As Doris Kearns writes at the start of this chapter, “the summer of 1863 marked a critical transformation in the Union war effort.” Many things were taking place that would alter the course of the war. Let’s go over a few of them.1. Lincoln decided to organize and deploy black troops. One can only imagine the impact this had in the South. Not so much in military terms, but just seeing black soldiers must have horrified the rebels. It was slavery and the race issue that caused the war. Now they have to fight against former slaves and freed blacks. The nation was indeed changing and the Southerners had to know that their day was past.
2. Things were going well in Tennessee for Union forces. Lincoln had always considered Tennessee an important military sector. It looked like that area, and its critical rivers, would soon be in Union hands.
3. The important battle of Gettysburg took place in early July of 1863. If you watched the Ken Burns Civil War series on PBS you probably know something about this 3-day battle (if not, watch the entire series, it is wonderful!). This was probably the turning-point for the Union forces. After suffering several defeats in early 1863, the men in blue turned back General Lee at Gettysburg. Lee suffered tremendous losses in his ill-fated Pickett’s charge on the last day of the battle. The high-tide of the Confederacy had been reached.
4. Ulysses S. Grant secured Vicksburg on July 4—the same day as the Union victory at Gettysburg. This key city on the Mississippi River further hemmed in rebel forces.
So Lincoln was hopeful that the war would end soon. But unfortunately, that would still take some time. Even though the Union armies now had the upper hand, many tough battles were still to come.
The almost simultaneous Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in early July represent, no doubt, the watershed moment in the military conduct of the Civil War. The former victory closed the Mississippi River and partially divided the Confederacy, while the latter victory ended the last serious attempt by the Army of Northern Virginia to invade the North and capture the Union capitol.
ReplyDeleteI would highly recommend renting the 1993 film: “Gettysburg.” No film, that I can remember, does a more excellent job of combining “Hollywood with documentary.” You will enjoy it even more if read about the battle prior to viewing.
To appreciate the sacrificial contribution of black soldiers, I would also highly recommend renting the 1989 film: “Glory.”
Tim Utter
It was slavery and the race issue that caused the war. Where did this so-called historian get this? The war was CAUSED by the Federal government not recognizing the rights of the States! Slavey was but one issue. The South outlawed slavery and the slave trade in THEIR Confederate Constitution!The Union did NOT outlaw the slave TRADE until much later! They outlawed slaverY. This did little to help the slaves in the North. Go find out what REALLY happened lady! Don't go by what you read in your 1940-1990 history book or what your cronies tell you.
ReplyDelete"2. Things were going well in Tennessee for Union forces. Lincoln had always considered Tennessee an important military sector. It looked like that area, and its critical rivers, would soon be in Union hands." AGAIN, not true! Tennessee has the most Civil War battle sites than any state other than Virginia! What does that tell you? It sure as heck DOESN'T say that things were 'going well' in Tennesee! For heaven's sake, Tennessee was more divided than any other state period! The east was pro-union and the mid and west was confederate. It was a horrific time in the state. It was a horrific time for the country. Lincoln bears the fault for all of this and everyone wants to call him such a hero. Some hero! The first president to let war crimes go unpunished! How many southerners were raped, tortured and murdered? That's the story they don't tell you. And again, it is always said that slavery was the reason for the war. It was not. That reason came later...after the war had already started. The main reason was the rights of the states. The slave issue was but one issue...an issue that was going out anyway! The Confederate Constitution outlawed slavery and the slave trade itself! The north did not want that. It was too lucrative for them with all their profitable ports! The north did not do away with the slave TRADE until much later. Look it up! Jefferson Davis was imprisioned for THREE YEARS without being charged! That in itself was ignoring the Constitution Lincoln said he was upholding. Yeah, right.
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