The Civil War 1864-1865“Total War”

Mr. Wagner

Total War

Total War - Strategic OverviewBy 1864: North attacking all

forms of South’s resistanceNorth targets South’s

economy and population Undermine morale and

psyche of South’s entire population

That means: North wages TOTAL WAR on the South, - plain and simple!!!

“Father Time” is slowly beginning to favor the NorthWhy?

South’s Only Chance/HopeDelay defeat until Nov. 1864 Election

Why? Friendlier Democratic administration to negotiate treaty

terms that may benefit the South or “let them off the hook.”Lincoln fears the Copperheads

What is a Copperhead? Members of the Union who opposed the Civil War. Mainly

Democrats who wanted a peaceful resolve with the South to end the war

Why does Lincoln fear them during the election? Because of the Democratic Party’s stated platform position

on the war and the way Lincoln has handled his first four years in office

Election of 1864Lincoln runs for re-election under the National Union

Party ticket Andrew Johnson is his VP candidateWhat are the two main political parties we have today in

the U.S.? Republican and Democrat

A very famous man runs for the Democratic Party ticket with a famous Copperhead as his VP candidateWho is this man?

George B. McClellan and VP Candidate George Pendleton War Democrats and Peace Democrats

Balance the ticket

Democratic National Ticket

N.U.P. Propaganda

Election of 1864 (cont.)Lincoln feels he has very little chance of being re-

elected to lead the UnionWhy?

The war has been dragging on for over four years up until this point with the death toll rising rapidly. The idea of “peace” with the South seems like it could catch fire with the public that the Copperheads have created

“Don’t change horses in the middle of a stream”Emphasized by Lincoln/Republicans and War

DemocratsThe fall of Atlanta to Sherman in early Sept. also

supplants Lincoln’s re-election over McClellan

Election of 1864 ResultsLincoln re-electedOnly 25 states of the Union participate in the

election since 11 Southern states had seceededLincoln received 212 Electoral College Votes

Only needed 117 to winMcClellan only received 21

However, the Popular Vote was closer than one might thinkLincoln received 55% of the populous voteMcClellan received 45% of the populous vote

Over 4,031,000 people voted

Populous Vote 1864 by County

1864 – Old Face, New PositionLincoln’s response to the Copperheads?

Promotes Ulysses S. Grant to General in Chief of the Union Armies on March 10, 1864 Grant is now a 3-Star General and is the

first Lt. Gen. to lead all Armies of the U.S. since George Washington

Grant pursues the Confederate Army on what he deems his multi-front Grand Strategic Plan How is this different from Grant’s

predecessors? Grant is aggressive like Lee and will openly

pursue Lee and not retreat after Lee initially may grab the upper-hand in a battle

Grant’s Grand Strategic PlanProposes multi-front “grand” strategy (as

planned out West) – What exactly is this plan? Any guesses?Simultaneous Advance on all Southern frontsStrategy of Exhaustion (West) & Attrition

(East)

Grant’s Grand Strategic Plan (Cont.)What is a War of Attrition?

Both sides have similar/equal strength, and each side attempts to force their opponent to surrender by wearing the other down over an extended period of time

Grant to Meade: “Lee’s army is your objective!”Strategic Deployments of the Plan:

Eastern Theater – Meade’s AOTP pursues Lee’s ANV Objective: Cut off Richmond’s rail supply from Petersburg

Western Theater – Sherman’s Army advance on Gen. Joseph Johnston’s army in the heartland of the South Objective: Destroy South’s resources used to support

Confederate forces – attack logistics and supply lines

The Virginia Campaign Strategic Overview 1864-1865

Grant and Meade with 119K troops cross Rapidan on May 4th

Conduct series of Flanking maneuvers and vicious fighting and bloody battles

Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-7, 1864) Commanders, Troops, and Objectives

Commanders – Grant and LeeStrengths and Weaknesses

Both highly competent and aggressiveTroops – Union holds nearly a 2:1 advantage in men

Grant – 119,000Lee – 64,000

Objectives – Tactical, Operational, & StrategicGrant – Turn Lee’s flank & force him to retreat

Destroy Lee’s army & the South’s main instrument to wage warLee - Use terrain (thick veg. of Wilderness) to dilute

Union’s 2:1 advantage in man power

Battle of the Wilderness - TerrainLee effectively uses dense vegetation of Wilderness

to dilute Grant’s 2:1 advantage in troopsUnion Army unable to set skirmish line with troop &

artillery batteries

Battle of the Wilderness - ResultsTactical, Operational, & Strategic Results:

Brief tactical setback for Grant- loss: 17K casualties

Lee takes advantage of thick woods: 10K casualties

No significant operational or strategic changePossible exception- what happens after:

Grant orders Army of Potomac to continue drive Instead to withdrawing to regroup & refit Why? Army ordered to keep pressure on & flank Lee

Union morale & confidence improve