Lesson 4 The Strain of War

Fredericksburg - Confederates win major battle Dec.13 1862 against Union forces in Virginia

Chancellorsville - Confederates win another key battle in Virginia against a larger Union army

Many Union leaders did not measure up to Confederate leaders with their strategies.

Lincoln puts George Meade in charge of the Union army after losing the battle of Chancellorsville

Thousands of African Americans enlist in the Union army to help free slaves in the South

Many faced death or sentenced to slavery if captured by Confederates.

Many African Americans were eager to fight for the Union and served bravely in numerous battles

The 54th Massachusetts infantry regiment was the first all African American fighting force in the U.S. military

Led by commander Robert G Shaw, the 54th served in the battle of Fort Wagner in South Carolina

Casualties were high and the Union failed to capture the fort

Union army finally forces the Confederates in Vicksburg to surrender and now have control of Mississippi River

Grant becomes well known for taking Vicksburg

Union army is victorious in fighting at Gettysburg in PA. Lee retreats with Confederate army into Virginia

Lee has lost Gettysburg but still escape to fight another day

Lincoln travels to Gettysburg to dedicate the battlefield as a National Cemetery.

Lincoln speech is very short but powerful in honoring the soldiers that have died for their country and what they died for

"These dead shall not have died in vain...Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."