The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Virginia primarily focused on Petersburg, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War. It was not a classic military siege, in which a city is usually surrounded and all supply lines are not cut off, nor was it strictly limited to actions against Petersburg. The campaign is more popularly known as the Siege of Petersburg. The campaign was nine months of trench warfare in which both the Confederates and Union sustained extreme losses due to the slowness of Civil War military leaders to adapt their combat tactics to the rapid advance of technology in weapons. (Blakefield
First of all the geography forced the Confederates to switch from offense to defense. The Battle of Gettysburg was the first and last battle fought in the North. All the other battles were fought in the South so the Confederate’s people and towns were constantly in danger. Document A illustrates that the General Lee were tired of being on the defense and wanted to be on the offense for a change. Document A states that even though the Confederates tried their hardest they were pushed back onto the defensive and ultimately lost the war (273).
The Battle/Siege of Vicksburg The Battle of Vicksburg was one of the most crucial points in the Civil War. It helped Eradicate the Rebels/Confederacy once and for all. The Civil War was fought for over 4 years and it lasted from 1861-1865. It was one of the most horrific wars the world has ever known and witnessed.
The Civil War. Louis P. Masur’s book, The civil War: a Concise History, Is a book that gives an overview of the civil war from 18 to 1800, Providing multiple causes an consequences that emerged from the war. The book begins by reviewing the origins of the war. Chapter one covers the issues between northern and southern states and the tension over right and slave possession. The tension created a conflict that raised a number of political, social, and military events that then proceeded into a battle to abolish slavery from the colonies.
From June 26 to July 2, 1862 the Seven Days Battle was an attack by General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army that comprised of six different battles. McClellan 's army had the intent of capturing Richmond, Virginia, but Lee lunched a counter attack and drove McClellan’s army back to the sea. This ended the Peninsula Campaign. With a Confederate Victory, this increased morale in the South, because of the string of victories Lee had had. Lee would soon be victorious at battles following seven days battle, such as Fredericksburg.
The Peninsula Campaign was an offensive strategy the Union used to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond. Led by General George B. McClellan, the Potomac army would travel by boat to Fort Monroe in late April. McClellan planned to travel to Richmond along the peninsula formed by the York and James rivers. McClellan did not fight or act until late may, the first part of the Campaign took place at the battle of Seven Pines. The Confederacy was led by General Joseph E. Johnston, however, due to injury General Robert E. Lee took command of the Confederate army.
In the battle of shiloh Grant was able to fight off the confederate soldiers and hold them off while getting reinforcements and eventually being able to win the battle. On the first day of “Bloody Shiloh,” Grant saved his army, and on the second day he counterattacked and drove the enemy forces from the battlefield and back toward Corinth. General Grant Despite its disastrous start, Shiloh was a major victory for Grant. Grant led his army from the front and would stick to his plan of attack, and was able to adapt to the attacks of the Confederates.
Fort Sumter The battle of Fort Sumter was the first major battle of the American Civil War. The battle lasted for April 12th to April 13th. Roughly 80 Union soldiers and roughly 500 Confederate soldiers were involved in the altercation. On April 12th Andersen had promised to surrender on April 15th but soon learned that that was not soon enough.
Petersburg was the first battle Beauregard actually fought in since Shiloh. At Petersburg, he led a crucial defense. Robert E. Lee and P.G.T Beauregard surrendered to William T. Sherman at Appomattox. This ended the Civil War with a victory for the Union. After the war, Beauregard was pursed a position in the Brazilian Army, but he declined the offer.
A long succession of mishaps in this battle confirmed the exhaustion and frustration plaguing both the Union commanders and their troops. The Union lost almost 6000 men in just an hour, compared to fewer than 1500 Confederates. Both sides again used trenches and earthworks for their protection, but it was ultimately a defensive victory for the South. Grant regretted this battle: "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made...No advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained.” It signified the end of the Overland Campaign, but Grant shifted the focus of his operations to a new campaign - the Siege of Petersburg.
Grant’s overall goal in the campaign was to capture the Confederate capital, Richmond Virginia. Grant realized that maneuvering over occupied Confederate territory would result in catastrophic losses but it was a risk he was willing, and felt one he needed to take. Grant first encountered Lee in the battle of the wilderness. The terrain included steep hills and immensely thick brush. Chaos reigned supreme in the battle as 26,000 men died in the period of three days.
The Civil War is considered to be the bloodiest episodes of warfare in American History. During this war, there were numerous well known battles. One of the most famous battles was called the Second Battle of Bull Run. The Second Battle of Bull Run was fought over August 28-30, 1862. Although this battle lasted only 3 days, there were approximately 22,000 casualties during this span.
The Battle Of Gettysburg The battle of Gettysburg occurred on July 1-3, 1863 in Gettysburg,Pennsylvania. Most people fail to realize how important this battle was during the time of the “Civil War Period” The battle of Gettysburg was one of the main battles of the Civil War. The battle lasted three full days.
The Battle of Gettysburg was key to the eventual Union victory over the Confederacy. There were many other things that had to fall into place around the same time, that are often overlooked, in order for this to be viewed as the turning point of the war. The victory proved that Lee was not immortal and could be defeated on the battlefield. This victory also left him without the ability to strike the Union offensively, leaving him to fight defensively and attempt to win a war of attrition with the Union who had more manpower. The Western Theater had all but been decided by the time the Battle of Gettysburg had occurred, allowing the Union to focus the majority of their major resources on the Eastern Theater and the defeat of Lee and capture of the Confederate capitol,
The Battle technically lasted 3 days, September 16-18 1862, although, the main fighting was only on the 17th. George McClellan was the Union General of the troops in that Battle, and Robert. E. Lee was the confederate General. Lee was at a disadvantage because his army was half the size of McClellan’s army. Both sides suffered about 10,000 casualties and the Battle was generally considered a tie, it was thought that the Union army could have shattered Lee’s army if they had pursued him back south.
Early in the War the Union won several key battles including Ft. Donaldson, Nashville, and the two-day bloody battle of Shiloh. They also captured bases for the blockade fleets and drove Confederate armies out of West Virginia but the