In South Carolina, there were two forts that were under control of the government. One of these was Fort Sumter, and it stayed under Union control after South Carolina seceded. Abraham Lincoln sent supplies to the federal troops inside the Fort, but the South Carolinian forces opened fire, and defeated the fort. Fort Sumter was the first battle of the war, and a victory for the Confederacy, giving the southerners confidence. Even after this, the Union was extremely confident that they would easily defeat the rebels, so when a battle at Manassas broke out, citizens from Washington even came out to watch. Their views quickly changed, as the Confederacy made a huge comeback, thanks to Stonewall Jackson, and the Federals retreated, scared of the unexpected tactics and skills of the Southern Army. This battle significantly lowered the confidence of the North, and increased it for the South. Antietam was an invasion of the North, led by Robert E. Lee. Lee believed that if he were to make one big blow to the Union by invading them, England and France would recognize the Confederacy as a country, and provide support and troops. Union soldiers found a copy of Lee's battle plan, and General McClellan intercepted the rebel army, and defeated them. It was technically a draw, because Lee's army just turned around, and the Union did not chase them. England and France did not help the Confederacy, and the Union was more confident.
Image From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sumter.jpg
Image from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Bull_Run
These battles were all a significant in the Civil War, and the war may have turned out differently without them.
Image From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam
No comments:
Post a Comment