). Perryville: Perryville is remembered in history for the war that took place in this region. The war is referred to as Battle of Perryville or Battle of Chaplin Hills, also known as Battle of Kentucky. It was one of the wars of the Kentucky Campaign. The unions got a strategic triumph and the Confederates a tactical success (Heidler et al. 46). Burnsbridge: Burnside Bridge is a famous bridge in Maryland. The bridge was initially under the unions rule but the Confederates were able to gain control over it by force after fighting with the unions for quite a long time. Afterwards the unions managed to regain control over the bridge. This battle is known as the Battle of Antietam (McPherson et al. 30). Confederate Counter Offensive: The Peninsular Campaign came to an end with seven days long battle from the confederates counter offensive in the Civil War of America. This was one of the most difficult battles of the civil war and in this war the unions managed to come very near to the Confederate’s capital (Henty 49). The Stone Wall: The Confederates during the Civil War of America build up a brigade called as the Stonewall Brigade. This brigade was given special training; the drill was very severe and strict and transformed the newly hired army men into robust and disciplined people. The brigade was led by a professor who was also a part of the army, General Thomas Stonewall (McPherson et al. 34). Round Forest: Round forest was the area where the unions were mainly harbored. The Confederates had tried a lot many times to get hold of this area; numerous battles were fought in this area in order to gain control of the forest. The Confederates attacked this area in small groups in different time but if only they had united themselves and then attacked the region, they could have surely gotten control of the forest (Keegan 46). Bloody Lane: The most severe battle of the Civil War of America was fought in the Maryland Campaign. The battle is known as the Battle of Antietam or as the Battle of Sharpsburg. In this battle mass killing took place from both sides i.e. thousands of men were killed from the unions as well as the confederates. It is said that blood was seen flowing like a river through the streets and therefore was given the name as bloody lane (Heidler et al. 51). The Wheat Field: The Battle of Gettysburg took place in a wheat field. The wheat field is famous because of this war. The ear was fought between General Lee from the confederates and Major George from the unions. The unions were able to drive the confederates back to their homes and the Confederates had to suffer major losses (McPherson et al. 67). CSS Alabama: CSS Alabama was the name of the navy ship that was built in the United Kingdom for the Confederates army. The ship served the Confederates army for a period of two years in which she was able to attack a number of merchant and navy ships that belonged to the Unions. The ship got drowned in a battle near France (McPherson et al. 56). Ordnance Department: The ordnance department is a part of the United States army. The department has the responsibility to look over the production, distribution and storage of the arms and weapons. During the Civil War of America it served an important role and was also given the responsibility to supervise the arsenals and gunrooms (Faust 67). Conscription Laws: Conscription for the first time was enforced during the Civil War of America. The conscription law that was enforced by the United States government had majority of the troops as volunteer, however a few percentage of the people were paid. The Confederate army also enforced a conscription law but it could not attract a large population (Heidler et al. 67). Blockade: Blockade is the stopping or blocking the supply of goods, weapons and other necessities during a war. The Union Blockade took place in the Civil War of America and was successful in blocking away all sorts of supplies to the south that is the Confederate army. The blockade was carried out by the naval force of the union army (McPherson et al. 78). Battlefield Gleaning:   Battle field gleaning is in actual the act of collecting weapons, arms and other goods that have been left after the war. The Confederates were usually short of weapon during the Civil War of America and they often collected the weapons and arms after the war ended. It is the collection of booty of war (Henty 222). Erlanger Loan: The Confederates during the Civil War of America were not in a good position monetarily. They had a serious shortage of arms and ammunitions and basic supplies for the army. Erlanger loan was a fund raising program that was initiated to get funds from abroad to fulfill the basic needs of the Confederates army (Keegan 57). Tax-in-kind: Tax- in- kind is a form of a tax which is not necessarily in the form of money collection but it can be the collection of all sorts of goods and commodities like animals, labor force, different products either completely manufactures or in the raw form. The Confederates army during the civil war has to face serious monetary crisis because of the union Blockade and so they imposed tax-in-kind to collect money and goods (McPherson et al.83). Privateering: Privateering is an act of allowing private persons and ships to attack other ships with the permission granted by the government. During the Civil War of America the Confederates appealed for privateering in order to get control of the ships, to gain profit from the goods and other products. Another reason for confederate privateering was to end the Union blockade by diverting their attention (Heidler et al.69). Herman Haupt: Herman Haupt was by profession a civil engineer and more precisely a rail road engineer. During the Civil war of America he was appointed as the Army General for the union army. He made considerable developments and advancements in the transportation system acquired by the army. Although he made important contributions but he is not much famous (Faust 89). Letter of Marque: Letter of marque is a request to the government by private ships or person to gain permission to attack other ships. It is in actual an authorization letter to a person to attack any ship and then present it for sale or auction. It can be also referred to as legal piracy (Keegan 61).  John Buford: John Buford was the Major General of the Union army and was assigned as the chief of cavalry for the army of Potomac. He took part in a number of battles and played vital role but the most prominent role was played in the Battle of Gettysburg. He also served the United States army (McPherson et al.87). Fisk-hook: Fish hook is fundamentally the name given to a military strategy of fighting a war. This strategy was adopted by the Union army in the Battle of Gettysburg. In this strategy the army lines themselves up in two wide curves or arches. Using this strategy by the Unions made the confederates unable to attack any position of the union army (Henty 67-75). General Archer: James Archer was more popularly known as General Archer, mainly because of his role as the general of the Confederate’s army was by profession a lawyer of the United States army. He also served the United States army as an officer in the Mexican-American war. He was the first General to get captured as a prisoner of war (Heidler et al. 84). Harrison: Harrison served the Confederates army as a spy and brought in a lot of secret information which helped the Confederates army to gain supremacy and upper hand over the Unions army. The information that he gave to the Confederates army eventually led to the start of the Battle of Gettysburg (Keegan 85). Staurt’s Route: James Ewell Stuart was an army officer who served the Confederates army especially during the Civil War of America. He was also a famous cavalry commander and was very famous for unparalleled performance as the cavalry commander. He played a vital role in the Battle of Gettysburg by making use of his capabilities (McPherson et al. 90). Little Round Top: Little round top is the name of a hill where the Battle of Little Round Top took place. The battle took place in between the Confederates and the Unions in the Civil War of America. Battle of Gettysburg also took place in the surrounding areas of the little top round (Faust 103). General Pemberton: John Clifford Pemberton served as the army officer of the United States army during the Mexican- American wars and the Seminole wars. Later on, he served the Confederates army as the General in the Civil War of America. He is remembered for accepting defeat and submitting to the Union army in the Battle of Vicksburg (Heidler et al. 87).    Port Hudson: Port Hudson was under the command of the Confederates but during the siege of Port Hudson in the Civil War of America it came under the command of the Union army. The Confederates had a strong hold over Port Hudson and were giving a tough time to the union army but when the news came in that Vicksburg had surrendered; the army lost hope and surrendered (Keegan 96). Clausewitz: Clausewitz was a soldier by profession and became a part of the battle at the age of 13. In this war he was badly humiliated by Napoleon and got captured. He later on joined the Russian army and fought a number of battles. He was also appointed as the military teacher of the crown prince and also wrote a book relating to arm forces (Henty 108). Fabian Strategy: It is a military strategy that is adopted by armies to lower the morale of the opposing army and also to cut off the supply of goods, arms and ammunitions to the opposing army. In order to make this strategy effectively work it is necessary that time must be given. Whichever side adopts this strategy, the side must be ensured that time is in its favor (Keegan 99). Tunnel Hill: Tunnel Hill was formerly known as Doe run. But because of the building the long tunnel over there to ease the passengers it became to be known as tunnel hill. It became famous because it was meant to be destroyed by the confederates during the Civil War of America buy they failed to do so. The attempt was made in the Atlanta Campaign (McPherson et al. 96). Brice’s Crossroad: It is the battle field of the famous civil war “Battle of Brice’s Crossroads” which was fought in 1864. It is situated 6 miles from Baldwyn in the west direction. This place is famous because a highly out- numbered army was badly defeated by a much smaller army. The place has been made into a national park with walking tracks; a small cemetery is also build for the graves of the confederates who died out in the battle (Keegan 107). Turning Movement: Turning movement is in actual a military tactic that is used to force the enemy to surrender. The basic idea of this is to attack the enemy from the rear so as to make the enemy defenseless. This is done in collaboration with the army present in the front. The tactic of turning movement is carried out by specially trained army men. This tactic is mainly used in wars that are fought in mountainous areas (Faust 156). Defensive concentration: Defensive concentration is referred to concentrating and focusing the strategy being used in the war to defend the land. This can be done by staying in the homeland and fighting the war staying at the homeland. In this way the army remains assured that their land is safe. This strategy was adopted by the confederates to protect the south from the unions (Henty 113). Modern command system: Modern Command system is the method of war in which the armies adopt modern methods and tactics of fighting a battle. The warfare that is used in the battle makes use of modern technology. Modern warfare tactics and weapons are far more advanced than the old weapons. The American Civil war is the first war which is considered as the most modern war of its time (Heidler et al. 94). Jomini: Jominiwas a general in the French army who later on joined the Russian services. He is considered as the founder of modern strategy. He has presented a number of modern war strategies which have proved beneficial in many wars. Most of the American Generals have learned a number of strategies from the theories presented by Jomini (McPherson et al. 103). Riverine mobility: Riverine mobility refers to the tactics that are employed to fight efficiently on river. In riverine warfare the artillery and the weapons are loaded onto deep boats. This tactic is used especially in marshy areas where land transportation is difficult. In the Vietnam War the United States made use of riverine mobility to transport the weapons (Faust 176). Overland Campaign: Overland Campaign is remembered with other names also which are Grant’s Overland Campaign or the Wilderness Campaign. It is the name given to the series of war that took place in the American Civil War. These battles were fought in Virginia in 1864. The war was fought between the unions and the confederates and the union’s got victory (Keegan 113). Carter: Carter was one of the weaponry Officer of the Confederates army who played an important role in many of the battles particularly in the Battle of Gettysburg fought in the American Civil War. In this war he made the Unions to withdraw from the area. He studied medical from university but never practiced medicine (McPherson et al. 117). Cold Harbor: Battle of Cold harbor is one of the most deadlyof the numerous wars of the American Civil War. It was among the last battles of the Overland Campaign. It was fought between the Confederates and the Unions and the Confederates were able to gain victory. Many of the army men of the Unions died in this battle (Heidler et al. 102). Wilderness: The first battle of the Overland Campaign in the American Civil War was the Battle of Wilderness. It was fought against the Unions and the Confederates. There were no results of the war and therefore the results of the war remained inconclusive. Both the armies had to face serious losses and causalities but no conclusions could be made (Keegan 127). River Queen: River Queen was the name of steamer ferry which served the Maratha’s Vineyard and Nantucket islands. The boat was chattered by the United States army and was used as the private transport of General Grant. It is famous because it is the boat in which the Hamptons Road Conference took place which is only an unsuccessful attempt to bring an end to the American Civil War (McPherson et al. 132). City Point: City point was the famous town of the Prince George county of Virginia which served as the headquarters for the Union army during the Civil War of America. It was later annexed by Hopewell city. In this city a supply depot and a hospital for the army was also built (Henty 39-43). Wheeler’s Cavalry: Joseph Wheeler was a very famous and distinguished military commandant of the United States of America. He also was a great politician. He is famous because he served for two opposing armies in the war. At first he served as the cavalry general for the Confederates army in the Civil War of America, later on he became the part of the army of United States in the war against Spain (Heidler et al. 114). Savannah: Major General William belonging to Union army started the Savannah Campaign through Georgia. It is generally remembered with the name “Sherman’s March to the Sea”. This was initiated in the Civil War of America and aimed at capturing the port of Savannah. The Unions brought a great deal of damage to property and infrastructure in the area (Keegan 139). Bentonville: Battle of Bentonville is one of the many battles that were fought during the Civil War of America. It was fought between the Unions and the Confederates. The unions were led by Major General William and the Confederates by General Joseph. The Unions gained victory in this battle. This was among the last battle to be fought in the Carolinas Campaign (Heidler et al. 136). Letterman: Jonathan Letterman was a great and infamous American surgeon of his time. He introduced a number of new and modern methods to manage medical system of armies. He is also known as the “Father of Battlefield Medicine”. Many of his introduced methods were employed in the Civil War of America and they proved very beneficial (McPherson et al. 139). Minie Ball: Minie Ball is in actual the name of a bullet used in rifles. It belongs to muzzle loading type of bullets. It was greatly used in the wars of Crimean and the Civil War of America. The bullet has been named after its creator. It was easy to use and hence was greatly used in the wars (Keegan 157). United States Sanitary Commission: The United States Sanitary Commission came into being as a necessity of the Civil War of America. It was created in order to provide the wounded and sick people with care and protection. It was initiated under the federal legislation and it had many volunteer workers and also got huge amounts of funds by the citizens (Faust 254). Tennessee quickstep: Tennessee quickstep was in fact a jargon that was used for the frequent need to visit the toilet due to diarrhea and similar diseases. It was used by the soldiers in the Civil War of America. Bad hygienic conditions of the army camps lead to many diseases like typhoid, pneumonia which eventually led to death (Heidler & David & Heidler & Coles 138). Grand Review: The Grand Review of Armies was in fact a large celebration with gaiety and pleasure on the end of the long Civil War of America. It took place in Washington DC, in front of the White House at the review stand. The president himself along with members of the cabinet, army generals of both the sides came to the review stand. A large cheering crowd was present to welcome the armies (Keegan 167). Booth/Mosby: John Singleton Booth was the cavalry commander of the Confederates army in the Civil War of America. He was an asset to the army because of his special tactics. He was well known of his quick attacks on the Union army and then vanishing in thin air. They had the ability to blend themselves into the local people and hence could not get caught (Heidler et al. 151). Five Fork: The Battle of Five Forks is one of the numerous battles that were fought during the Civil War of America. It was fought between the Union army and the Confederate army. The Union were able to gain victory is this battle. This battle was a part of the Appomattox Campaign (McPherson et al. 156). Works Cited Faust Drew G. This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print. Heidler, David S, Jeanne T. Heidler, and David J. Coles.Encyclopedia of the American Civil War: A Political, Social, and Military History. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2000. Print. Henty G A. With Lee in Virginia: A Story of the American Civil War. Mill Hall, Pa: Preston/Speed Publications, 1997. Print. Keegan John. The American Civil War: A Military History. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Print. McPherson, James M. Fields of Fury: The American Civil War. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002. Print. Read More