1861-62 Flashcards
1
Q
The Union only had a strong regular army of what number?
A
16,000, which was mainly scattered.
2
Q
The Confederates had to create an army from what?
A
From scratch.
3
Q
How many officers had resigned from the regular army to help lead the Confederates on the battlefields?
A
300 or so
4
Q
Who had more success with the state militia?
A
The Confederacy
5
Q
How was the Union’s military leadership weak at the start of the war?
A
Lincoln had no military experience and their leading general, Winfield Scott, had no general staff, no strategic plans and no programme for mobilisation.
6
Q
At the start of the war, Winfield Scott had no what?
A
No general staff, no strategic plans, and no programme for mobilisation.
7
Q
How was the Confederacy’s military leadership strong at the start of the war?
A
Davis had some military experience and was quicker to act in terms of getting men signed up to voluntary service.
8
Q
What was the Confederacy’s early military problem at the start of the war?
A
They had limited manufacturing capacity and would struggle to equip their volunteers.
9
Q
When was the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run?
A
July 21, 1861
10
Q
Who was the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run fought between?
A
Beauregard (22,000) & Johnston (11,000) v. McDowell (30,000)
11
Q
How many men did Beauregard have during the Battle of First Manassas?
A
22,000
12
Q
How many men did Johnston have during the Battle of First Manassas?
A
11,000
13
Q
How many men did McDowell have during the Battle of First Manassas?
A
30,000
14
Q
Who won the Battle of First Manassas?
A
The Confederacy
15
Q
Who was the first Union general-in-chief?
A
Winfield Scott
16
Q
How long did Winfield Scott believe it would take to train and equip the armies needed to crush the rebels?
A
Many months
17
Q
What plan did Winfield Scott support to beat the Confederacy?
A
The Anaconda Plan, the aim of which was slowly to squeeze life out of the Confederacy by naval blockade and by winning control of the Mississippi River.
18
Q
The Anaconda Plan was to slowly squeeze life out the Confederacy by what means?
A
The naval blockade and by winning control of the Mississippi River.
19
Q
Instead of supporting a slower offensive, at the start of the war Lincoln ordered McDowell to mount what?
A
A quick, decisive offensive that would open the way to Richmond, bring the war to a quick end, and minimise damage to the South.
20
Q
While McDowell’s men were _____, so were Beauregard’s. (“…they are ____ also”, etc.)
A
While McDowell’s men were ill-prepared, so were Beauregard’s. (“…they are green also”, etc.)
21
Q
Why was Manassas a key strategic area?
A
Manassas was 30 miles away from Washington, DC.
22
Q
At First Manassas, what happened on July 16?
A
McDowell moved out of Washington with 30,000 men.
23
Q
At First Manassas, when did McDowell move out of Washington with 30,000 men?
A
July 16
24
Q
At First Manassas, what happened on July 21?
A
The Union attacked Beauregard, with the Confederates fighting strong, with the ‘rebel yell’ breaking the Union line.
25
Stonewall Jackson earned his nickname at which battle?
First Manassas (July 21, 1861)
26
At First Manassas, what saved the Confederacy?
Johnston's 11,000 troops, who came from the Shenandoah, saved the Confederacy.
27
At First Manassas, Johnston's 11,000 troops, which saved the Confederacy, came from where?
The Shenandoah
28
At First Manassas, after Johnston came from the Shenandoah, what did the Union do?
The Union panicked and retreated towards Washington.
29
How many Union casualties were there at First Manassas?
3,000
30
How many Confederate casualties were there at First Manassas?
2,000
31
Why was the Battle of First Manassas arguably insignificant for the Confederacy?
The Confederacy did not exploit their victory and did not attack Washington, DC.
32
Why did the Confederacy not attack Washington, DC after First Manassas?
Their disorganised army was short of supplies.
33
How impactful would success in DC following the Confederacy's victory at First Manassas have been on their position?
DC success would not have won them the war.
34
How was the morale of both sides affected by the outcome of First Manassas?
The South perhaps became complacent, whereas the North became more determined.
35
Following the Battle of First Manassas, Confederates in Virginia won a victory where and when?
Ball's Bluff in October 1861.
36
When was the Battle of Ball's Bluff?
October 1861
37
Who won the Battle of Ball's Bluff?
The Confederates in Virginia
38
How did Lincoln change Union leadership following the Battle of First Manassas?
Lincoln removed McDowell and replaced him with McClellan.
39
Who did Lincoln replace McDowell with following the Battle of First Manassas?
McClellan
40
McClellan would retrain Union troops defending which area?
Washington, becoming the Army of the Potomac
41
General McClellan replaced who as general-in-chief?
Scott
42
McClellan was credited with some minor victories in which area?
West Virginia
43
McClellan was an able what?
Administrator
44
McClellan drilled new soldiers for how many hours a day?
Eight
45
Why was the Battle of First Manassas also known as the Battle of Bull Run?
Southerners named battles after the nearest settlement, whereas northerners named them after the nearest geographical feature.
46
The main Union army became known by what name?
The Army of the Potomac
47
McClellan restored the Union army's what?
Morale
48
How popular was McClellan amongst the soldiers?
He was popular amongst the soldiers, who referred to him affectionately as ‘Little Mac’.
49
What do McClellan supporters argue about the reasons for him not succeeding?
His supporters claim that he was a man of strategic vision who was betrayed by Republican political intrigue (McClellan was a Democrat) and by poor intelligence.
50
McClellan belonged to which political party?
The Democrats
51
Which of McClellan's ideas made humane sense?
His hope of winning the war without too much gore.
52
McClellan was how cooperative?
He was an arrogant egotist and failed to work collaboratively with his political masters.
53
McClellan always exaggerated what?
He was too reluctant to use a fine army and exaggerated the odds against him.
54
While his army was twice the size of the rebel force facing him in the winter of 1861-2, McClellan believed he was what?
Outnumbered
55
Who won the first major battle in the West?
Wilson's Creek, Missouri, in August 1861
56
What was the name of the first major battle won by the Confederacy in the West?
Wilson's Creek
57
When was Wilson's Creek?
August 1861
58
Where was Wilson's Creek?
Missouri
59
Why was the Confederate victory at Wilson's Creek arguably ineffective?
They could not follow up on the victory due to a lack of resources and were outnumbered by Union troops.
60
In response to the Confederate victory at Wilson's Creek in the West, Lincoln did what?
Lincoln divided the Union's western forces.
61
How did Lincoln divide the Union's western forces in 1861?
Halleck would concentrate on winning control of the Mississippi.Buell was to drive Confederate forces from Kentucky and Tennessee.
62
When Lincoln divided the Union's western forces in 1861, Halleck was to concentrate on what?
Winning control of the Mississippi.
63
When Lincoln divided the Union's western forces in 1861, Buell was to drive what?
Confederate forces from Kentucky and Tennessee.
64
In the West, Lincoln hoped for what in 1861 and how feasible was this?
Lincoln hoped for a joint offensive but neither Halleck nor Buell were prepared to risk failure by attacking too soon.
65
Who commanded Confederate troops in the West in 1861?
General Albert Sidney Johnston
66
Where did General Albert Sydney Johnston command Confederate forces in the West?
Between the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains
67
Johnston scattered how many troops along the southern borders of Kentucky and Missouri in 1861?
40,000
68
Johnston hoped that, in the West, what would hold up Union advances?
A number of strategic forts.
69
When did Halleck send 15,000 men under Grant to capture key river forts?
February 1862
70
Halleck sent how many men under Grant to capture key river forts?
15,000
71
Grant was accompanied by gunboats commanded by whom in February 1862?
Andrew Foote
72
Which forts were captured by the Union in February 1862?
Fort Henry and Fort Donelson
73
What forced Fort Henry to surrender?
Andrew Foote
74
Fort Donelson was defended by how many Confederates?
16,000
75
How was Fort Donelson captured?
It was defended by 16,000 men but soon surrendered a few days later to Grant.
76
As a result of the Confederacy capturing Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Union forces now controlled what rivers?
The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, vital arteries into the South.
77
After the Union won control of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Johnston retreated where and what was the effect of this?
To Corinth, leaving Kentucky and most of Tennessee under Union control.
78
After Johnston retreated to Corinth, Halleck ordered Grant and Buell to push where?
Into southwest Tennessee.
79
When was the Battle of Shiloh?
April 6-7, 1862
80
Who was the Battle of Shiloh fought between?
Johnston (Then Beauregard) v. Grant (40,000) and Buell (25,000)
81
How many men did Grant have during the Battle of Shiloh?
40,000
82
How many men did Buell have during the Battle of Shiloh?
25,000
83
What theatre of war did First Manassas take place in?
Eastern Theatre (Manassas, North Virginia)
84
What theatre of war did Shiloh take place in?
Western Theatre (Shiloh, Tennessee)
85
At the start of the Battle of Shiloh, Grant and how many men were waiting for Buell's army?
40,000
86
At the start of the Battle of Shiloh, Grant and 40,000 men were encamped on the west bank of which river?
The Tennessee River at Shiloh.
87
At Shiloh, what happened on April 6?
Johnston surprise attacked Grant.
88
At Shiloh, when did Johnston surprise attack Grant?
April 6
89
Who won the Battle of Shiloh?
The Union
90
At Shiloh, how did the Union respond to Johnston's surprise attack on Grant?
Many Union troops panicked and fled; enough remained to prevent a decisive rebel win.
91
At Shiloh, what happened to Johnston and what was the consequence of this?
Johnston died and so Beauregard took over.
92
At Shiloh, Buell's army numbered how many?
25,000
93
How many Union casualties were there at Shiloh?
13,000
94
How many Confederate casualties were there at Shiloh?
10,600
95
What was the importance of the Union victory at Shiloh on the course of the war?
The Union had turned back the Confederate bid to regain the initiative.
96
Who became general-in-chief of the Union army following the Battle of Shiloh?
Halleck, who advanced to Corinth.
97
Lincoln hooped Halleck would be what?
Vigorous
98
How did Halleck perform as general-in-chief?
He was a pen-pusher who did not enforce a comprehensive strategy.
99
Who did Davis replace Beauregard with after his evacuation of Corinth following a Union victory at Shiloh?
Bragg
100
When was the Peninsula Campaign?
March-July 1862
101
As a part of the Peninsula Campaign, to avoid a frontal attack, McClellan planned to attack which city?
Richmond
102
As a part of the Peninsula Campaign, where did McClellan plan to attack Richmond from?
Up the peninsula between the York and James Rivers.
103
As a part of McClellan's plan to attack Richmond in the Peninsula Campaign, the Army of the Potomac was transported to what fortress?
Fortress Monroe
104
When was the Army of the Potomac transported to Fortress Monroe?
April 1862
105
How big was the Army of the Potomac when it was transported to Fortress Monroe?
121,000
106
How significant was Fortress Monroe?
It was 112 km from Richmond.
107
In the Peninsula Campaign, McClellan settled down to besiege what?
Yorktown
108
McClellan's plan to besiege Yorktown gave Davis time to do what?
Send reinforcements.
109
Before McClellan attacked Yorktown, the Confederates did what?
Withdrew
110
In the Peninsula Campaign, McClellan reached the outskirts of Richmond when?
Late May
111
When McClellan reached the outskirts of Richmond in May 1862, he did what?
He waited for reinforcements after he became convinced that they were outnumbered.
112
Why did McClellan never receive reinforcements at Richmond in May 1862?
Jackson's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley.
113
When were the Shenandoah Valley campaigns?
March-June 1862
114
Who were the Shenandoah Valley battles fought between?
Jackson (18,000) v. McClellan
115
Who won the Shenandoah Valley campaigns?
The Confederacy (Jackson)
116
Where were the Shenandoah Valley campaigns?
Eastern Theatre (Shenandoah Valley, Virginia)
117
How many men did Jackson have in the Shenandoah Valley campaigns?
18,000
118
Why did Jackson and 18,000 men get sent into the Shenandoah Valley circa March 1862?
To stop the far larger Union troops moving south to Richmond.
119
How many battles were there in the Shenandoah Valley campaigns?
Six battles
120
How many Union casualties were in the Shenandoah Valley campaign battles?
7,000
121
The Shenandoah Valley campaigns diverted how many Union troops from other tasks?
60,000
122
The Shenandoah Valley campaigns had what effect on the South?
They were inspired.
123
Following the Confederate victory at the Shenandoah Valley, why did Lincoln send no troops to help McClellan?
He was worried about the threat Jackson posed to Washington, DC.
124
Following the Shenandoah Valley campaigns, what did Jackson do?
He marched south to fight McClellan.
125
By May 1862, the Confederacy seemed to be on what?
The edge of defeat.
126
Why was the Confederacy on the edge of defeat in May?
Confederate forces had suffered severe setbacks, including the loss of New Orleans.Most of the Mississippi Valley was in Union hands.McClellan seemed certain to capture Richmond.
127
By May 1862, Confederate forces had suffered severe setbacks, including the loss of what?
New Orleans
128
By May 1862, most of what Valley was in Union hands?
The Mississippi Valley
129
By May 1862, McClellan seemed certain to capture what city?
Richmond
130
On May 31st 1862, Johnston attacked who and where?
Johnston attacked McClellan’s forces outside Richmond.
131
On what date did Johnston attack McClellan's forces in May 1862?
May 31st
132
Johnston and McClellan's skirmish in May 1862 ended in what?
A draw where the South lost 6,000 casualties and the North 5,000.
133
In May 1862, Johnston was replaced by whom?
Robert E. Lee
134
Lee had been offered high command of what but refused?
The Union army by Lincoln
135
Following setbacks in West Virginia and the Carolinas, Lee had become Davis' what?
Military adviser
136
Lee renamed his army what?
The Army of Northern Virginia
137
Why did Lee initially hope to win a major victory?
He hoped to win a major victory which would damage northern morale.
138
When were the Seven Days?
June 25-July 1 1862
139
Who were the Seven Days battles fought between?
Lee v McClellan
140
Who won the Seven Days?
The Confederacy (Lee)
141
Where were the Seven Days fought?
Eastern Theatre (Richmond, Virginia)
142
In the Seven Days, when did Lee attack McClellan?
At the end of June.
143
What led to disjointed attacks for Lee during the Seven Days?
Overcomplicated battle-plans and defects in command structure.
144
Whose lethargy let Lee down at the Seven Days?
Jackson's
145
How many Union casualties were there during the Seven Days?
15,849
146
How many Confederate casualties were there during the Seven Days?
20,614
147
The Seven Days tainted whose reputation that they had gathered at First Manassas and the Shenandoah?
Jackson's
148
In the Seven Days, Lee's offensive had what effect on McClellan's attacks?
Lee’s offensive saved Richmond from being taken over by McClellan.
149
When was the Battle of Second Manassas/Bull Run?
29-30 August 1862
150
Who was the Battle of Second Manassas/Bull Run fought between?
Lee (55,000) & Jackson (25,000) v. Pope & McClellan
151
How many men did Lee have at the Battle of Second Manassas/Bull Run?
55,000
152
How many men did Jackson have at the Battle of Second Manassas/Bull Run?
25,000
153
What theatre of war did Second Manassas take place in?
Eastern Theatre (Manassas, North Virginia)
154
At Second Manassas, Lincoln ordered McClellan to do what?
Join forces with General Pope
155
Circa Second Manassas, Pope commanded Union forces around where?
Washington, DC
156
With a united army at Second Manassas, Pope and McClellan would advance on where?
Richmond
157
Determined to strike first at Second Manassas, Lee headed where?
North with 55,000 men
158
When did Lee head north at Second Manassas?
Mid-August
159
At Second Manassas, Lee sent who north of Pope?
Jackson
160
On 26-27 August at Second Manassas, Jackson captured what?
Pope's main supply depot at Manassas.
161
At Second Manassas, when did Jackson capture Pope's main supply depot at Manassas?
26-27 August
162
On 29-30 August at Second Manassas, who arrived to support Pope and attack Jackson?
McClellan
163
At Second Manassas, when did McClellan arrive to support Pope and attack Jackson?
29-30 August
164
Why did the Union miscalculate at Second Manassas?
They failed to realise that the rest of Lee’s army was coming.
165
Who won the Battle of Second Manassas/Bull Run?
The Confederacy
166
Why was Pope defeated at Second Manassas?
Longstreet attacked his left flank.
167
What happened after Pope was defeated at Second Manassas?
Most Union troops escaped and retreated towards Washington, DC.
168
How many Union casualties were there at Second Manassas?
16,000
169
How many Confederate casualties were there at Second Manassas?
9,000
170
After Second Manassas, who did Lincoln reappoint as commander-in-chief?
McClellan
171
Why was McClellan reappointed after Second Manassas?
Pope was sent to fight Indians.
172
What effect did Second Manassas have on Lee?
Second Manassas emboldened Lee, resulting in his invasion of Maryland during the Maryland Campaign.
173
What was the Battle of Antietam also known as?
Sharpsburg
174
When was the Battle of Antietam?
17 September, 1862
175
Who was the Battle of Antietam fought between?
Lee (40,000) v. McClellan (Then Burnside)
176
What theatre of war did Antietam take place in?
Eastern Theatre (Sharpsburg, Maryland)
177
Who won the Battle of Antietam?
The Union
178
Why did Lee and 40,000 men invade Maryland in the North in the Battle of Antietam?
To:Protect Virginia’s harvest.Gain Maryland volunteers.Win a decisive victory.Demoralise the North.
179
Lee and 40,000 men invaded Maryland to protect what?
Virginia's harvest.
180
Lee and 40,000 men invaded Maryland to gain what?
Maryland volunteers.
181
Lee and 40,000 men invaded Maryland to win a what?
A decisive victory.
182
Lee and 40,000 men invaded Maryland to do what to the North?
Demoralise the North.
183
Why did Lee's invasion of Maryland not go to plan?
He lost a copy of his operational orders, which McClellan obtained.He lost more soldiers to desertion than he had gained from Maryland.
184
During Lee's invasion of Maryland, Lee lost a copy of what?
His operational orders, which McClellan obtained.
185
During Lee's invasion of Maryland, Lee lost how many soldiers?
He lost more soldiers to desertion than he had gained from Maryland.
186
During Antietam, McClellan forced Lee back where?
Towards the Potomac River.
187
During Antietam, Lee did not retreat into Virginia but took position behind where?
Antietam Creek
188
After Lee retreated behind Antietam Creek, what did McClellan do?
He did not attack, despite Lee being hopelessly outnumbered.
189
What happened at Antietam on 16 September?
Jackson's corps re-joined Lee's army, reducing the odds.
190
When did Jackson's corps rejoin Lee's army, reducing the odds, at Antietam?
16 September
191
When was the main fighting at Antietam?
17 September
192
How many battles were there at Antietam?
Three separate battles (i.e. morning, midday, and afternoon)
193
When did McClellan win at Antietam?
18 September, when Lee retreated to Virginia
194
How many Union casualties were there at Antietam?
12,000
195
How many Confederate casualties were there at Antietam?
11,000
196
Which was the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War?
Antietam
197
Why was Antietam perhaps the turning point in the war?
Within days Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation Proclamation.The likelihood of British intervention was now small due to Lee’s failure to win decisively.
198
Within days of Antietam, what was issued?
The Emancipation Proclamation
199
After Antietam, the likelihood of what was small?
The likelihood of British intervention was now small due to Lee’s failure to win decisively.
200
How was Antietam arguably not decisive?
McClellan was replaced with Burnside in November when he failed to follow up his victory.
201
Who replaced McClellan in November 1862?
Burnside
202
Why was McClellan replaced by Burnside in November 1862?
He failed to follow up his victory.
203
When was the Battle of Fredericksburg?
11-15 December 1862
204
Who fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg?
Lee (75,000) v. Burnside (100,000)
205
How many men did Lee have at Fredericksburg?
75,000
206
How many men did Burnside have at Fredericksburg?
100,000
207
What theatre of war did Fredericksburg take place in?
Eastern Theatre (Fredericksburg, Virginia)
208
During Fredericksburg, Burnside and 100,000 men marched towards where?
South towards Richmond
209
At Fredericksburg, on 13 December, Burnside launched a series of what?
Suicidal attacks - losing 11,000 men, while Lee lost fewer than 5,000 men.
210
After launching a series of suicidal attacks at Fredericksburg, Burnside pulled back across what?
The Rappahannock.
211
Burnside's attempts to turn Lee's flank in January 1863 failed in what way? What was the effect of this?
They got bogged down in mud, leading to a decline in Union morale.
212
How many Union casualties were there at Fredericksburg?
13,000
213
How many Confederate casualties were there at Fredericksburg?
5,000
214
How was Confederate morale affected by Fredericksburg?
Confederate morale soared, as they had been outnumbered but still prevailed.
215
How was Burnside affected by the outcome of Fredericksburg?
Burnside’s missteps in strategy sowed the seeds of insubordination, culminating in the ineffective ‘Mud March’ in January after which Burnside was replaced by Hooker.
216
Following Fredericksburg, Burnside was replaced by whom?
Hooker
217
Following Fredericksburg, Republican senators wished to do what?
They wished to remove Seward, Secretary of State, for the blunders made in the battle.
218
In the late summer of 1862, Bragg advanced into where?
Kentucky
219
In October 1862, where did Bragg win a tactical victory?
Perryville
220
How was Bragg's victory at Perryville in October 1862 ruined?
He had to retreat into Tennessee.
221
What happened in October 1862?
Bragg won a tactical victory at Perryville.
222
What happened in December 1862?
Rosecrans tried to drive Bragg out of Tennessee.
223
What happened on 31 December 1862?
Rosecrans and Bragg mauled each other at Murfreesboro. Bragg renewed the battle two days later but he was beaten back and had to withdraw.
224
Union forces under Grant first tried to take Vicksburg over the winter of which years?
1862-63
225
Why did Grant initially try to capture Vicksburg in 1862-63?
The fortified town prevented Union control of the Mississippi and its capture would demoralise the South and bolster the North.
226
In 1862-3, Davis appointed whom to oversee Confederate operations in the West?
Johnston
227
Why did Davis appoint Johnston to oversee Confederate operations in the West?
He hoped that he would bring a unified vision to the West (which was not realised).
