The American Civil War - OverSimplified (Part 2)

Summary

This video script narrates the tumultuous events of the American Civil War, highlighting key battles, strategies, and figures like Generals Grant and Lee, President Lincoln, and Clara Barton. It details the Union's struggle for control, Confederate invasion attempts, and the pivotal battles at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. The script also touches on the political climate, including Lincoln's re-election and the eventual surrender of the Confederacy. The video emphasizes the war's impact on the nation, the preservation of the Union, and the strides made towards abolishing slavery and advancing civil rights, with Lincoln's legacy as a symbol of American values.

Takeaways

• 🛑 The Civil War saw various Union generals attempting to take control of the South, with Generals Grant and Sherman achieving significant victories, particularly in the West.
• 🔄 Confederate attempts to invade Kentucky and secure Native American alliances were unsuccessful, and the Mississippi River was a strategic battleground.
• 🏰 The battle for Vicksburg was pivotal, as its fall would split the Confederacy in two, leading to a month-long siege and eventual Union victory.
• 🔄 Lincoln faced challenges in finding a capable general to lead the Union Army, with Generals McClellan, Burnside, and Hooker all failing to achieve decisive victories.
• 🌧️ The winter of 1862-1863 saw low morale, disease, and desertions in both armies, with Lincoln pardoning deserters to maintain troop numbers.
• 🚫 Conscription was introduced in both the North and South, leading to controversy and riots in New York City due to the exemption of the wealthy.
• 👤 The Union began allowing black men to enlist, and by war's end, nearly 200,000 black troops, 10% of the Union Army, had joined, demonstrating great valor and bravery.
• 🏆 General Grant's relentless strategy of attrition against General Lee in Virginia, despite heavy Union casualties, ultimately wore down the Confederate forces.
• 🏛️ The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point, with the Union's victory there and the subsequent fall of Vicksburg marking a significant shift in the war's momentum.
• 🗳️ Lincoln's re-election in 1864 was secured following the capture of Atlanta and the Siege of Savannah, which demonstrated Union strength and determination.
• 🏁 The end of the war came with General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House and General Johnston's surrender to Sherman, leading to the largest surrender of the war.
• 🕊️ The Civil War resulted in the preservation of the Union, the abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment, and set the stage for further progress towards equality.

Q & A

What was the significance of the city of Vicksburg during the Civil War?

Vicksburg was a Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. Its capture by Union forces would split the Confederacy in two, disrupting their supply lines and making it easier for the Union to control the region.

Who were the two Union generals that led the campaign to take Vicksburg?

General Ulysses S. Grant and his best pal General Sherman led the campaign to take Vicksburg.

What was General Burnside's strategy at the Battle of Fredericksburg?

Burnside's strategy was to rapidly cross the river and take the city of Fredericksburg. However, delays in receiving pontoon bridges from the Union War Department forced the Union army to camp across from the Confederates.

What was the impact of the Battle of Chancellorsville on General Lee's army?

Despite being outnumbered, General Lee won the Battle of Chancellorsville, which was considered his masterpiece. However, he suffered a significant loss when his right-hand man, Stonewall Jackson, was mistakenly shot by his own troops and died eight days later.

How did the Union's approach to the war change with General Grant's leadership?

General Grant introduced a strategy of pressing the Confederates on all fronts, accepting heavy casualties in the belief that the North could replace its losses while the South could not. He persistently attacked and flanked Lee's forces, eventually pushing them back towards Richmond.

What was the significance of the fall of Atlanta to the Union?

The fall of Atlanta was a major victory for the Union. It was one of the Confederacy's most important cities, and its capture signified that the Confederacy's defeat was becoming inevitable.

What was General Sherman's strategy during his March to the Sea?

General Sherman's strategy was to cut off his 62,000 men from their supply lines and march through the heartland of the Confederacy, living off the land and wreaking havoc by destroying infrastructure, farms, and communication lines, thereby striking at the morale and support of the Confederate army.

What was the outcome of the siege of Petersburg?

The siege of Petersburg lasted for 292 days. After numerous failed attempts to break through, a Union assault finally pushed the Confederates from their defenses, leading to General Lee's retreat and eventual surrender.

What was the significance of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution?

The 13th Amendment constitutionally banned slavery throughout the United States, marking a significant step towards freedom and equality for black individuals.

What was the immediate aftermath of President Lincoln's assassination?

Following President Lincoln's assassination, the nation went into mourning. A 12-day funeral procession carried Lincoln back to Springfield, Illinois. John Wilkes Booth, the assassin, was found and shot in a barn in Virginia, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis was tracked down, arrested, and imprisoned for two years before being released.

How did the Civil War impact the concept of American identity and values?

The Civil War tested the nation's identity and values, ultimately leading to the abolition of slavery and the establishment of rights for black citizens. It also highlighted the importance of perseverance, courage, and unity, with President Lincoln emerging as a symbol of these values.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Struggle for Control and the Siege of Vicksburg

The video begins with a mention of sponsorship by Honey and an introduction to the ongoing Civil War struggles. It highlights the Union's efforts to maintain control in the East, the Confederate invasion of Kentucky which was repelled, and the Native American tribes' alliances to secure post-war rights. The narrative then focuses on General Ulysses S. Grant's significant victories along the Mississippi, particularly the strategic move against Vicksburg, a key Confederate stronghold. The fall of Vicksburg would split the Confederacy in two. Meanwhile, President Lincoln, after dismissing General McClellan, seeks a new commander to lead the Union Army of the Potomac southward to capture Richmond. General Burnside is chosen for his impressive sideburns and is tasked with this mission, setting the stage for the Battle of Fredericksburg.

05:01

🔥 The Battle of Fredericksburg and the Turning Tides of War

This section details the Battle of Fredericksburg, where General Burnside's Union forces faced a devastating defeat against General Lee's Confederate army. Despite initial plans to swiftly cross the river and capture the city, delays in receiving pontoon bridges led to a prolonged standoff and a massive Union attack that ended in failure. The summary also touches on the harsh winter of 1863, the spread of disease in the camps, and the increasing desertion rates on both sides. President Lincoln's compassionate acts of pardoning deserters and the introduction of conscription with its associated controversies in the North are also mentioned. The Confederacy's struggle with its economy and the Union's slow shift towards allowing black men to enlist, which eventually led to a significant portion of the Union Army being African American, is highlighted. The paragraph concludes with General Hooker taking command and facing defeat at the Battle of Chancellorsville, where General Lee's unconventional tactics led to a surprising victory despite the odds.

10:02

🛠️ Grant's Western Offensive and the Siege of Vicksburg

The narrative shifts to the Western theater, where General Grant, nicknamed 'Unconditional Surrender Grant,' is making significant strategic moves. Grant's bold maneuvers, including a cavalry raid and feinting General Sherman north to confuse the enemy, are described. His clever use of ironclads on the Mississippi River and a strategic move northeast to cut Vicksburg's supply lines and protect his rear from Confederate armies in Jackson is outlined. The paragraph details the month-long siege of Vicksburg, during which Grant showed patience and Lincoln encouraged him to hold firm, ultimately leading to the Union gaining control of the Mississippi River. The summary also mentions the people of West Virginia breaking away to form their own state and the search for a new general in Washington, with General Meade taking charge of the Army of the Potomac as the Confederates plan an attack.

15:02

🌟 The Battle of Gettysburg and the Fall of Vicksburg

This section recounts the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, which marked a turning point in the Civil War. The battle began with skirmishes in the town of Gettysburg, leading to a full-scale confrontation between General Lee's Confederate forces and General Meade's Union army. The Union's successful defense against Lee's flank attacks and the decisive defeat of the Confederates during Pickett's Charge are highlighted. The fall of Vicksburg on the 4th of July is also mentioned, symbolizing a significant Union victory. The narrative then shifts to the Western front, where General Rosecrans initially pushes the Confederate forces out of Tennessee before suffering a setback at the Battle of Chickamauga and being placed under siege at Chattanooga. The paragraph concludes with a humorous note on trading items during temporary truces and a callback to the video's sponsor, Honey, which helps save money online.

20:04

🔨 The Siege of Chattanooga and Lincoln's Re-election

The summary of this paragraph begins with the siege of Chattanooga, where General Grant, now in charge of all Western Union armies, successfully breaks the Confederate siege and pushes back General Bragg's forces. It then moves on to describe the establishment of a new national cemetery at Gettysburg and President Lincoln's attendance at the opening ceremony, where he delivered the historic Gettysburg Address. The narrative discusses the challenges Lincoln faced in his re-election campaign due to the ongoing war and the lack of a decisive victory in the East. It details General Grant's promotion to general-in-chief and his new strategy of pressing the Confederates on all fronts, including the capture of Mobile, Alabama, and General Sherman's advance on Atlanta. The paragraph concludes with the siege of Atlanta and the impact of these military operations on Lincoln's re-election prospects.

🏆 Lincoln's Re-election and the End of the Civil War

This final paragraph outlines the events leading to President Lincoln's re-election and the end of the Civil War. It describes the fall of Atlanta, which marked a turning point and boosted Lincoln's popularity, ultimately leading to his Electoral College landslide victory. The paragraph details Lincoln's efforts in passing the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, and his second inauguration speech, which focused on reunification. It also recounts the assassination of Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and the subsequent manhunt for the conspirators. The narrative concludes with the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House, the surrender of General Johnson to Sherman, and the end of the war. It reflects on the challenges of the Reconstruction era, the progress made towards equality, and the enduring legacy of President Lincoln as a symbol of American values.

Keywords

💡Union

The Union refers to the Northern states of the United States during the American Civil War, which were opposed to the secession and fought to preserve the nation's unity. In the video, the Union's struggle is depicted through various battles and generals, such as General Grant's victories and Lincoln's leadership, illustrating the North's efforts to maintain the Union and defeat the Confederacy.

💡Confederacy

The Confederacy, or the Confederate States of America, was an unrecognized country formed by 11 Southern states that seceded from the United States, aiming to uphold the institution of slavery. The video script describes the Confederates' attempts to invade Kentucky and their eventual defeat, highlighting the South's struggle for independence and the war's impact on their cause.

💡General Ulysses S. Grant

General Ulysses S. Grant, also known as 'Unconditional Surrender Grant,' was a Union general and the 18th President of the United States. In the video, Grant is portrayed as a key figure in the Union's military success, particularly in the capture of Vicksburg, which split the Confederacy and was a turning point in the war.

💡Vicksburg

Vicksburg was a strategic city located on a high bluff along the Mississippi River. Its capture by Union forces, as depicted in the video, was crucial as it allowed the Union to gain control of the Mississippi River, effectively dividing the Confederacy and contributing to its ultimate defeat.

💡Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address was a speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, commemorating the fallen soldiers of the Battle of Gettysburg. The video mentions this speech as a poignant iteration of America's national purpose and the need to continue fighting, underscoring its significance in American history.

💡13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The video script notes Lincoln's involvement in ensuring its passage, marking a historic turning point in ending slavery and advancing civil rights in the United States.

💡General Sherman

General William Tecumseh Sherman was a Union general known for his 'March to the Sea' during the Civil War, which was a strategic and devastating military campaign. The video describes Sherman's tactics of living off the land and inflicting damage on the Confederacy's infrastructure, showcasing his role in hastening the end of the war.

💡Reconstruction

Reconstruction refers to the period after the Civil War during which the Southern states were reintegrated into the United States. The video mentions this era as a difficult time, involving military occupation and the beginning of rebuilding and reformation of the South after the war.

💡Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. Although not explicitly mentioned in the video, the concept is alluded to in discussions of Lincoln's policies and the eventual end of slavery.

💡John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth was an American stage actor who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The video script recounts the tragic event of Lincoln's murder at Ford's Theater, emphasizing the shock and mourning that gripped the nation following this unprecedented act of violence against a U.S. president.

💡Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. The video mentions his arrest after the war and subsequent release, illustrating the complex political and legal issues surrounding the Confederacy's leadership and the process of reconciliation.

Highlights

The video discusses how the Union's struggle in the East continued while the war raged on elsewhere.

Confederates' invasion of Kentucky was thwarted as they were pushed back.

Native American tribes in the Indian territory allied with sides in the Civil War to secure post-war rights.

General Ulysses S. Grant and General Sherman led significant victories along the Mississippi, targeting Vicksburg.

The fall of Vicksburg would split the Confederacy in two, prompting intense Confederate defense.

President Lincoln sought a new general to lead the Union Army of the Potomac after dismissing General McClellan.

General Burnside's campaign ended in defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg, impacting Northern morale.

The Union began allowing black men to enlist, which by war's end made up 10% of the Union Army.

General Joseph Hooker faced General Lee at Chancellorsville despite being outnumbered, resulting in a Confederate victory.

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the war and resulted in a massive Union victory.

After a month-long siege, Vicksburg fell to Union forces, giving them control over the Mississippi River.

The fall of Vicksburg coincided with the 4th of July, marking a significant moment in the war.

General Sherman's march through the South was a strategic move to undermine the Confederate army's support.

The siege of Petersburg ended with a Union breakthrough, forcing General Lee's retreat.

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is highlighted as one of the most famous speeches in American history.

Lincoln's re-election was influenced by major Union victories, including the capture of Atlanta.

The assassination of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth is described, causing national shock and mourning.

The end of the Civil War and the beginning of the Reconstruction era are marked by the surrender of Confederate forces.

The Civil War resulted in significant changes, including the abolition of slavery and the granting of citizenship and voting rights to freed slaves.

Abraham Lincoln is remembered for his perseverance, empathy, and courage during the darkest times of the nation.

Transcripts

- [Narrator] This video was made possible by Honey.

Stick around to learn how you can save money

when you shop online.

(ominous music)

As the Union's struggle

to take control in the East continued,

elsewhere, the war raged on.

The Confederates attempted an invasion of Kentucky,

hoping the state as a whole would join them,

but they were pushed back.

The Indian territory saw Native American tribes ally

with one side or the other

in the hopes of securing rights after the war.

Along the Mississippi, General Ulysses S. Grant

remained one of the few Union generals

scoring major victories.

With his best pal General Sherman by his side,

Grant led his armies down the Mississippi

to the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg.

Both sides knew that if Vicksburg fell,

the Confederacy would be split in two,

and the Confederates prepared for an intense defense

of the city.

But back in the East, Lincoln still wanted somebody

to march south and take Richmond.

Having given General McClellan the boot,

he needed a new man in charge.

All right, Mr. President,

option one is General Hooker.

Bit of a nutcase, but a good general.

Option two, his qualifications are his name is Burnside,

and he has freakin' dope-ass sideburns.

Say no more!

So General Burnside was put in charge

of the Army of the Potomac and sent south.

Lincoln hoped he finally had a general who could succeed.

Burnside met General Lee at the city of Fredericksburg,

where he intended to rapidly cross the river

and take the city.

But the Union War Department was too slow

in delivering the pontoon bridges,

and the two sides were forced to camp

across from each other, close enough to speak.

Hey, Yankee, ready to get your butt kicked?

Yeah, right, Rebel. God is on our side.

No way! God's on our side!

Oh, ya think so?

Well, why don't we ask him?

Hey God, whose side are you on?

(lightning zaps)

Ow. Dude, uncool.

With over 100,000 men, the Union army

finally launched their massive attack

on the 11th of December.

But by now, the Confederates had amassed their forces.

During the battle, wave after wave of brave Union men

marched headlong into a brutal Confederate onslaught.

Even the Confederates couldn't believe

what they were seeing,

and in one moment of comradery, a Confederate sergeant,

unable to take it,

reportedly came out into the field

to tend to the Union wounded.

Seeing this, the Union troops held their fire.

Still, Burnside and his forces were soundly defeated

at Fredericksburg and forced to retreat.

Lincoln's popularity and Northern morale

continued to plummet, especially as the winter

heading into 1863 was bad.

The winter camps were rife with disease.

The food was less than appealing.

On both sides, men began to leave.

Hey, where do you think you're going?

I'm deserting.

What?! Don't you love your country?

Yes, I do, and I'm trying to get back to it

as quick as I can.

Lincoln, ever the kind and caring man he was,

spent much of his time pardoning deserters' death sentences.

Oh my, here's a 17-year-old boy

sentenced to be hanged.

Well, I'd better suspend his sentence

or he'll be suspended tomorrow.

(men groaning)

What?

Try to keep the numbers up,

both sides had introduced conscription.

There was controversy in the North, however,

since Rich men could simply pay

to have someone else fight on their behalf.

Riots broke out in New York City,

with enraged mobs, furious at the idea

of going to fight for slaves,

an idea that many of them simply did not support.

However, after so much pressure,

the Union had finally begun allowing black men to enlist,

and these men,

knowing what they were fighting for, signed up.

By the end of the war, nearly 200,000 troops,

10% of the Union Army, would be black.

The valor and bravery

they showed throughout silencing critics.

Okay, well that last guy was useless.

Let's try this Hooker fellow.

General Joseph Hooker was put in charge

of the Army of the Potomac,

and once again, Lincoln ordered him to move south

and take Richmond.

Hooker met Lee at the battle of Chancellorsville,

where Hooker had over twice the men Lee did.

Lee was forced to defy all military convention

and split his smaller force into two.

Lee had absolutely no chance of winning, and Lee won.

It was his masterpiece.

Lee did suffer one significant loss

during the battle, though.

As his right-hand man, Stonewall Jackson,

was riding back to the Confederate lines at night,

the nervous Confederate troops,

unable to recognize him,

opened fire. (rifle firing)

You boys done goofed up.

Jackson died eight days later.

As for Lincoln, he couldn't believe it.

It was yet another loss,

and Northern support continued to waver.

While the Union kept on struggling in the East,

out West, Unconditional Surrender Grant

was making moves as always.

In an attempt to take Vicksburg on the Mississippi,

he made a series of risky and bold movements.

He sent a cavalry raid,

and feigned Sherman north to confuse the enemy.

Then, aided by a fleet of ironclads on the river,

he raced his army south to cross the Mississippi.

Aware that the terrain to the north was restrictive,

instead, he strategically moved northeast,

hitting Vicksburg's supply line and defending his rear

from Confederate armies in Jackson.

Once he reached Vicksburg,

the Confederate defense became hardened,

and Grant was forced to settle in for a month-long siege,

during which time, he got rather bored.

Despite not taking the city, Lincoln loved it,

and encouraged Grant to hold firm.

It would only be a matter of time before the Mississippi

was in Union hands.

Around this time, the people in the west of Virginia,

who had remained loyal to the Union throughout,

finally broke away to form their own state.

They could have named it anything in the world,

but the creative minds at the time

came up with the ingenious West Virginia.

Back in Washington, Lincoln once again wanted a new general

to take command.

Oh my goodness.

Why do all these 19th century generals look so bust?

Look, we got Sleepy Eyes Joe here.

That's Princess Leia with a mustache.

E.T., phone the doctor!

Fine. Why don't we give Snapping Turtle McGee here a shot?

So General Snapping Turtle McGee

was put in charge of the Army of the Potomac,

and it was a crucial time for the Union,

because once again, the Confederates decided to go

on the attack.

So far, they had done exceedingly well militarily,

but as the war kept going,

the Confederate economy was crumbling.

Riots broke out in the streets of Richmond

as the price of bread skyrocketed.

Supplies were dwindling.

Jefferson Davis wanted to send men west to rescue Vicksburg,

but General Lee knew the longer the war lasted,

the worse their chances got,

and he still hoped if he could just threaten DC,

the already demoralized North would surrender.

So in June, 1863, with the momentum behind him,

General Lee once again entered the North,

fighting his way through Maryland and into Pennsylvania.

General Meade set out to meet him

for what would be the most significant battle

of the entire war.

If the Confederates won, DC could fall.

If the Union won, it would be a turning point,

as the Confederates would run out of steam,

and the small town that was to get caught up

in the crossfire of the largest battle in American history

was Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

On June 1st, units from each army encountered one another

and skirmished through the town itself.

The townspeople were forced to take refuge.

Except for one man, who reportedly ran outside

for a strange reason.

Joseph, what are you doing?

I'm not gonna let them take my beans!

How many times do I have to tell you,

they're not here for your beans!

By the second day, over 100,000 men stretched for miles

across the battlefield.

Lee took the initiative, deciding to hit the enemy's flanks,

and he came very close

to breaking through the Union's disorganized left,

but Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain

ordered a desperate bayonet charge,

smashing into the Confederates and forcing them back.

The Union forces held across the line.

On the final day, Lee believed the Union army

had fortified its flanks,

so we decided to finish them off

with one massive central assault.

The Confederates rushed at the Union lines

during General Pickett's charge,

and this time, it was the Union's turn

to unleash hell.

Meade had correctly guessed Lee's strategy,

and the Confederates were decimated,

forced to turn and flee.

A devastated General Lee called out

to his fleeing and wounded men,

telling them it was his fault.

And after holding for a counterattack that never came,

he ordered a retreat back into Virginia.

The North had just managed to score a massive victory,

and one they desperately needed.

And if that wasn't enough,

in the West, after a month-long siege,

Vicksburg finally fell.

The North now held the Mississippi,

and better yet, it was the 4th of July.

With control of the Mississippi,

Union forces moved into Arkansas and Tennessee.

Tennessee in particular saw heavy fighting

with Union General Rosecrans

masterfully pushing Braxton Bragg's Army of the Tennessee

out of Tennessee.

He suffered a major setback, however,

at the bloody battle of Chickamauga,

and ended up under a Confederate siege at Chattanooga.

At one point during the siege,

a temporary truce was declared

so that wounded men could be recovered.

And often in the Civil War,

during these small truces, men from both sides

would meet in the middle to trade things

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Now, where was I?

Oh yeah, Vicksburg, 4th of July,

and the siege of Chattanooga.

Thankfully, General Grant,

now in charge of all western Union armies,

showed up and karate-kicked Bragg

right back into Georgia, like this.

(Bragg thumping)

With Sherman and Hooker,

Grant took on Confederate positions

in the mountains around the city,

including the famous Battle Above the Clouds

and Mission Ridge.

Grant continued to be Lincoln's number one guy.

With these victories, Lincoln hoped the war

was finally turning.

Back in Gettysburg,

the entire town had been turned into a hospital

to care for the scores of wounded men.

Throughout the war, on both sides,

women such as Clara Barton rose to the occasion,

doing crucial work on the home front

and volunteering as nurses

for those who had given their lives.

A new national cemetery was to be established at Gettysburg,

and Abraham Lincoln traveled out to attend

the opening ceremony.

At the event, the main speaker spoke for two hours.

Then Abraham Lincoln was called forward

to give some brief appropriate remarks.

In just two minutes, he masterfully and poignantly iterated

America's national purpose

and the need to continue the fight.

The Gettysburg Address would become

one of the most famous speeches in American history.

While they were now making progress,

the North still couldn't find a decisive victory

in the East, and that was bad news for Lincoln,

because his presidency was now in its fourth year.

In 1864, there was an election coming.

The Confederates knew this too,

and with little hope left

of being able to threaten the North militarily,

they believed their last shot at victory

may be in the election.

Since Lincoln, emancipation, and the war itself

weren't exactly popular, people in the North

were sick of war and wanted to put it behind them.

Robert E. Lee hoped that if he could just hold out

and continue to inflict more defeats,

the people of the North would vote Lincoln out

and replace him with a Southern sympathizer

who may be willing to negotiate.

Lincoln knew now he desperately needed a victory.

Now, I know what you're thinking.

"But OverSimplified, if Lincoln loves General Grant so much,

then why doesn't he put him in charge of the campaign

in the East?"

Well, guess what, loyal subscriber?

You've hit the nail on the head.

You're bold, Grant. I'll grant you that.

I'm promoting you to general-in-chief,

and I ain't taking you for granted.

Now, I want you to go defeat Lee. Grant me my wish!

Please stop.

So Grant was put in charge, and he came up with a new plan.

He wanted to press the Confederates on all fronts.

With General Banks to capture Mobile, Alabama,

General Sherman moving south to Atlanta,

and Grant joining the Army of the Potomac

as they advanced through Virginia,

in May, 1864, that plan went into action.

Sherman steadily advanced on Atlanta,

facing off against the smaller Confederate army

under General Joseph E. Johnston.

In addition, a cruel yet highly skilled cavalry general,

and winner of the funniest Confederate statue award,

Nathan Bedford Forrest, was also nearby,

doing his best to threaten Sherman's advance.

But in a series of battles, Sherman dominated,

and pushed Johnson back to the city,

but he was held just outside of Atlanta itself,

and was forced to lay siege.

Meanwhile, the main show was happening

to the east in Virginia.

The Union's top general was finally about to face off

against the Confederacy's.

Lincoln hoped Grant would bring something new

to the Eastern theater, and bring something new he did.

As Grant began moving south,

Lee still regularly outmaneuvered him

and inflicted heavy casualties,

hoping to demoralize the North as much as he could.

But here's what set Grant apart from others.

He knew Lee was running out of men,

and that the North by comparison had plenty.

Grant would throw his forces at Lee,

and even when Lee repelled them,

Grant, rather than pulling back,

would give the order to keep moving forward

and flank Lee, again and again.

In under six weeks, 80,000 men would be killed,

wounded, or missing.

In DC, Grant was criticized for being a butcher.

At the Battle of the Wilderness,

the Union casualties were so heavy

that Grant reportedly began to weep.

But still, Grant could replace his losses.

Lee couldn't, and he was being pushed

all the way back to Richmond.

Lee knew once he got there, he'd be under siege.

Then it would only be a matter of time.

Close to Richmond, Grant again suffered horrific casualties

in a miscalculated assault at Cold Harbor.

Then, trying to be a tricksty trickster,

instead of moving on Richmond directly,

Grant moved towards Petersburg

to fight the Confederate capital

and cut its supply line.

But just like Sherman, Grant was halted outside of the city,

and he too was forced to settle in for a siege.

Two identical sieges would not be good enough

for Lincoln's re-election.

The people of the North saw the casualties

Grant had been taking,

and they weren't happy.

To make matters worse, Lee had sent Jubal Early north

to threaten DC, with the hope of forcing Grant

to withdraw troops from Richmond.

Early was repelled on the outskirts of the city,

with President Lincoln even attending as an observer.

But the North had been given a fright.

So with the war currently in a stalemate,

who was to be Lincoln's opponent

in the critical 1864 election?

Who would the Democrats choose?

Guess what, baby? I'm back!

That's right, General George B. McClellan

would run for president against Abraham Lincoln.

My fellow countrymen, if you elect me,

I, the great General George McClellan,

will fearlessly and valiantly win the war,

unlike this douchebag.

Many Democrats, however,

including McClellan's running mate, wanted to end the war.

So it's possible McClellan may have ended up fearlessly

and valiantly making peace with the Confederates,

which is exactly what they were hoping for.

With the war in a stalemate

and Lincoln still not popular,

it looked like McClellan would win,

and the Confederacy may have a chance

at surviving after all.

Lincoln himself said that without some kind

of major victory, it seemed "exceedingly probable

that this administration will not be re-elected."

Well, fret not, Abe,

because if it's a major victory you want,

it's a major victory you'll get.

Atlanta had been under siege

by General Sherman for just over a month.

After a number of battles around the city,

Sherman sent a force south

to sever the city's supply line,

and Confederate General Hood was forced to abandon it.

Atlanta, one of the Confederacy's most important cities,

had fallen into Union hands.

For many, it was clear

that the Confederacy's defeat was now inevitable,

and the war would soon be over.

When the final results came in,

Lincoln had won with an Electoral College landslide,

with the troops in particular voting overwhelmingly

for Lincoln, which must have been touching

for their commander-in-chief.

Hey man, looks like you lost. No hard feelings?

I didn't lose, I merely failed to win!

In January, Lincoln involved himself heavily

in ensuring the 13th Amendment made it through Congress.

In a narrow and historic vote, the amendment passed.

Slavery would now be constitutionally banished

throughout the nation.

Black men and women, watching the vote from the galleries,

knew the work had only just begun.

A couple months later, at his second inauguration,

with victory right around the corner,

he didn't celebrate, he didn't gloat.

Instead, he emphasized the need for reunification

and binding up wounds.

To him, Americans, North or South,

were to again be compatriots.

However, listening to Lincoln speak that day

was a man who had no interest in reunification.

John Wilkes Booth, an actor living in DC,

was also a deep Southern sympathizer,

and as the war turned against the Confederacy,

depressed and full of hate,

he was already plotting his revenge on the man

he held responsible.

With further Confederate losses,

it was pretty clear at this point who would win,

but still, Jefferson Davis showed no sign of giving in.

The North were frustrated to see the conflict

being dragged out.

Why waste more lives?

In Atlanta, General Sherman believed he had the key

to forcing the Confederacy's hand.

He had an unusually modern concept

that an army could only survive with the support

of the people.

Strike at the people, and the army collapses.

Sherman decided to do something unprecedented.

He would remove his 62,000 men from their supply line

and March through the heartland of the Confederacy,

where they would live off the land.

There, they would wreak havoc.

As they marched, they tore up railroads,

burned farms, and destroyed communication lines.

They also liberated thousands of slaves.

The damage done was estimated at $1.4 billion.

The tactics were cruel, but to Sherman,

it was better than losing yet more men in battle.

In December, he reached Savannah, Georgia,

but he wasn't done yet.

Next he turned north to inflict his punishment

on the first state to secede, South Carolina.

As he moved, he came ever closer to General Lee's army,

still holding out at Petersburg.

The siege of Petersburg had lasted for 292 days.

60,000 of Lee's men had deserted.

Numerous Union attempts to break through had failed.

But when the breakthrough finally came,

it came quick.

On April 2nd, a Union assault

finally pushed the Confederates from their defenses.

Hey man, there's no need to evacuate, right?

You'll rescue us like last time, right?

Sorry. Can't hear you. (car engine revving)

Lee narrowly escaped the city,

hoping he'd be able to meet up with General Johnson

and continue the fight.

Grant chased him down.

Richmond was evacuated, and Jefferson Davis went on the run.

As they left, the Confederates set fire

to military buildings,

but the flames burned out of control,

and as the Union troops arrived, they became firefighters.

A couple of days later,

Abraham Lincoln visited the war-torn city.

Grant caught up to Lee at Appomattox Court House,

where he trapped his forces.

It was here, on April 9th, 1865,

that Lee saw no point in continuing.

Sir?

Listen, bub, I drank a bit too much last night,

and now I'm hanging like a fruit bat on a hot day.

So whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it.

General Lee says he wants to surrender.

Hot diggity dog!

Grant and Lee met in the home

of a nearby farm family, owned by a man

who had tried his best

to escape the Civil War years earlier, Wilmer McLean.

- All right, can we all just hurry up

and get this over with?

(vacuum roaring) Martha! Not now!

- I'm cleaning! Do you want us to get rats?

- [Narrator] Grant and Lee, after years of war,

now spoke respectfully to one another.

When Lee left, his face filled with emotion,

Grant's men began to cheer, but Grant ordered them to stop.

He knew that now was the time for reconciliation.

Just over two weeks later, General Johnson would surrender

to Sherman, ending the war for 89,000 Confederate soldiers

in the largest surrender of the war.

Not every Confederate state had surrendered,

but the war was as good as over.

Across the North, church bells rang out

and celebrations erupted.

In Washington, Lincoln gave a speech from the White House

to a jubilant crowd, in which, among various things,

he expressed his support for black voting rights.

Lincoln had seen the nation through its deepest crisis.

The presidency had visibly aged him.

He had lost over 20 pounds.

He said, "Sometimes, I think I am

the tiredest man on Earth."

I'm not sure tiredest is a word, but geez,

the man's exhausted.

Cut him some slack.

On a carriage ride with Mary,

Lincoln clearly was looking forward

to being a president in a time of peace.

He was apparently very cheerful, surprising his wife,

and he told her that between the war

and the loss of their son, they'd both been very miserable.

Now it was time to be happy.

On the evening of April 14th, Lincoln attended a play

with his wife and some friends at Ford's Theater.

It was a comedy, and the president appeared

to be enjoying it very much.

In a nearby bar, John Wilkes Booth

swallowed two glasses of brandy.

He slipped quietly into the president's booth,

and awaited for the audience's laughter to rise.

(crowd laughing)

The president was shot in the back of the head.

Booth fled the city.

Soldiers carried Lincoln to a boarding house

across the street.

There, doctors declared there was nothing they could do.

Surrounded by his heartbroken wife, son,

and members of cabinet, at 7:22 the next morning,

President Lincoln passed away.

Never before had a president been murdered.

A shocked nation mourned as a 12-day funeral procession

carried Lincoln back to his home in Springfield, Illinois.

On April 26th, Union cavalry found John Wilkes Booth

in a barn in Virginia, where he was shot.

Not long after, Confederate President Jefferson Davis

was also tracked down and arrested.

Imprisoned for two years,

he was eventually released.

The North didn't want to put him on trial

for fear the jury may rule that Southern secession

had in fact been legal.

To ensure reconciliation, other Confederate generals

and politicians were allowed to re-enter life

in the now restored Union.

Scattered fighting continued into May,

when the last Confederate forces in Texas disintegrated.

The southern states came under northern military occupation

to prevent any further rebellion,

and a very difficult era of reconstruction began.

Over 3 million Americans had fought,

brother against brother.

The Civil War remains the bloodiest conflict in US history,

but the Union had been preserved.

You could say the real winners

were those who were to never again be slaves.

Further amendments passed by Congress

gave black individuals the right to citizenship and to vote.

Significant progress had been made.

However, entering into the 20th century,

it was clear the fight for equality would continue.

In modern America, the man who fought to preserve the nation

and never gave up in the darkest of times

stands as a symbol of honesty, empathy, humility,

perseverance, and courage.

A continuous reminder of what has forged America

and what it should ever strive to be.

(gentle music)