Andersonville Prison

In the heart of no man's land, Georgia, lies the Andersonville Prison National Park. During the Civil War, Andersonville was used as a war prison for captured Union soldiers. It is also probably the most inhumane prison to ever be used in the United States. Prisoners were given small rations of coarse food, which caused stomach and bowel problems, leading to disease and undernourishment. Many men lost up to 80 pounds in their time at Andersonville. This meant that prisoners died by the hundreds, then they were carted off in a wagon full of other remains. This was the same wagon used to deliver prisoners' food, which most likely led to the diseased food. Prisoners lived in "shebangs" or small shelters most build by hand, using sticks, stones, logs, vines, and other assorted materials stitched together to make somewhat of a shelter. Many gamblers and traders came to Andersonville to get money from the soldiers, but also to provide goods and money to those who paid or won bets. In the winters, there was barley any wood for fires, some prisoners using twigs the size of matches to cook and try to stay warm. Many men traded and bid for other men's food and molasses, because such little food was given out. There was no soap or anything to wash their clothes or body with. Many Confederate recruiting officers came and told the prisoners 'there country had betrayed them' and tried to persuade them to join, but almost every prisoner said no, because they did not want to dishonor the Union.

Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and March

As Union General Sherman marched to Atlanta from Chattanooga, they were planning. Lots and lots of planning. They had to take Atlanta for a blow to southern morale, and it would guarantee Lincoln's victory in the next election. As they reached Atlanta, Sherman sent a letter to the Mayor asking that all Atlanta residents leave the city, so they would not be injured or killed. The Union army began to sat fire to all military bases and shelters, but some men got carried away and burned down other innocent buildings such as: homes, churches, farms, supermarkets, etc. After the army had captured Atlanta, Sherman stayed there for two months as he waited for approval for his "march to the sea". After receiving approval, Sherman and his army set out towards Savannah, "living off the land", as in relying on farms and such for food and water. This added risk to the march, because if enough food and water was not available soldiers could perish. As they marched, they tore up and bent Confederate railroad lines, effectively cutting off the transfer of supplies from Atlanta. Freed slaves were even allowed to join the march, although Sherman did not like the black people. They went and captured Savannah without a fight, they torched Charleston, and wreaked havoc all through the southeast.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga and the Blockade of Georgia's Coast

As Union General William Sherman came down to Chattanooga, TN to set up a base for the northern army, he decided he needed to try to take Atlanta. General Grant was to assist him in marching into Georgia. Aa they marched, Confederate General Hood intercepted them at Chickamauga. This was the first major battle in Georgia, and the Union army was forced back to Chattanooga. General Grant and the army was trapped in Chattanooga until they opened supply lines from the north, where the city would become the supply hub for the Atlanta campaign. The blockade of Georgia's coast was affecting the Confederates horribly. The Confederate army was not receiving enough food and tools, and their soldiers were either becoming very weak and dying in battle or leaving to join the Union. The south's economy was also failing because they could not ship cotton and tobacco out of their ports. 

The Turning Point: Gettysburg

After Antietam, Lee was a little disappointed that they did not gain land into the north. Even so, he decided to try again to invade the Union territory to gain external support. Although Vicksburg, a supply hub and the only city along the Mississippi still in Confederate control, had just been captured by the Union, Lee knew nothing of it, or he may have changed his mind. As they began their march, many things must have been going through Lee's mind. Problems for the Confederacy such as: the economy was in desperate shape, the slaves were in rebellion against their owners, and that the soldiers did not have enough supplies to survive, so they left to go to the Union. (The last problem was due to the Union blockade) As General Lee's army reached Pennsylvania, they came across a Union camp in the small town of Gettysburg,. They surprised them, some even getting their sandwiches shot out of their hands, and killed a decent amount of people before the Union soldiers began to fire back. After a long few days of battle, the Union army forced the retreat of Lee's army. There were about 50,000 casualties in the battle. This would be the last time Lee would try to invade the north. 

Emancipation Proclamation

After the success of the Battle of Antietam for the north, Lincoln made his plans to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which would free all slaves in states outside Union control. He did not actually emancipate all slaves immediately so that: he could keep the border states in the Union, the Constitutional protection of slavery, the prejudices of most northerners, and that he feared that the Proclamation may be overturned in the next election. The Emancipation Proclamation gave the northern army another purpose for fighting. Not only were they fighting against secession and for keeping the Union a whole, but also against the evils of slavery. Unfortunately for the southern slave owners, they would receive no compensation for their lost slaves, which angered almost all of the south. 

The Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg, MD)

After a series of well fought battle won by the south, Confederate General Robert E. Lee had a surge of confidence. With foreign powers close to recognizing the Confederacy as its own country, Lee believed that one more big victory in the north would finally make the foreign powers recognize them, and end the war quickly. So, he began his march through the north. When they reached Maryland, Lee made a plan for battle. While they were marching, a soldier dropped a copy of the battle plan . The Union army came across this plan and decided to intercept the Confederates in Sharpsburg. As the battle began, it appeared to be going well for the Confederates. All of a sudden, the Union army surged and started to force a Confederate retreat. Finally, the Confederate soldiers were forced to retreat back to Richmond. This battle proved to be the bloodiest single day of fighting throughout the entire war, with 12,000 Union casualties and 10,000 Confederate casualties. Another big event to come from Antietam was the Emancipation Proclamation. Although the battle was technically a draw, Lincoln was satisfied with the results and planned to make the Emancipation Proclamation, after firing General George McClellan for the second time for failing to pursue the weakened Confederate army.

Confederate/Union Strengths and Weaknesses and First Battles (Ft. Sumter and Bull Run)

As the Civil War was beginning, historians began to look at what the north and south had going for them before the war. The Union had many more people, could manufacture their own goods, and controlled the Navy. The Confederacy had a very large, well trained army, Produced their own food, and only had to defend their own territory. There were also a few weaknesses for each side; the Union had a smaller army, they did not produce much food, and their biggest challenge was that they had to invade, conquer, and occupy the south. The Confederacy did not have as many people, they could not manufacture goods, and they began to have transport problems as the Navy blockaded the ports. 
Ft. Sumter was the first battle of the American Civil War. It all started when Union soldiers occupying the fort(Which was in Charleston, SC, a confederate state) would not leave. The army in South Carolina launched an attack on the northern soldiers, overtaking them and taking the fort back. The second major battle in the Civil War was Bull Run, or Manassas. The Union troops marched towards Richmond, the new Confederate capital, with high hopes and even higher spirits. They believed that since they had more men, it would be simple to overtake the south and win the war. People even came to have a relaxing picnic and watch the battle! As the battle began, it seemed as if the north would win, yet there was a surprise for them. Confederate general Stonewall Jackson brought reinforcement at the last minute that effectively sent the Union army scrambling back to Washington, D.C. in a panic.