22 And the War Came

Summary

The video chronicles the American Civil War in 1862, highlighting key battles and leadership struggles. Confederate General Robert E. Lee outmaneuvers Union forces, notably in Antietam and Fredericksburg, despite being outnumbered. The Union's morale falters due to heavy losses and political dissent, while President Lincoln faces personal and national despair. Photographer Matthew Brady's war images reveal the brutal realities of battle. By the end of 1862, the Confederacy seems poised for victory, creating a precarious situation for the Union. The year marks a crucial turning point, with both sides facing critical challenges in the war’s progression.

Takeaways

• 😀 General Lee's military strategy in 1862 was characterized by boldness, aggression, and risk-taking, which contrasted sharply with General McClellan's cautious approach.
• 😀 Despite being outnumbered, Lee fought McClellan to a stalemate at Antietam, the bloodiest day of the war, and demonstrated superior leadership on the battlefield.
• 😀 The Union's defeat at Fredericksburg, under General Ambrose Burnside, was one-sided, with wave after wave of Union soldiers being mowed down by Confederate forces entrenched behind a stone wall.
• 😀 The Union Army faced a series of significant setbacks in the East, and by the end of 1862, the Confederacy appeared to be in a stronger position both militarily and politically.
• 😀 Matthew Brady's October 1862 photographic exhibit, which featured images of dead soldiers from the Battle of Antietam, shocked the Northern public and highlighted the brutal reality of the war.
• 😀 At the end of 1862, morale in the Union was low due to military defeats and President Lincoln's personal grief over the death of his son, Willie.
• 😀 The Union's military leadership in the East was under intense scrutiny due to its failures in several major battles, leading to a perception that the Confederacy might win the war.
• 😀 Confederate forces, particularly under Lee and Stonewall Jackson, launched counteroffensives that reversed Union momentum and even threatened Northern territory.
• 😀 By the end of 1862, the Confederacy had successfully invaded Northern states like Maryland and Kentucky, signaling the strength of their military position.
• 😀 Historian James McPherson notes that the war's progress was erratic, with the Union initially seeming to have the advantage, but Confederate successes causing a shift in the balance by year's end.

Q & A

What was the significance of the year 1862 for the Confederacy?

1862 marked the high-water mark for the Confederacy, as it experienced key victories, notably in the Eastern Theater under General Lee, despite being outnumbered by Union forces.

How did General McClellan's leadership affect the Union's chances in the East?

General McClellan consistently overestimated the Confederate forces, which led to hesitation and missed opportunities. His lack of boldness allowed General Lee to exploit these weaknesses and achieve success.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Antietam, and why is it significant?

The Battle of Antietam ended in a tactical stalemate, but it was the bloodiest single day of the war. It highlighted General Lee’s resilience and strategic prowess in the face of a numerically superior enemy.

Why was the Union defeat at Fredericksburg so devastating?

At Fredericksburg, General Burnside led the Union troops into a disastrous frontal assault against well-entrenched Confederate forces. The Union suffered heavy casualties, and the battle became infamous for its one-sided slaughter.

How did the deaths of Union soldiers and public exposure to war images affect the Northern morale?

Matthew Brady's photographs of the dead from Antietam shocked the Northern public and contributed to a growing sense of the war's brutal reality, leading to demoralization and concern about the war's direction.

What personal challenges did President Lincoln face during the Civil War in 1862?

In addition to the military defeats, President Lincoln faced personal grief with the death of his son, Willie. These challenges led him to question the Union’s prospects and feel discouraged about the war.

How did General Lee’s leadership contrast with McClellan’s during the campaigns of 1862?

Lee’s leadership was bold, aggressive, and willing to take risks, while McClellan was hesitant and overly cautious, often underestimating Lee’s abilities and overestimating the strength of Confederate forces.

What was the impact of the Confederate victories in 1862 on the morale of both the North and South?

Confederate victories, especially in the East and at Fredericksburg, bolstered Southern morale and confidence, while Northern morale was severely impacted by military setbacks and political divisions.

What does the 'seesaw' metaphor, used by James McPherson, describe about the Civil War in 1862?

The 'seesaw' metaphor describes the fluctuating fortunes of both sides during the year. While the Union had early successes in the West, Confederate counteroffensives by the summer and fall of 1862 reversed the Union’s gains and brought the Confederacy back into the fight.

Why did many observers believe the Confederacy was on the verge of winning the war by the end of 1862?

By the end of 1862, Confederate victories and their successful campaigns, including Lee’s invasions of the North and the success in the West, led many to believe the Confederacy was gaining the upper hand and possibly on the verge of victory.