The History of~The American Civil War (Part 5: The Union's Grip Tightens)

The American Civil War; the bloodiest conflict in US Military history. It was a deadly time for the United States, but it gave the nation a new definition for the nation and it's people.

This is part 5 of this 6-part wiki page series about the American Civil War. In this part, we'll talk about how the Union will try to tighten their grip on this already deadly conflict, and how this will be done not just on the battlefield, but also the Political office as well.

## The Union's Grip Tightens

As the Union won the pivotal battles in Gettysburg and Vicksburg in 1863, they have turned the tide of the war in their favor. But the Confederacy sill refuses to give up, despite the odds now turning against them. As 1864 came along, the 2 sides are still fighting, but the Union is about to make a breakthrough, as they continue to win battles in Tennessee, this will allow the Union to penetrate deep into Confederate territory, especially into Confederate Georgia.

A time is now for a promotion for Ulysses (pronounced "you liss-ees) Grant, for his duties in the west Lincoln promoting to a Lieutenant General and even commander of all Union armies.

This is possibly because Grant is the only capable commander the Union has unlike the other commanders like McClellan and "Ambrose Burnside" who a hard time breaking the Confederate defensive lines in Virginia.

Grant would finally face lee on the battlefield at the Battle of The Wilderness (in Virginia) but the battle ended with no clear winner, nevertheless it was a testament of the war's 2 best commanders.

By 1864, and with the Union winning battles in Tennessee, the faction is ready to invade deep into the Confederate region. On February 22, the Union would make their first campaign for Georgia in the First Battle of Dalton, only 400 casualties in just 5 days of the battle but the confederates were able to defend their holdings. The Union would try again on May 7 when the 2 sides would fight at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge, the Union would have better luck in this battle.

This is because the commander "William Sherman" moved to flank the Confederates in the battle, and it worked so well that the Confederates had to retreat from their defense lines around the Georgian city of Atlanta. Sherman's forces would also win at the Battle of Adairsville on May 17.

For the next few month's Sherman's Union forces and the Confederates would go back and forth, but by the summer of 1864 Sherman would arrive at Atlanta on July 22.

Sherman' forces and the Confederates fought hard in the city, but in just a few months (with over 9,000 casualties) Sherman was able to capture the Confederate city on September 2. On November 15, Sherman's forces have departed for another one of Georgia's cities; Savannah.

When General "William Hazen" and his forces defeated the Confederates at the Battle of Fort McAllister on December 15, this created a highway for Sherman and his forces to take Savannah, 10 days later his forces marched into the city.

And no better time to capture a city like Christmas. It's been said that Sherman sent a telegraphic message to Lincoln saying "I have sent you a Christmas Present, Mr. President. We have Savannah." Though, there's no real evidence that Sherman sent such a message.

### Lincoln runs again

The year 1864 was also an election year. That meant that Lincoln was up for re-election. Despite that the Union increased their chances of winning this already violent war, alas morale in the Union was still very low.

In fact, so low that there were a lot of draft riots in the Union States (like in New York City). Lincoln and his constituents know that Lincoln winning this election would also prove crucial to the Union winning this war.

His political opponent was none other than George McClellan, the Union general who Lincoln fired for his incompetence and insubordination.

Of course, McClellan is taking the whole "getting back at your boss" thing too far.

Anyway, word of this got out to even the Confederacy as they're now hoping that if the Union elected a President that will sympathize with the CSA and agree to a seize fire or a peace treaty, which at this point is the only way the CSA would survive.

Now, Sherman's taking of Atlanta did have a huge effect on Lincoln's campaign for the presidency and it also had a huge boost in morale in the Union States. But, Lincoln had a surprise trick up his sleeve.

He even pulled some political teeth to admit another state into the Union; the state of Nevada, eventhough Nevada (at the time) didn't have the population necessary for statehood.

Whatever had the biggest effect, the capture of Atlanta, admitting Nevada as a state, or both. Lincoln has won the Presidency in 1864. With this, the Union is now poised to win the war.

That'll do it for this part, in the final part (click here) we will talk about how the war ends, and how the shadows of this war still resonates over our country. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.