Military History- Civil War Flashcards
4 causes of the Civil War:
- state’s rights
- slavery
- tariffs
- Patrone factor
11 states that made up the Confederate States of America:
South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana Texas Virginia Arkansas Tennessee North Carolina
What battle started the Civil War?
Battle of Fort Sumter, April 1861
WASP (civil war)
white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants
Over 2 million Federal Soldiers were under the age of ___
21
___ and ___ were the worst enemies that Confederates and Union soldiers faced.
sickness, insufficient medical treatment
Union privates were only paid ___ per month and Confederate privates ___ per month.
$13, $11
Of the ___ Soldiers involved in the Civil War, only ___ were regulars of the armed forces. Most were volunteers from State organized units.
3.5 million,
75,000
Rations were terrible during the Civil War, but the problem was not supply. It was ______
transportation breakdowns, corruption, and bureaucratic incompetence.
During Civil War, over ___ Black troops joined Union Army, making up ___%.
180,000
10%
What were black Soldiers of the Civil War called?
Buffalo Soldiers
It is estimated that 200+ women ___ during the Civil War.
served in war disguised as men.
The Civil War took place from ___ to ___
1861 to 1865
During the Civil War, early battles were fought using “___” Principles and by the end we saw a preview of WWI style ____
Napoleonic, trench warfare
When was Abraham Lincoln elected president?
Nov 1860
While the South tended to name their battles after nearby ___, the North name them after ___
cities, rivers/creeks
What were some of the major reasons the Confederacy lost the war?
- poor economy
- lack of manpower and industry
- railroads ran North to South
- Union had unlimited resources and better Generals
In 1855, the national armories began converting smoothbore into ___
rifles
The ___ ignition system was developed in ___ and was unique because it did not have an exposed flash pan.
Percussion cap, 1805
In the ___, muzzle-loaders started getting replaced by ___
1850s, breechloaders
The British Pattern 1853 ___ has the distinction of being the second most common infantry weapon in the Civil War.
Enfield Rifled Musket
Why were rapid-fire weapons rarely used during the Civil War?
waste of ammunition
___ was an essential branch of the armed forces during the Civil War. Each battery having 4-6 guns commanded by a Captain. Each gun had ___ cannoneers.
Artillery, 9
1st submarine to sink a ship during wartime:
CSS Hunley sank USS Housatonic in Feb 1864
What 7 innovations changed the way Wars were fought: (Civil war)
- Telecommunications
- photojournalism
- aerial observation (balloons)
- submarines
- steam and iron-clad ships
- railroads
- rapid-fire weapons
Describe first rapid-fire weapon used in combat.
The Williams breech-loading rapid-fire gun, crank operated, 1.57 caliber, 2,000 yards, used at Battle of Seven Pines in 1861.
What two ships fought to a draw during Civil War?
Monitor and Merrimac off Hampton Roads, VA
What is a portable spike barrier called?
Chevaux-de-friese
Describe gun, Howitzer and early Mortar
Gun- high velocity, flat trajectory
Howitzer- low velocity, arched, adjustable
Mortar- low velocity, very arched, hard to aim
Describe Confederacy campaign strategy.
defensive, trading materials with European powers
Describe Union campaign strategy
Keeping boarder states within Union, blockading coast to start Confederates, dividing the Confederacy
Also known as First Bull Run, this tactical Confederate victory left Southerners overconfident and stiffened Northern resolution.
Manassas, VA, 21 Jul 1861
Tactical victory for the Confederates that almost stopped Southern momentum in an essential border State.
Wilson’s Creek, MO, 10 Aug 1861
This series of battles drove the principle Union Army away from the Confederate capital.
Seven Days’ Battles, VA 25 Jun-1 Jul 1862
Gen. Lee’s Army routed the second prong of the Union effort against Richmond.
Second Manassas, VA 29-30 Aug 1862
In a battle known to the South as “Sharpsburg” Gen. George McClellan failed to destroy Lee’s isolated and weakened Army, but stopped the first invasion of the North. Pres Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which made slavery the main issue of the conflict and kept Europe from recognizing the Confederate States of America.
Antietam, MD, 17 Sep 1862
Two assaults on either end of Lee’s Army both failed with heavy Union losses and the defeat severely affected Northern morale.
Fredericksburg, VA 11-15 Dec 1862
This classic defeat of advancing Union Army paved the way for another invasion of the North.
Chancellorville, VA, 2-4 May 1863
Here the Union Army of the Potomac won its first real victory over lee’s Army ending the deepest invasion of northern territory. The infantry frontal assault by the Confederates on the final day of this battle was called Pickett’s Charge. Deadliest battle in American history.
Gettysburg, PA 1-3 Jul 1863
The largest and costliest battle ever fought in North America (Civil War)
Battle of Gettysburg, PA 1863
The capture of the entire Confederate Army spread gloom through the South, opened the Mississippi River to Union control, and split the Confederacy in two. It brought a man who could match Confederate Leaders to the forefront- Ulysses S. Grant.
Siege of Vicksburg, MS, 19 May- 4 Jul 1863
The capture of this important manufacturing and communication center helped President Lincoln win reelection.
Atlanta, GA 6 May- Sep 1864
Accumulated fragments of the Confederacy’s western and southern Armies made one last bold attack, but overpowering Federal reinforcements forced a retreat.
Bentonville, NC, 19-21 Mar 1865
With the surrender here of its most powerful and prestigious Army, the Confederacy’s doom was assured.
Appomattox, VA 19-21 Mar 1865
