The Emancipation Decision: Are You Ready: Fill & Download for Free

Lincoln never called directly on the slave states to end slavery.Lincoln did say- repeatedly- that slavery had to be put on a path to eventual extinction- but he saw it as a slow and gradual process. He had no expectation of immediate emancipation. His program was simply to end its expansion- by shutting it out of any territories where it did not already exist- and to find a way to reverse the Dred Scott decision, which had ruled that non-whites in America had no rights under the law.That program, by itself, was enough to send seven states out of the Union when Lincoln won the election of 1860.In his first inaugural address, Lincoln made no demands on the South that they emancipate their slaves. He merely said that he did not recognize the right of any state to declare itself out of the Union regardless of the other states, and that he would make no offensive movement, but would hold and defend all posts that were still in Union hands when he took the oath. When he tried to put that into practice after the firing on Fort Sumter, four more states seceded and three others wobbled.Even then, Lincoln did not immediately call for emancipation. It took a year and a half before he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and even then slave territory in Union hands at the time was specifically exempted. Slaves in Kentucky and Delaware would have to wait until December 1865- when the Thirteenth Amendment was declared ratified and in effect- to be freed. (Missouri and Maryland enacted new free-state constitutions in the meantime; otherwise they too would have been exempt.)One interesting thing to note: in December 1860, a committee of thirteen senators gathered to try to propose compromise measures to thwart secession. Eventually five proposals were reported out of the committee- three from Republicans, one from losing presidential candidate Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, and one from Senator Jefferson Davis of Mississippi. Davis’s proposal was one sentence long: in effect, to make slavery legal in every state and territory of the country, i. e. to ban “free states”. And even as he made that proposal- which he presented, mind you, as a COMPROMISE- he was writing the Mississippi legislature to advise them that the state should secede at the earliest possible moment.Lincoln did not call for Southern states to abolish slavery. The seceding states left because they would not accept anything less than total subservience to slave interests from a national government. If they could no longer control the White House, they were ready to break America- no matter any actual facts on the ground.

The Accomplishments of President Abraham LincolnThe oil painting of Lincoln is by artist and sculptor Richard R. Miller.Abraham Lincoln is remembered for his vital role as the leader in preserving the Union during the Civil War and beginning the process (Emancipation Proclamation) that led to the end of slavery in the United States. He is also remembered for his character and leadership, his speeches and letters, and as a man of humble origins whose determination and perseverance led him to the nation's highest office.President Lincoln endured extraordinary pressures during the long Civil War. He carried on despite generals who weren't ready to fight, assassination threats, bickering among his Cabinet members, huge loss of life on the battlefields, and opposition from groups such as the Copperheads. However, Lincoln remained brave and persevered. He didn't give in to the pressures and end the war early. He kept fighting until the Confederacy was defeated. A lesser man would have given in and stopped the war before the goals had been achieved. Lincoln did not do this.The Emancipation Proclamation didn't immediately free any slaves because it only applied to territories not under Lincoln's control. The actual fact is that legal freedom for all slaves in the United States did not come until the final passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in December of 1865. Lincoln was a strong supporter of the amendment, but he was assassinated before its final enactment.President Lincoln's domestic policies included support for the Homestead Act. This act allowed poor people in the East to obtain land in the West. He signed the Morrill Act which was designed to aid in the establishment of agricultural and mechanical colleges in each state. Also, Lincoln signed legislation entitled the National Banking Act which established a national currency and provided for the creation of a network of national banks. In addition, he signed tariff legislation that offered protection to American industry and signed a bill that chartered the first transcontinental railroad. Lincoln's foreign policy was geared toward preventing foreign intervention in the Civil War.Lincoln's most famous speech was the Gettysburg Address. In the address Lincoln explained that our nation was fighting the Civil War to see if we would survive as a country. He stated it was proper to dedicate a portion of the Gettysburg battlefield as a remembrance of the men who had fought and died there. Lincoln said that the people who were still alive must dedicate themselves to finish the task that the dead soldiers had begun which was to save the nation so it would not perish from the earth.One important way Lincoln effects contemporary society is that we look back on his presidency as a role model for future generations. Lincoln's high character affects us because we compare present-day politicians to the example Lincoln set. Another effect is in the area of quotations. Politicians love to quote Abraham Lincoln because Lincoln is considered America's wisest president. A major effect Lincoln has on the U.S. today is simply through the good example he set when it came to leadership and integrity. Many American politicians in our time try to emulate his thinking by using Lincoln quotes in their speeches.Lincoln had a benevolent leadership style in contrast to oppressive (authoritarian), participatory (democratic), or laissez-faire (hands-off).When there was disagreement among advisors and himself, his leadership style often involved telling a story that demonstrated his point. Lots of times this method worked, and people admired and respected him for it. He could virtually disarm his enemies with his highly moralistic, skillful leadership. Lincoln possessed qualities of kindness and compassion combined with wisdom. In fact, one of his nicknames was "Father Abraham." Like George Washington, Lincoln demonstrated an extraordinary strength of character, but Lincoln's unique style of leadership involved telling stories which explained his actions and influenced others to follow his lead.More than fifteen years ago a book entitled Rating the Presidents by William J. Ridings, Jr. and Stuart B. McIver (Secaucus, New Jersey, Citadel Press, 1997) was published. Seven hundred nineteen professors, elected officials, historians, attorneys, authors, etc. participated in the poll and rated the presidents. Abraham Lincoln finished first, Franklin Roosevelt was second, and George Washington finished third. The categories in which the various presidents were rated included leadership qualities, accomplishments and crisis management, political skill, appointments, and character and integrity. Lincoln was ranked no lower than first, second, or third in any of the categories, and his overall ranking was first among all American presidents.Another poll was released in February 2009. This poll was sponsored by C-SPAN and consisted of a survey of 65 historians. The participants were asked to rank the presidents in ten categories ranging from public persuasion and economic management to international relations and moral authority. Abraham Lincoln finished first, George Washington was second, and Franklin Roosevelt was third.Lincoln rose to the top through sheer ambition and hard work. He had nearly no education at all. He spent less than 12 months attending schools as a youth growing up on the frontier. Each one was very small, and the lessons were most often taught orally, and schools thus got the nickname "blab" schools. Later when he moved to New Salem, Illinois, he began to study law books in his spare time. In New Salem he earned the nickname "Honest Abe." He was almost totally self-educated, and he became a lawyer in 1836, although he never attended college. Lincoln was a very successful attorney with a large practice prior to his election as president in 1860. Additionally, Lincoln served four terms in the Illinois State House of Representatives and one term in Congress.Perhaps the most important action Lincoln took was his decision to fight to preserve the Union. In the end this decision to fight the Civil War resulted in the USA remaining one nation rather than splitting into two separate countries. Although Lincoln was criticized for stepping over the traditional bounds of executive power, he was faced with the greatest threat to federal authority in the history of the country. He felt his job was to protect the Union from disintegrating. Also, Lincoln's contribution in the area of freedom for the slaves is extremely important. He got the ball rolling with the Emancipation Proclamation. We honor Abraham Lincoln for his actions in preserving the Union and beginning the process of freedom for slaves.SUMMARY OF MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS1. Abraham Lincoln made the decision to fight to prevent the nation from splitting apart.2. Abraham Lincoln was an unfaltering commander in chief during the Civil War which preserved the United States as one nation.3. Abraham Lincoln's foreign policy was successful in preventing other countries from intervening in America's Civil War.4. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which began the process of freedom for America's slaves. The document also allowed black soldiers to fight for the Union.5. Abraham Lincoln was a strong supporter of the Thirteenth Amendment that formally ended slavery in the United States.6. Legislation Abraham Lincoln signed into law included the Homestead Act, the Morrill Act, the National Banking Act, and a bill that chartered the first transcontinental railroad.7. Abraham Lincoln set an example of strong character, leadership, and honesty which succeeding presidents tried to emulate. Barack Obama stated during his campaign that he would look to Lincoln as a model.8. Abraham Lincoln gave a series of great speeches before and during his presidency including the House Divided Speech, the Cooper Union Address, the First Inaugural Address, the Gettysburg Address, and the Second Inaugural Address.9. Abraham Lincoln wrote a series of famous letters including the letters to Grace Bedell, Horace Greeley, Fanny McCullough, and Lydia Bixby.10. Abraham Lincoln's quotes are among the most famous quotes in the world.CLICK HERE for a brief summary of Abraham Lincoln's life.Lincoln's Military Leadership During the Civil WarAbraham Lincoln's leadership was steady throughout the Civil War. His faith in the righteousness of his pro-Union policies kept the Union alive during the darkest days of the Civil War. He was a charismatic, moral leader who had a broad strategic vision of his goal (reuniting the nation like it was before the war started; later, freeing the slaves became a second goal). He had great political skill in settling disputes among his Cabinet members and generals, especially when they were dealing with adverse circumstances. His leadership style was at the same time shrewd and disarming. He could handle the most outspoken of his opponents in a classic diplomatic manner. He came from a humble background but, over the years, he grew into a master politician who made no unnecessary enemies. He had a great method of telling stories in an effort to manipulate people into seeing things his way. Lincoln's "story telling technique" was his most distinct and creative leadership method in comparison to other presidents.For much of the Civil War, Lincoln was forced to serve as both commander in chief and chief of staff. This was because when the Civil War began the USA had no organization of high command suited to the vast size of the war operations. Lincoln supplied a good deal of the strategic thinking for the nation's armies despite his lack of technical military knowledge; Lincoln made his fair share of mistakes (including an early-on inability to pick the right man to head the armies). Also, some were fooled by Lincoln's reputation for granting clemency to soldiers and thus felt him too tenderhearted to wage the kind of war necessary to defeat the South. This is not the correct way to analyze Lincoln. He could be plenty tough when it came to plans to defeat the Confederacy.On July 23, 1861, Lincoln wrote some "Memoranda of Military Policy Suggested by the Bull Run Defeat." This was a strategic plan devised by Lincoln, and it read as follows:---------------------------------------------------------------Memoranda of Military Policy Suggested by the Bull Run DefeatJuly 23. 1861.1. Let the plan for making the Blockade effective be pushed forward with all possible despatch [sic].2. Let the volunteer forces at Fort-Monroe & vicinity---under Genl. Butler---be constantly drilled, disciplined, and instructed without more for the present.3. Let Baltimore be held, as now, with a gentle, but firm, and certain hand.4 Let the force now under Patterson, or Banks, be strengthened, and made secure in it's possition [sic].5. Let the forces in Western Virginia act, till further orders, according to instructions, or orders from Gen. McClellan.6. [Let] Gen. Fremont push forward his organization, and opperations [sic] in the West as rapidly as possible, giving rather special attention to Missouri.7 Let the forces late before Manassas, except the three months men, be reorganized as rapidly as possible, in their camps here and about Arlington8. Let the three months forces, who decline to enter the longer service, be discharged as rapidly as circumstances will permit.9 Let the new volunteer forces be brought forward as fast as possible; and especially into the camps on the two sides of the river here.July 27, 1861When the foregoing shall have been substantially attended to---1. Let Manassas junction, (or some point on one or other of the railroads near it;); and Strasburg, be seized, and permanently held, with an open line from Washington to Manassas; and and [sic] open line from Harper's Ferry to Strasburg---the military men to find the way of doing these.2. This done, a joint movement from Cairo on Memphis; and from Cincinnati on East Tennessee.----------------------------------------------------By January, 1862, Lincoln had devised a broad strategic plan to defeat the South. Lincoln wrote to General Don Carlos Buell with a copy also sent to General Henry Halleck:--------------------------------------------My dear Sir: Washington, Jan. 13, 1862.Your despatch [sic] of yesterday is received, in which you say ``I have received your letter and Gen. McClellan's; and will, at once devote all my efforts to your views, and his.'' In the midst of my many cares, I have not seen, or asked to see, Gen. McClellan's letter to you. For my own views, I have not offered, and do not now offer them as orders; and while I am glad to have them respectfully considered, I would blame you to follow them contrary to your own clear judgment---unless I should put them in the form of orders. As to Gen. McClellan's views, you understand your duty in regard to them better than I do. With this preliminary, I state my general idea of this war to be that we have the greater numbers, and the enemy has the greater facility of concentrating forces upon points of collision; that we must fail, unless we can find some way of making our advantage an over-match for his ; and that this can only be done by menacing him with superior forces at different points, at the same time; so that we can safely attack, one, or both, if he makes no change; and if he weakens one to strengthen the other, forbear to attack the strengthened one, but seize, and hold the weakened one, gaining so much. To illustrate, suppose last summer, when Winchester ran away to re-inforce [sic] Mannassas [sic], we had forborne to attack Mannassas [sic], but had seized and held Winchester. I mention this to illustrate, and not to criticise [sic]. I did not lose confidence in McDowell, and I think less harshly of Patterson than some others seem to. In application of the general rule I am suggesting, every particular case will have its modifying circumstances, among which the most constantly present, and most difficult to meet, will be the want of perfect knowledge of the enemies' movements. This had it's part in the Bull-Run case; but worse, in that case, was the expiration of the terms of the three months men. Applying the principle to your case, my idea is that Halleck shall menace Columbus, and ``down river'' generally; while you menace Bowling-Green, and East Tennessee. If the enemy shall concentrate at Bowling-Green, do not retire from his front; yet do not fight him there, either, but seize Columbus and East Tennessee, one or both, left exposed by the concentration at Bowling Green. It is matter of no small anxiety to me and one which I am sure you will not over-look, that the East Tennessee line, is so long, and over so bad a road. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN.-------------------------------------------------------On January 1, 1863, Lincoln decided to let black soldiers into the Union armies. This decision altered the arithmetic of war much more heavily in the North's favor. The decision was one of Lincoln's boldest moves of the war as it might appear to some that the president was getting desperate to win. Also, by the middle of 1863, Lincoln had decided on another important piece of strategy. He told General Hooker, "I think Lee's Army, and not Richmond, is your true objective point. Fight him when opportunity offers."Lincoln maintained this strategy with all his commanders until the end of the war. Lincoln's skill as commander in chief was excellent. He faced an enormous task, and he did not shrink from it as many men would have done. By 1864, after Ulysses S. Grant was appointed General-in-Chief, Lincoln could turn the job of strategic planning over to him. After changing generals many times during the previous three years, Lincoln finally had a man who could win the war. Lincoln now turned most major military decisions over to Grant. The two thought alike which was in direct contrast to Lincoln's previous generals.To sum up, Lincoln was a very good commander in chief. He may not have been a genius, but under the circumstances, his leadership was bold and courageous. A weaker man could not have handled what Lincoln did.I relied heavily on Mark E. Neely's The Abraham Lincoln Encyclopedia in the above discussion of Lincoln's wartime leadership. Perhaps the best book on the subject is Lincoln and His Generals by T. Harry Williams (New York, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1952)The Accomplishments of President Abraham Lincoln

The statues of Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (both military heroes of the Confederacy) should stay erect because it promotes a more complete history of the United States. We shouldn’t just get rid of history because we don’t like what happened. Here is how the timeline that started the Civil War:17th CenturyWhat Caused the Civil War? The over riding issue: Slavery1607British transport white, convicted criminal to colonial Virginia sentenced to a life of slavery. First evidence of introduction of slavery to American mainland.1619Each century planted a seed to define what caused the civil war.Dutch trader introduces black African slaves into Jamestown, Virginia colony to enhance tobacco crop. Early tip to planters of the economic benefits of black slavery relative to white, indentured servitude.1660-1670British respond to need of under populated colonies (Carolina planters) and deliver African slaves to the colonists and stock black slave labor in Maryland and Virginia.18th CenturyA New Century, But the Answer To What Caused The Civil War Is Unchanged.1700'sBritish institute a “Triangular Trade” pouring African slaves into the plantations on the Caribbean islands. Think triangle- -British goods carried south to the west coast of Africa, trade goods for slaves, north to the America’s and trade slaves for sugar and back to English ports.1729English solicitor general signs York-Talbot agreement declaring slavery legal in Great Britain and influences the mind set of a generation of colonists.1774Delegates to first Continental Congress pledge to stop importation of slaves and led by George Washington, John Adams and Patrick Henry. Both Washington and Henry were slave holders.Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush found Pennsylvania Society to promote abolition of slavery. Abolition of slavery gains momentum as a national movement.British born Thomas Paine, author of “Common Sense”, the intellectual spirit of the American revolution, publishes an attack on the immorality of the slave trade.1775General Washington forms the continental army and offers freedom to slaves who serve. Estimates that both free and black slaves amounted to about 5,000 men in the ranks. Loyalist British authorities make similar counter offer.1776Second Continental Congress resolves to end all future importation of slaves.Delegates of 13 colonies sign Declaration of independence and declare “that all men are created equal”, but does not reference slavery by eliminating original Jefferson version.1777Vermont prohibits slavery.1778-1784Massachusetts follows Vermont and momentum over several years reaches other northern states, Pennsylvania and Connecticut in particular, provide for gradual emancipation of slaves.1779George Washington provides in his will for the emancipation of his slaves upon his death. “Upon the decease of my wife, it is my Will and desire that all the slaves that I hold in my own right, shall receive their freedom”. Caveat: note that Washington, as president, was not reluctant to attempt to recover one of his slaves who escaped and crossed a state line under the extant Fugitive Slave law.1785-1786Abolitionist societies formed in Maryland and Delaware.1787Northwest Ordinance creates a federal territory bounded by the Great Lakes in the north, running south to the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River. Supersedes Land Ordinance Act of 1784. Act prohibited slavery in the proscribed territory, but critically did not extend it to the future states to be created in the territory (Supreme court: Strader v. Graham 1851). Congress still operating under Articles of Confederation. Nor did it exclude slaves already held by settlers in the territory.Constitution of the United States signed by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention. Creates a congress that confirms the Northwest Ordinance. The Constitution establishes a methodology for apportioning representatives to congress based on state population and counts each slave as 3/5 of a person. Adoption of the 13th amendment, post civil war, apportionment counting provision no longer legally significant by freeing all slaves and reaffirmed under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.New congress grants itself right to revisit question of importation of slavery post 1808. Congress rejects attempts to bar slavery stirs abolitionist sentiments adding to what caused civil war.1788Federalist Papers 54- James Madison questions morality of slaves as property.Many northern states outlaw slave trade, but do not resolve ownership.1792Kentucky first slave state admitted to the Union. Another direct step adding a deed to what caused the Civil War.1793Fugitive Slave Law denies trial by jury to a run away slave. Law tested and upheld in 1842 before Supreme Court (Prigg v. Pennsylvania).Eli Whitney invents cotton gin. Technology increases profits for cotton and induces wider production of the cotton crop. Picking cotton was a labor intensive cost and hence the utilization of free labor increasing the need of African slaves. Technology directly adds to events answering the question what caused the Civil War.19th CenturyHistory Records The Definitive Response To What Caused The Civil War: Slavery1800Gabriel Prosser plot exposed. Slaves in Virginia plan uprising to murder whites. State executes 25 slaves.1807Great Britain abolishes slave trade and includes all of its possessions. Follows in 1834 total abolition of slavery, and by 1838 includes all of its colonies.1808U.S. follows Britain and abolishes international slave trade. Domestic slavery unresolved.1817Charles Osborne sets course for Quaker abolitionists and publishes newspaper supporting emancipation, “The Philanthropist”.1819Congress authorizes president to send ships to Africa to interdict slave ships.Congress repeals Act that would have prohibited slavery in Arkansas.1820Congress declares slave trade as piracy.Missouri Compromise prohibits slavery in northern part of Louisiana Purchase. A, obvious add-on to the list of what caused the civil war.1821Missouri admitted to the Union as a slave state.1825Supreme Court overturns ruling of lower court in the matter of the vessel Antelope and holds that the right of another nation to engage in slave trade must be respected and compensated for its loss. Francis Scott Key, of national anthem fame, represented the United States in losing argument before the Court.1831Nat Turner slave rebellion kills 70 whites and directly affected the Virginia debate that rejected the gradual abolition of slavery. When the reader seeks the most significant elements to answer what caused the Civil War, history will point to the Nat Turner affair as one that stiffened the resolve of southerners to maintain slavery.1833South Carolina propounds the nullification theory that a state adversely affected by federal legislation has the right to nullify same and consequently withdraw from the Union. This pitted a state against a tariff supported by President Andrew Jackson that imposed a tariff on northern goods imported into the south. A compromise backed by Senators Clay and Calhoun was ultimately passed which reduced the tariff over a period of time. “Nullification” unresolved. This theory of state sovereignty was the later under pinning to withdrawal from the union.1836In response to Senator Calhoun’s ardent support for slavery (1837- “slavery is a positive good”), congress enacted a “gag rule” which tabled abolitionist petitions to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. Closed debate on the subject. Ultimately repealed in 1841 through the efforts of John Quincy Adams.Texas declares its independence from Mexico, ultimately recognized by the United States, but the slave question is unresolved and sectional antagonism appreciates.1841United States v. The Amistad: the lower court ruling was essentially affirmed by the Supreme Court which held that the slaves on board the ship should be freed because they had been illegally obtained, “kidnapped”. The Court distinguished between the Amistad ship and the Antelope vessel case in that the latter dealt with the slaves as property which predated U.S. law declaring the trade illegal, and under the new law the slaves were individuals and not property. John Quincy Adams represented the Africans famously remarked that President Van Buren, advocating for the property rights of Spain, said that Van Buren was a” northern president with southern principles”.1845Irish potato famine introduces new immigration wave into the United States and a new labor source in conflict with the economics of slavery.Texas annexed and U.S. statehood approved with slavery over heated abolitionist voices.1846Mexican American war opens up huge territories for American expansion and extends the slavery question and leads to formation of Free Soil Party in 1848.1850Missouri Compromise: formulated by Senator Henry Clay and supported by northerners, Stephen Douglas and Daniel Webster. A package of bills provided state admission criteria for New Mexico and Utah and without reference to slavery, enforcement of stronger fugitive slave laws (impacting northern states and legalizing slave catchers), prohibiting slave trade in the District of Columbia, and California admitted as a free state.1852Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes her story; “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” infuriates the south. She meets with President Lincoln in 1862 and he remarks, “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war”.1854Congress repeals Missouri Compromise of 1820 and reopens slavery question in the northwest territories.1855Lincoln speaks abhorring negro oppression and satirically misquotes the Declaration of Independence, “All men are created equal—except negroes”.1856John Brown, radical abolitionist, kills five pro slavery advocates.1858President James Buchanan fails to admit Kansas as a slave state. Ultimately admitted as a free state in 1861.Lincoln - Douglas, in Illinois senatorial contest, debate slavery with Lincoln advocating for “ultimate extinction” of slavery.1859John Brown raids Harpers Ferry U.S. arsenal with the intent to arm slaves and create an insurrection. Plan fails and Brown executed.1860Lincoln in New York City speaks at Cooper Union school and declares that federal government has the right to exclude western expansion of slavery. Speech widely distributed and supported by Horace Greely’s Herald Tribune and Abraham Lincoln elected president.South Carolina secedes from Union.1861Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana secede from Union Southern states form under the banner of the “Confederacy” and new constitution.Jefferson Davis elected president of confederacy and declares “white race is superior to Negroes”.South Carolina fires on federal facility, Fort Sumter, and its Commander, Robert Anderson, surrenders three days later to forces of General Beauregard. What caused the Civil War? This critical and concluding act caps this question that began with slavery and forced the hand of the southern states.Reasons Robert E. Lee was a War Hero even though he didn’t win the war (winning isn’t everything):First Bull Run (Manassass).July 21: General Winfield Scott commanded the Union army, whose service also included the War of 1812. He also was the hero of the Mexican American War. Scott developed a two pronged strategy that included the coastal blockade of the southern states which the press dubbed as "Anaconda" (a strangling snake), and an 80,000 man force to take the Mississippi Valley (Roughly 80 regiments). That required time to develop. President Lincoln advocated a much more rapid strike that would end the war. He ordered an advance on Confederate forces entrenched about 25 miles south of Washington D.C. at Manassas Junction, Virginia.The federal army was led by General Irvin McDowell who believed that his 30,000 men were insignificantly trained. The "rebels', 20,000 strong, were commanded by General P.G.T. Beauregard. They were dug in along Bull Run Creek a tributary of the Potomac RiverDespite the raw recruits lack of training, their relentless attacks were on the verge of victory when southern reinforcements arrived led by General Thomas J. Jackson ("Stonewall"---standing "like a stone wall"). The Union Army was subjected to their counter attack which was accompanied with the blood curdling "rebel yell". Their ranks broke, and the attack became a rout. Their fear was magnified by the sight of a huge brass barreled lens that was rumored to be a new confederate rapid firing gun. In fact, it was the first appearance of the Mathew Bradley Manhattan photography equipment on the battlefield..The Confederates had won the field, but had they thrown caution to the wind they could have marched into the Capital of the United States and easily captured it.The balance of the summer of 1861 until early autumn was filled with numerous contacts between the belligerents, but carried no decisive weight in tipping the scale of war. However, the vituperative language between north and south was heated. The north began to refer to the war as the "war of rebellion", and the south adopted the "war of northern aggression". Foreign nations more aptly described the war as "war of secession". The term "Civil War" was a much later addition to the historical record.InsurrectionOn October 16, 1859, his "army of liberation" controlled the armory and sought refuge in the fire house. In 36 hours, almost all of his force was dead at the hands of federal troops led by Lt. Col Robert E.Lee accompanied by Lt. J.E.B. Stuart. Brown's fate was a hangman's rope. The "fort" below as preserved.Robert E.Lee would ultimately lead the Confederate armies and Stuart would again serve under Lee and add valuable services as a commander of the highly regarded rebel cavalry. Lee had a Revolutionary War blood line of that war's hero, "Light Horse Harry Lee".May 31: The Army of the Potomac encamped about 6 miles south east of Richmond in an area known to the Union as Fair Oaks and referred to by the South as Seven Pines. This was the site that Gen. Johnston chose to attack the Federal troops. The alternative would have involved subjecting Richmond to the heavy Union cannons, and a siege which his army could not survive.Both armies were reinforced during the battle, and each side claimed victory. Casualties: 12,000 combined were evenly divided. General Johnston was severely wounded. President Jefferson Davis, a former West Pointer, added the duties of military commander of all his armies. entrusted Gen. Robert E. Lee with the defense of Richmond who promised that the city would not be taken.For General McClellan who claimed victory, his letter to his home may have indicated his despondency:"Victory has no charms for me when purchased at such cost".August 28: General Lee was in character when he ordered his Northern Army of Virginia to attack the Army of the Potomac now under the command of General John Pope who had relieved General McClellan. The rail lines always appeared to be a magnet for the armies. Lee's army marched north and was led by Generals Longstreet and Jackson. Pope's command included General Irvin McDowell who had commanded Union forces at the first Battle of Bull Run one year earlier (October 21, 1961). The battle began with the cavalry raid on Pope's headquarters under the fiery Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. Then Jackson moved against a Union supply depot. The food and drink captured was a bonanza for Gen. Jackson's half starved men.September 15: In this town, at the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, was a cross road and entry point into the north and the south. It was a railroad junction, it had access to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and its arms industry supported the Union Army. All significant factors to attract attention. There is one other fact that attracted Robert E. Lee. The town is a stones throw from the Maryland border. General Lee believed his success in Virginia would continue with a more northerly drive into Maryland.Antietam (Sharpsburg)September 17: General Lee's Northern Army of Virginia crossed the Potomac after the battle at Bull Run. He was determined to give the Army of the Potomac no respite. Although his army had also suffered, he pointed his forces north into Maryland. Lee also believed that the presence of this troops would attract enlistments from Maryland and rebuild his depleted force.--an unfulfilled wish.Opposing Lee, and again leading the Army of the Potomac, was a more confident George McClellan. In the days after Second Bull Run, his army had fought at Turner, Fox and Crampton Gap (September 14). They were battle hardened veterans. His subordinate, General Hoooker, mounted several early attacks which were thwarted as Lee, cleverly, moved troops from one flank to cover the point of attack.The day began with an early morning attack on the Confederate left flank. The Union army began with a huge advantage in numbers,75, 000 men. Lee's forces began the day with one third of the Federal troop strength. Despite evidence and intelligence to the contrary, McClellan would insist the entire day that he was out numbered and therefore desisted from offensive actions, or pursuit, because of his imaginary fear of an imbalance. Some historians believe that Lee began the day with only about 20,000 men awaiting Jackson reinforcements from Harpers Ferry, which thanks to McClellan's 2 day delay to complete plans, arrived in time to augment Confederate lines leaving them with a definitive 2 to 1 man deficit.Joseph Hooker began an attack on the Confederate left flank at the Dunker Church. Men , with fixed bayonets, charged across an open cornfield that was sprayed with shells and musket balls. The Confederates broke, but reorganized when reserves arrived under General John Bell Hood. The Union line broke and began to flee the field. Hood pursued and he was met by an artillery barrage and Federal reinforcements. It was now 10 A.M. After 4 hours of battle 8,000 men lay dead and wounded. The Union advance had been halted. Hooker was wounded, but only one of 18 generals, evenly divided, to die or wounded by days end. Dunker Church, during the battle, housed Confederate armed with signal flagsNow the battle shifted to the center of the Confederate line. Five separate attacks were mounted against the Confederates who lined a sunken country lane that divided separate farms. The road, now known as "Bloody Lane", were strewn with dead and wounded in grey uniforms. One more attack would have cut the center of Lee's army. McClellan did not believe that was "prudent".The last battle of the day was the Union attack on the enemy's left flank. They were led by General Ambrose Burnside's corps. A goodly portion of the fight was to gain control over a small bridge spanning Antietam Creek. (The Union army named battle sites after the nearest landmark, and the southerners would reference the nearest inhabited area.) Four attacks with 12,000 men were held back for three hours by 400 Georgians.They were suddenly reinforced by a Jackson Division under the command of Gen. A.P. Hill. Burnside called for reinforcements. Unfortunately, his plea was directed to McClellan and rejected. He and his troops were forced to retrace their steps over the bridge they had fought so hard to win.The Confederates finally retired and joined a long line of retreating troops seeking safety on the south side of the Potomac. McClellan had his last chance to become an American idol. He failed to strike Lee's army which surely would have ended the war. Total casualties: 23,000.For Lee, his invasion of the north was aborted. He had hoped that a victory would bring aid from England and France.Their neutrality was now assured. Lee would receive less encouraging news from his Western Theater of operations, and Lincoln did not extend third chances to McClellan. But it did give the Union bragging rights after the Confederates were first to leave the battlefield.Reasons Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was a War Hero even though he didn’t win the war (winning isn’t everything):The Army of the Potomac landed near Fort Monroe, Virginia in March of 1862 with 50,000 men and heavy artillery. His forces were destined to face the Army of Northern Virginia under the command of General Joseph Johnston, a duplicate of the cautious McClellan. Northern forces were quickly augmented by another 50,000. He had expected more reinforcements from Union operations in the Shenandoah Valley, but those troops were otherwise engaged in chasing the Confederates under Gen, T.J. Jackson. McClellan would also be confronted with rain every 2 out of 3 days causing severe illness in the ranks.Seven PinesWinchesterMay 25, 1862: Winchester was strategically located on an east/west roadway ending in Washington D.C. It was a hub for several railroads in and crossing the Shenandoah Valley that was designated by the Union Army brass as the Middle Department. The Union troops were racing to occupy this important center. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson swiftly moved his regiments, part of the the Northern Army of Virginia, to intercept the enemy. He routed the Union troops commanded by Nathaniel P. Banks, and captured a huge supply of war materiel much need by the Confederates. The Union forces barely escaped to refuge on the north side of the Potomac River thanks to the fatigue of the pursuing enemy forces.Second Battle of Bull RunAugust 28: General Lee was in character when he ordered his Northern Army of Virginia to attack the Army of the Potomac now under the command of General John Pope who had relieved General McClellan. The rail lines always appeared to be a magnet for the armies. Lee's army marched north and was led by Generals Longstreet and Jackson. Pope's command included General Irvin McDowell who had commanded Union forces at the first Battle of Bull Run one year earlier (October 21, 1961). The battle began with the cavalry raid on Pope's headquarters under the fiery Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. Then Jackson moved against a Union supply depot. The food and drink captured was a bonanza for Gen. Jackson's half starved men. One soldier reported on the bonanza:"I soon found, in one corner of the second story, a room full of officers’ rations and several soldiers supplying themselves with coffee, sugar, molasses, etc. When we had appropriated all that we could carry, we found a barrel of whiskey, which we soon tapped; but as our canteens were full of molasses, and our tin cups full of sugar, we had nothing to drink out of. We soon found an old funnel, however, and while one would hold his hand over the bottom of it, another would draw it full. In this way it was passed around".As the battle extended into a second day over the same territory as First Bull Run, it was evident that its scope would be greater than the earlier battle. Pope was now bent on catching Jackson's forces. General Pope has since been judged as always ready for the fight, but not a good tactician. He overlooked the substantial Longstreet reinforcements that reached Jackson.On the third day, the Confederates had broken the Union lines over a 2 mile front. A repeat of a Bull Run route of 1861 was barely avoided by a strong rear guard action that held the pursuing Confederates. Total casualties: 25,000.Stonewall Jackson attacked the town and blessed his Confederate cause with immense war booty and 12,000 Union prisoners. It was his misfortune that he had to abandon Harper’s Ferry to heed the call to reinforce the Northern Army of Virginia engaged in battle at Sharpsburg, Maryland.Harpers Ferry would change hands 8 times (14 times including minor incursions) during the Civil War. and finally rest in the Union camp as part of the newly created state of West Virginia.Antietam (Sharpsburg)The last battle of the day was the Union attack on the enemy's left flank. They were led by General Ambrose Burnside's corps. A goodly portion of the fight was to gain control over a small bridge spanning Antietam Creek. (The Union army named battle sites after the nearest landmark, and the southerners would reference the nearest inhabited area.) Four attacks with 12,000 men were held back for three hours by 400 Georgians.They were suddenly reinforced by a Jackson Division under the command of Gen. A.P. Hill. Burnside called for reinforcements. Unfortunately, his plea was directed to McClellan and rejected. He and his troops were forced to retrace their steps over the bridge they had fought so hard to win.The Confederates finally retired and joined a long line of retreating troops seeking safety on the south side of the Potomac. McClellan had his last chance to become an American idol. He failed to strike Lee's army which surely would have ended the war. Total casualties: 23,000.For Lee, his invasion of the north was aborted. He had hoped that a victory would bring aid from England and France.Their neutrality was now assured. Lee would receive less encouraging news from his Western Theater of operations, and Lincoln did not extend third chances to McClellan. But it did give the Union bragging rights after the Confederates were first to leave the battlefield.Overall the Civil War generals who led their men onto the major battlefields of the war reflected a range of virtues and vanities that affected the war's outcome. In the main, most were courageous; some too cautious and others too aggressive. Many were political appointees, and the few who were not competent, were quickly replaced. Nevertheless, even the best tacticians, fearless leaders, were capable of mistakes that cost lives and turned the tide of battle against them.