No End in Sight

President Lincoln made George McClellan

command of the Union army in the East. Lincoln wanted McClellan to attack the

Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, but McClellan refused.

In the meantime, Ulysses S. Grant was the general of the Western Union army.

Why do you think McClellan refused to attack Richmond?

Union Victories in the West

Grant took control of two river forts Fort Henry

and Fort Donelson in Tennessee.

Effect on Union Confederate defenses are dramatically

weakened.

Effect on the Confederacy Grant opens up a “river highway” into the heart

of the South. Half of Tennessee is now in Union hands.

Grant’s Success

http://www.history.com/videos/the-battle-of-shiloh#the-battle-of-shiloh

Battle was in Tennessee Confederate surprise attack on the Union. The

Union held and pushed the Confederates back. Casualties: Union – 13,000; Confederacy – 13,000.

Quote analysis: What do you think, “The scenes on this field would have cured anybody of war,” means?

What do you think the term “hornets nest” means?

Battle of Shiloh

On April 25th, 1862, a Union fleet led by

Admiral David Farragut captured New Orleans. The Union was on its way to achieving its goal

of splitting the Confederacy in two.

How might the fall of New Orleans have affected Southern trade?

Fall of New Orleans

After the fall of New Orleans, McClellan (Union)

started advancing towards the capital of Richmond.

In the meantime, Robert E. Lee took control of Confederate troops.

He sent a spy to locate McClellan’s position and attacked the Union army.

The two sides fought for a week, hence the name “Seven Days’ Battle”.

Although the Confederates suffered heavier losses, the Union was forced to retreat.

Seven Days’ Battles

Continuing with their victories, the

Confederates also won another battle at Bull Run.

Within just a few months, Lee had ended the Union threat in Virginia and gave Confederates hope of winning the war.

Why do you think there was so much military activity in Virginia?

Second Battle of Bull Run

Riding the wave of success, Lee decided to invade the

Union. He wrote a letter to President Jefferson Davis about his

plan, but didn’t wait for a response back. This changed the South’s strategy of fighting a defensive war.

Reasons for invading: Victory in the North might force peace talks Invasion would give Virginia farmers a rest from the war

during harvest season Confederates could plunder (steal) from the North He hoped it would show that the Confederacy could win

the war and have European nations to side with the South.

Lee Invades the North

How did the South’s luck change after Lee

took command of the Army of Northern Virginia?

Do you think it was a good idea for General Robert E. Lee to invade the North? Why or why not?