North (Union) VS. South(Confederate)
Causes of the war:
Confederate: The reason for the Confederate fighting the war was for independence. They wanted to separate from the North and become their own country. This was because they did not agree an issue: Slavery. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president, that sparked another reason for the start of the Civil War. The Confederate believed that African-Americans were made for slavery and believed that it was okay. Abraham Lincoln becoming president meant that he would fight for the end of slavery. But the Confederate also fought to protect their war as the Union were the ones attacking.
Union: The Union fought the war because they really had no choice. If they didn't fight, the Confederate would separate from the United States and would become their own independent country. This was all because the Union was against slavery. And Abraham Lincoln, was against that, and wanted all of the states to be unified and slavery to be abolished. The Union felt that slavery was inhumane and needed an end.
States:
Union States: Maine, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, California, Nevada, and Oregon.
Confederate States: Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. |
Uniforms:
These are the uniforms of the Confederate soldiers of different ranks during the Civil War.
These are the uniforms of the Union soldiers of different ranks during the Civil War.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages of each side
North (Union): Advantages:
- Had an advantage with the industrial capacity; they produced 97 percent of the country's firearms, 96 percent of its railroad locomotives, 94 percent of its cloth, 93 percent of its pig iron, and over 90 percent of its boots and shoes
- Were in charge of the Navy, so they owned the seas
- Had a population of more than 22 million
- Were assisted by foreign countries such as Germany, Ireland, England, and Canada
- Had strong leaders
- Controlled 70% of the nation’s railroads making travel and transportation much easier
- Were at a time where their economy was at its greatest
- Throughout most of the war, the Union fought as offense and had to plan out attacks and had to conquer bases and land
- Had little knowledge of the terrain of the Southern states
- Soldiers were not as committed to the war as the Confederate
- It was necessary to win or the country would be split into two and the democracy would be destroyed
- Knew their terrain better than their enemy which helped with the defending of their territory
- Had leaders more stronger leaders than the Union
- Soldiers were committed to the fight
- Had a skilled cavalry
- Had intelligence and strategy
- Fought with pride; after all they were defending their own families and homes
South (Confederate) Disadvantages:
- Relied on foreign trade to get the necessities they needed
- Didn’t receive much of an alliance from foreign countries
- Had a small population of 9 million (3.5 million were slaves)
- Were not recognized by foreign countries
- Had a huge amount of land to defend
- Little transportation since Union controlled most of the railroads
flags:
Union flag during the Civil War (There were only 34 states hence the 34 stars).
Confederate flag during the Civil War.
Comparison of War costs and Casualties between the Union and Confederate
Letters from Civil war soldiers:
Confederate soldier John Sweet of the 9th Tennessee Infantry:
We have just returned from a trip into East Tenn where we got big amounts of everything to eat and everything we eat is so good to me as I had been starved out so long on some bread & beef, all that we got while we were here besieging Chattanooga. up there we got sweet and Irish potatoes, chickens, molasses, wheat bread and everything that was good for a poor soldier. Oh, how I do wish that I could be at home now, for it is getting late in the evening and I have had nothing to eat since breakfast and no telling when we'll get rations for our rations are out, since we left our ration wagons behind in coming here to this place, for I know you have all had a good & plentiful dinner. I know you will say poor John, but this is only a chapter in military service which we often read, but I am content and will be more so when we get rations. The independence of the bounty is what I want and I am I am willing to suffer for something to eat many, many days if it will only send me to my dear parents, a full and independent boy.
The enemy still holds their position in Chattanooga and our lines drawn up close around the place. We are now on the top of Lookout Mountain overlooking the town. We have a fine view of our entire line and also of theirs. It is said that we can see into five different states from our position. It is very cold up here, as cold as it is where you are in mid-winter. You must excuse this exceedingly bad letter as I have written in great haste. My love to you and all. Write when you can and a long letter as I am very anxious to hear from you.
John H. Sweet
Union soldier Francis Russell from the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry:
Washington City, D. C.
Sunday, Dec. 14th 1862
Dear Mother and family.
I will take the pencil to let you know we are all well. At present hoping this will find you in the same. we let White Hall Station on Thursday about 4 Clock in the afternoon and got into Washington about 4 oclock in the morning on Friday whitch maid about 12 hours on the way, we then stay ther untill yesterday when we had orders to march about 6.5 miles and when I heard this I went to the head doctor ast him what I would do for I know that I could not carry my knapsack, so he told me that I would have to stay hear and so all them that could not stand the march was sent to the hospitle. Ther was 10 out of our Companny and that was myself and a nother young man, we did not hear the name of the place that they wer going to, but both James and Bob said that they would wright as soon as they wer sitteled that is they would wright home to you, ther is abut 50 sick and wounded in the department that I am in, I think that I will not be in hear very long, for I will try and get eather home or get to my Regiment for I don't like this very well, it is not because I am not treated well for it is six times better than I expected but I canot be contented a way from my companny, my arm is about the same, I wright this mearley to let you know something about myselve for I canot say anything about the others now but I will have to stope so no more at present but reman your son and Brother.
Francis M. Russell
Address your letter to Stanton Hosepittle, Washington City. C.C.
I wish you would send me some postige stamps as we have not got paid yet, my money has run ashore and I want to wright some and so on.
Yours, F. M. R.
We have just returned from a trip into East Tenn where we got big amounts of everything to eat and everything we eat is so good to me as I had been starved out so long on some bread & beef, all that we got while we were here besieging Chattanooga. up there we got sweet and Irish potatoes, chickens, molasses, wheat bread and everything that was good for a poor soldier. Oh, how I do wish that I could be at home now, for it is getting late in the evening and I have had nothing to eat since breakfast and no telling when we'll get rations for our rations are out, since we left our ration wagons behind in coming here to this place, for I know you have all had a good & plentiful dinner. I know you will say poor John, but this is only a chapter in military service which we often read, but I am content and will be more so when we get rations. The independence of the bounty is what I want and I am I am willing to suffer for something to eat many, many days if it will only send me to my dear parents, a full and independent boy.
The enemy still holds their position in Chattanooga and our lines drawn up close around the place. We are now on the top of Lookout Mountain overlooking the town. We have a fine view of our entire line and also of theirs. It is said that we can see into five different states from our position. It is very cold up here, as cold as it is where you are in mid-winter. You must excuse this exceedingly bad letter as I have written in great haste. My love to you and all. Write when you can and a long letter as I am very anxious to hear from you.
John H. Sweet
Union soldier Francis Russell from the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry:
Washington City, D. C.
Sunday, Dec. 14th 1862
Dear Mother and family.
I will take the pencil to let you know we are all well. At present hoping this will find you in the same. we let White Hall Station on Thursday about 4 Clock in the afternoon and got into Washington about 4 oclock in the morning on Friday whitch maid about 12 hours on the way, we then stay ther untill yesterday when we had orders to march about 6.5 miles and when I heard this I went to the head doctor ast him what I would do for I know that I could not carry my knapsack, so he told me that I would have to stay hear and so all them that could not stand the march was sent to the hospitle. Ther was 10 out of our Companny and that was myself and a nother young man, we did not hear the name of the place that they wer going to, but both James and Bob said that they would wright as soon as they wer sitteled that is they would wright home to you, ther is abut 50 sick and wounded in the department that I am in, I think that I will not be in hear very long, for I will try and get eather home or get to my Regiment for I don't like this very well, it is not because I am not treated well for it is six times better than I expected but I canot be contented a way from my companny, my arm is about the same, I wright this mearley to let you know something about myselve for I canot say anything about the others now but I will have to stope so no more at present but reman your son and Brother.
Francis M. Russell
Address your letter to Stanton Hosepittle, Washington City. C.C.
I wish you would send me some postige stamps as we have not got paid yet, my money has run ashore and I want to wright some and so on.
Yours, F. M. R.