A War of Attrition

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A War of Attrition A War of Attrition - Chattanooga (2) - Grant Ascendant - The Overland Campaign - The Wilderness - Spotsylvania - Cold Harbor - Siege of Richmond - George McClellan (D) Review: Take 10 - What was the Union’s objective at Fredericksburg? - What was the Union’s objective at Chancellorsville? - How did the South’s plan change after Chancellorsville? - What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg? - What two major events happened on Independence Day, 1863? Learning Targets - I can explain the importance of Chattanooga. - I can compare Grant’s strategy to previous Union generals SOAPSTone Speaker: Who is writing this? Occasion: When was this written? Where? Audience: Who is it written to? Who do they want to read it? Purpose: Why write it? What is the goal? Subject: What is the main topic? Tone: What emotions/feelings do you sense in the document? Gettysburg Address - Lincoln honoring the dead at Gettysburg in a 2 min speech - Widely considered one of the best speeches ever written - Doubled down on ending slavery Chattanooga (Nov. 1863) - Railroad hub, known as the Gateway to the South - U.S. Grant shows up to take control of the town - South sets in to siege and force Grant to surrender Chattanooga - Grant decides to break out - Attacks the rebels - “Miracle at Missionary Ridge” breaks the siege The Gateway to the South was open. Grant Ascendant - Promoted March, 1864 after capturing Chattanooga, TN - Commander of all Union Armies - Only the President above him - William T. Sherman his right hand man - Where does he go? The Overland Campaign - Union moved south, Spring 1864 - Mission: capture Richmond - What’s changed? U.S. Grant in command The Overland Campaign The Wilderness: - Lee moves out to meet Grant - Two best generals finally fighting each other - South stops Union advance, Grant does not withdraw The Overland Campaign Spotsylvania: - Grant moves left, continues South - Lee sidesteps in front of him - Union attack is stopped, but again Grant doesn’t withdraw Grant orders that if commanders can’t make attacks when ordered, they will be relieved on the spot. Diary “June 3rd. Cold Harbor. I was killed.” - Written on the night of June 2nd, 1864 The Overland Campaign Cold Harbor: - Grant again tries to go around Lee, again Union is stopped - On June 3rd, 1864 the Union takes 7,000 casualties in 8 min A War of Attrition What does it mean? Wilderness: - 18,000 Union casualties - 10,800 Confederate Spotsylvania: - 18,000 Union casualties - 9,000 Confederate Cold Harbor: - 7,000 Union casualties - 1.500 COnfederates Total Campaign: - 64,000 Union casualties - 30,000 Confederate Grant lost every battle, but he was winning the war. Siege of Richmond - In June, 1864 Grant finally made it around Lee - Rebels fell back into Richmond - Union surrounded the city and began the siege Soundtrack to War - Suggestions? George McClellan (D) - Lincoln was up for reelection in 1864 - Not popular with everyone in the Union - McClellan (cautious) chosen by the Democrat party to run against him - Lincoln won w/ 55% of the popular vote .
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