In this next installment of the US Civil War we're going to take a look at the year 1862. This was the year that the war really became an all out war as Lincoln realized that he had to take action against the South in a way he never thought imaginable. What follows is the timeline of one of the worst years in the war itself. In January of 1862 Lincoln realized that this war needed some serious action to be taken. So on January 27, 1862, he issued an actual war order, or declaration of war against the Southern states. He ordered General McClellan to take aggressive action against the Confederacy but McClellan ignored his order. At first, Lincoln tried to show patience with General McClellan but finally in March of 1862 he lost his patience and relieved General McClellan of his command. Lincoln order the Virginia army to be reorganized during this time. McClellan was instead given command of the army of the Potomac and was ordered to attack Richmond. In March of 1862 was the famous naval battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac. The Union Monitor fought the Merrimac to a draw but not before the Merrimac was able to sink two Union ships just off of Norfolk, Virginia. In April of 1862 was the Battle Of Shiloh. The battle happened on April 6, 1862. On this day the Confederate troops attacked the Union troops at Shiloh, Tennessee, who were under the command of General Ulysses Grant. By the time the day had ended the Union troops were almost defeated. But reinforcements arrived and eventually the Confederate troops were driven back. By the battle's end, over 13,000 Union troops and 11,000 Confederate troops were killed. In May of 1862 General Stonewall Jackson attacked the Union forces towards the end of the month in the Shenandoah Valley. Jackson defeated them and caused the Union troops to retreat across the Potomac. Because of this, the Union troops had to be rushed to protect Washington, DC. In June of 1862 was the Battle of Seven Pines. The battle actually began on May 31 but lasted until the next day. It was only because of last minute reinforcements that the Union army was spared a terrible defeat. However, the command of the Northern Army in Virginia did fall to General Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy. In July of 1862 was fought the 7 Days Battle, which actually began on June 26. This was actually a series of battles after which, finally on July 2, the Confederate Army retreated to Richmond, Virginia. In August of 1862 was the second Battle of Bull Run. The Union Army was defeated at this battle. The blame fell on General Fitz-John Porter because he didn't commit his troops quickly enough. He was eventually forced out of the army in 1863. In September of 1862 was the Battle of Antietam. The battle took place on September 17 and up to that time was the bloodiest of the war. Over 11,000 troops on each side were either killed or wounded. There was really no winner of this battle but because General Lee withdrew to Virginia, General McClellan of the Union Army was declared the winner. In December of 1862 was the Battle of Fredricksburg. General McClellan was replaced by General Ambrose E. Burnside. Burnside's forces were soundly defeated at this battle and he was then quickly replaced by General Joseph Hooker. In our next installment we look at the year 1863. |
