Brian_Battlefield_Tactics

=**Civil War** Battlefield Tactics and Strategy= =toc=

Tactics
The Union and the Confederacy had similar tactics. Both based their tactics on the French general [|Napoleon Bonaparte]'s battles. This consisted mainly of offense and dramatic victories. These tactics would generally work, as shown in previous battles prior to the Civil War, however when the rifle was invented in 1850, these tactics had to be altered. The massed infantry assault was no longer effective due to the rifle's long range, allowing many volleys to be fired at the charging army. Cavalry and artillery were also more vulnerable to the rifles as well. Massed infantry assaults were generally used as a last resort tactic. One example of the ineffectiveness of a massed infantry assault is [|Pickett's Charge], at the Battle of Gettysburg. More turning maneuvers (moving behind or to the side of the enemy) were used during the civil war, avoiding more bloodshed and face to face battle. Commanders also took advantage of new technology, such as the railroads, telegraphs, land mines, and even hot air balloons. More defensive warfare was used, using trenches and fortifications so as to provide protection from rifles. Generally armies would form lines of soldiers to fire thick volleys, however at the risk of exposing them more to the enemy. A 100 (10 by 10) man column could decrease vulnerability, however decreased the amount of bullets in each volley. Small groups of soldiers called skirmishers would travel separately trying to determine where and how many enemy troops were present. After that had been determined, they would form back together into lines. After the Civil War, Americans ceased to use line formations in warfare, focusing more on defensive warfare, strategic raids, and guerrilla tactics.

Confederate Strategy
The Confederates had a simple goal, which was to not be conquered by the Union. All they wanted to do was to secede, and defend their land. At the start of the Civil War, they used a "cordon strategy," basically meaning that they spread their troops around the Confederacy in order to not have one spot conquered. However this proved to be a weak strategy as the Union could focus their troops at one spot and break through their defenses. In 1862, they formed their "offensive-defensive" strategy, concentrating troops at key points to defend, as well as attack when an opportune moment came, even if it was just a small scaled attack. [|Jefferson Davis] particularly attacked points that would hurt [|President Lincoln] politically.

Union Strategy
The Union had a much harder job than the Confederates. Because the Confederates only wanted to secede, the Union had to find a way for them to surrender or seize all of their states. One plan made by General Winfield Scott, was the Anaconda Plan (explained in the Anaconda Plan section). [|McClellan] wanted to capture the capital of the Confederacy, which was Richmond, Virginia, while also somewhat following the Anaconda plan. By doing this he hoped to break the South's will to fight which was essential for winning the war. Halleck's plan was to capture the Mississippi river and liberate Tennessee, also following [|Winfield Scott]'s Anaconda Plan. [|Ulysses S. Grant] had a completely different approach, called "total war." Basically he destroyed crops, farms, resources, and anything dear to the Confederacy's war effort. By doing this he successfully broke the Confederate's will to fight. Lee, who at that time was trying to desperately merge his armies, was cut off by Grant, and forced to surrender, effectively ending the Civil War.

**The First Battle of Bull Run**
 The First Battle of Bull Run was an effort by the Union to end the Civil War quickly by capturing Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital. General Irvin McDowell marched thirty-five thousand troops from Washing D.C. to Manassas, Virginia to fight Confederate General Beauregard’s twenty thousand troops opening the path to Richmond. On July 21, both armies started the fighting with a feint attack on the enemies right flank and the real attack on the opposite side. If both generals had been successful in doing this the armies would have flipped sides and been sent marching toward the enemy capital with little opposition. McDowell was more successful in executing the plan and the Union was able to put the Confederates on the defensive, except for one brigade headed by General Thomas Jackson. Due to Jackson’s efforts, General Joseph Johnston, commanding twelve thousand men, was able to board trains to Manassas to support Beauregard. These new troops changed the battle dynamic and allowed the Confederates to stabilize their lines and move in on the Union. Once the Confederates had regained control Beauregard ordered an advance on McDowell’s men. The Union’s right flank slowly gave way and the troops became a fast moving rout heading back to Washington D.C. Unfortunately for the Confederates, fatigue and a lack of a plan made it tough for them to capitalize on the opportunity to move in on the Union capital. The result of this battle made it clear that this war would not be as short planned.

**The Fight for The Mason-Dixon Line**

[[image:mason-dixon-line.jpg width="268" height="178" align="right" caption="A line used to separate the Union (blue) and the Confederacy (grey). The red states are border states."]]
The South struggled to pass the Mason-Dixon Line in an attempt to win the Civil War, however were doomed at the start due to their ample supplies. When Virginia joined the Confederacy in 1861, it immediately became the center of the South's plans. Because Virginia was close to Maryland and Pennsylvania, the Mason-Dixon Line, an imaginary line separating the North and South, became vulnerable. Both President Lincoln of the Union and President Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy realized that Maryland was key to winning the Civil War. The state could increase the Confederacy's white population by 45%, possibly make other borderline states join the South, and would provide a direct springboard into Pennsylvania and North beyond the Mason-Dixon Line. Keeping Maryland as a part of the Union was tough for Lincoln, as he had to resort to unconstitutional methods to put down Southern supporters. Knowing that there was little chance of successfully capturing Maryland, Jefferson Davis sought for an offensive-defensive strategy, making the North attack on the Confederacy's turf, while attacking at opportune times. Robert E. Lee who was appointed general, once again brought up the idea of capturing Maryland, which would raise morale, gain supporters in Maryland, and then provide a direct route to the illustrious Mason-Dixon Line to hopefully win the Civil War. However, Lincoln immediately sent George McClellan's army to the Potomac River to put down Lee's army before they got to Pennsylvania. In addition to this, Lincoln also suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus, thus allowing officers to imprison rebels without the worry of the legal system back-firing on them. After being defeated, Lee tried once again to invade Pennsylvania, however had an accidental encounter with the same army at Gettysburg. Suffering a tremendous defeat, 30,000 of Lee's army did not follow him back to Virginia, and all hope of crossing the Mason-Dixon Line vanished, leading up to Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses E. Grant in 1865.

Anaconda Plan
==== In the midst of the Civil War, Brevet Lieutenant [|General Winfield Scott] formulated a long term plan to defeat the Confederacy. The plan consisted of separating the South by traveling through rivers, and blockading more than 3,000 miles of Confederate coast in an attempt to lower communication and supplies. Seizing the Mississippi River would be essential to split apart the South. Critics at first scolded him, wanting a short term plan, and accused him of supporting the South because he was born in Virginia. However, after the Battle of Bull Run/Manassas, both sides realized this was going to be a longer war than expected. The Anaconda Plan, named after a snake who slowly strangles its victim, was the basis that led to the Union's victory; it being a much calmer approach rather than facing everyone head on.

The Battle of Gettysburg
== == The Battle of Gettysburg was a crushing Confederate defeat, and a turning point in the Civil War. In June, 1863, General Robert E. Lee's army marched into Maryland and Pennsylvania looking for supplies and to lead General Joseph Hooker's army away from Virginia. Lee's army began plundering towns and farms on a constant Northern approach. On June 30th, some Confederate infantry encountered the Union cavalry near the town of Gettysburg. The Union retreated after some attacks coming from the North, waiting for reinforcements. Reinforcements arrived, however Lee approached the Union army from their left and right sides, and the Union's defense began to weaken. Fortunately for the Union, the Confederates could not organize their attacks to properly exploit the weaknesses. The Union held out in a strong defensive position in which Lee was unable to break from any side. Lee attempted to attack the Union's center, a battle called "Pickett's Charge," however suffered many casualties. Lee blamed the failure on himself, and when he saw no more opportunity to attack, he retreated on July 4th.