American Civil War facts

0: Arlington National Cemetery

1: Size of Cemetery at Gettysburg

2: Sherman's March to the Sea

3: Appomattox Court House

The Confederate surrender took place in the home of Wilmer and Virginia Mclean in the town of Appomattox Court House, VA. General Lee and General Grant met in the house for an hour and a half. They decided on a “Gentleman’s Agreement” for the terms that the Confederate army would have to abide by. The terms were generous and allowed for the Confederates to return home with respect and dignity.

Source: http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va005.html

Source: http://www.amicuss.net/dohs/ah1_2500/images/his/m2/appomattox_surrender.jpg

Go to Wikepedia and research when General Lee surrendered, did this end the Civil War, and when did the last Confederate Army surrender?

4: Arlington National Cemetery

The land for the Arlington National Cemetery was owned by the ancestors of General Lee’s wife Mary. She inherited the property and she and General Lee lived on the estate until he left to lead the Confederate army. Mary fled the property during the war and it was confiscated by the Union. After the war, the land was returned to the Lee family. This cemetery is located in Arlington, VA and is the resting place of many war veterans and national figures. Soldiers from American wars, starting with the Revolutionary War and extending to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Many soldiers from the Civil War were buried here.

Source: http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/washington-dc/arlington-national-cemetery

Source: http://thingsyoushoulddo.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/arlington-national-cemetery.jpg

Research and compare how many casualties there were at Gettysburg and total for the Civil War.

5: Atlanta Campaign

Two goals of union: Richmond, the capital of the confederacy and Atlanta, the manufacturing and railroad center.
In March of 1864, Sherman began his Atlanta campaign in Chattanooga, TN. His strategic maneuvers were a great asset to the Union Army as he steadily drove the Confederates further south. The Southern forces in Atlanta were driven out by September. He ordered every building and anything that would be useful to the Confederate army to be destroyed. Sherman left much of Atlanta in ruin and destruction. He said, “I will make Georgia Howl” and then he set out on his famous March to the Sea.

Source: Chronicles of the Civil War: An Illustrated Almanac and Encyclopedia of America’s Bloodiest War. John Bowman, General Editor 2005- World Publications Group, Inc. North Dighton, MA

Source: http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/97/5997-004-8D6A21C6.jpg

Zoom out, until you can see part of the Atlantic Ocean, to see how far Sherman's destruction path was. Go to Wikepedia in the Aftermath section and find out how much Sherman's total destruction was worth.

6: Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)

The Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War. The Union attacked the left flank of the Confederate army and forced them back into Henry Hill. Reinforcements for the Confederate army returned later in the day and were successful in breaking the Union’s right flank causing them to retreat. It was a Confederate victory and as the Union forces returned to Washington D.C. the reality set in to the Lincoln administration of how long and costly this war would be.

Source: http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va005.html

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Bull_Run_1st.GIF

Examine the map of the Battle of Bull Run. Then zoom out to see the division of the United States during the Civil War. (Click on the image overlay and when you are done, then click off of the image overlay.) Using the image of the divided United States, count how many states were in the Union and the Confederacy.

7: Battle of Vicksburg

Vicksburg is considered a turning point in the war. The Union forces drove the Confederate armies into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg. When two major assaults against the fortress city led to heavy casualties, Grant decided to besiege the city.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Vicksburg

Source: http://www.amazing-planet.net/slike/american-civil-war-art/battle_of_vicksburg.jpg

Zoom out to see a map about the Battle of Vicksburg. Go to Wikedpedia to research how long the Battle of Vicksburg lasted and which side won.

8: Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter is a fort in South Carolina where the first shots of the civil war were fired. The Union had control of the fort and the Confederates wanted the Union occupants to leave the fort peacefully, but they would not surrender the fort. The Union fired the first shot, and eventually surrendered due to loss of supplies and ammunition. However, there were no casualties.

Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/3055/graphics/battles/fortsumter.html

Watch the Youtube video to find the names of the generals of the Union and Confederate armies during this battle.

9: Gettysburg

This is the Cemetary for the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg was the battle with the largest amount of casualties in the Civil War. It is often described as the official turning point of the war. The battle lasted three days and the Confederacy’s last resort at this battle was Pickett’s Charge. The battle took place on July 1, 1863 and Lincoln’s address about the battle wasn’t given until November.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburg

Source: http://ro3011.k12.sd.us/event/pics/battle pics/gettysburg.jpg

Use the Ruler Tool to find out how long and wide the Gettysburg Cemetery is. Think about how many casualties there would have to be to fill this Cemetery.

10: Lincoln Memorial

Turn on the 3D Buildings Layer and the 360 Layer, under Gallery. (Zoom out to see the 360 bubble)

This Memorial is for the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. He helped to end the Civil War. He helped to end slavery and was an influential person during the Civil War.

Explore the Lincoln Memorial using the Layers. Watch the video of the Gettysburg address. Write your thoughts and feelings about what Abraham Lincoln said.