The Civil War

The Civil War is acknowledged as the greatest war in American history. Known as "The War that Never Ended". Nearly three million fought, and 600,000 died. It was the only war fought on American soil by Americans, and for that reason we have always been fascinated with The Civil War.

On April 12, 1861, at 4:30 AM, Confederates under General Pierre Beauregard opened fire upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina with the use of 50 cannons. The Civil War began. The Civil War lasted 4 years, from 1861 until 1865. The Civil War has been called the first modern war by many historians. The Civil War was caused by an endless amount of conflicting forces, principles, and prejudices, instigated by sectional differences and pride, and set into motion by a most unlikely set of political events.

At the root of all of the problems was the slavery. The abolishment was considered one of the most influential and south. The American Revolution had been fought to validate the idea that all men were created equal, but slavery was legal in all of the thirteen colonies. Eventually its existence came to color every aspect of American life. A new president, Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address was at once firm. He decided it would be best to wait to broach the subject of slavery and compel the southern states to come back into the Union.

The War began. The North seemed to have a greater advantage, they were backed up by the President. Lincoln, however, didn't have the type of power a President in our time does. Lincoln faced extreme hardships and pressures. George Thomas, from Virginia proved to be one of the Union army's steadiest and most competent field commanders. President Abraham Lincoln numbered members of his wife's family among his secessionist antagonists and John C. Pemberton, of Philadelphia, also helped Lincoln's crusade.

Stonewall Jackson was well known, even at the time, as an eccentric and a strict follower of the rules. He fought with General William Loring in Western Virginia and had reason to arrest A.P. Hill for violating marching regulations. John Bell Hood was arrested and threatened with court-martial after 2nd Bull Run when he refused to turn over ambulances his men had captured to General Nathan Evans. The troops under the command of Braxton Bragg despised him and his generals deified him when he failed to follow up his advantage after Chickamauga.