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THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
FINAL EXAM MASTER
Name_____________________________
1. Name the opposing Generals at the following battles:
North
South
Seven Pines___________MCCLELLAN____________JOHNSTON_________________
Second Manassas_______POPE__________________LEE______________________
Vicksburg______________GRANT_________________PEMBERTON_____________
Chickamauga___________ROSECRANS____________BRAGG___________________
Spotsylvania____________MEADE__________________LEE____________________
Atlanta________________SHERMAN______________HOOD___________________
2. Name the three fighting branches of the armies of both sides.
INFANTRY, CAVALRY, ARTILLERY
3. List the two aspects of Scott’s ‘Anaconda Plan’.
CONTROL THE MISSISSIPPI, BLOCKADE ALL PORTS
4. Name the most widely used weapon in the US army in the Civil War and list its three main
attributes?
1861 SPRINGFIELD RIFLED MUSKET – RANGE, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY
5. What rank usually commanded an infantry regiment?
COLONEL
6. What was the nickname given Jackson’s forces after the Valley Campaign?
FOOT CAVALRY
7. A famous naval battle was fought in Hampton Roads that delayed the Union’s campaign
on the Peninsula. Name the two combatants.
USS MONITOR, CSS VIRGINIA (FORMERLY THE USS MERRIMAC)
8. What did Lee rename the Confederate army after he took command?
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA (ANV)
9. Who were the two wing commanders in Lee’s army at Antietam?
JACKSON, LONGSTREET
10. Lee’s Lost Order 191 was a turning point in the Antietam Campaign. Why?
IT GAVE MCCLELLAN LEE’S PLANS
11. The Battle of Antietam was in three distinct parts. Name those parts using features of
the terrain.
CORNFIELD, SUNKEN ROAD (BLOODY LANE), BURNSIDES’ BRIDGE
12. Union success at Antietam resulted in what important political document?
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
13. What best describes the Battle of Stones River for the South (circle the correct one)?
a. Strategic Offensive, Tactical Offensive, Strategic Defeat.
b. Strategic Offensive, Tactical Defensive, Strategic Victory.
c. Strategic Defensive, Tactical Offensive, Strategic Defeat
d. Strategic Defensive, Tactical Defensive, Strategic Victory
14. What river separated the two armies at Fredericksburg and what logistics snafu delayed
the Union general crossing that river?
RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, THE ENGINEERS WERE LATE ARRIVING WITH PONTOON
TRAINS BECAUSE OF A FAILURE AT THE COMMAND LEVEL IN WASHINGTON
15. What were the three prongs of MGen Henry Halleck’s concentration in time strategy in
late 1862? (include the objective and the general)
a. VICKSBURG - GRANT
b. CHATTANOOGA - ROSECRANS
c. LEE’S ARMY (ANV), RICHMOND - HOOKER
16. Name three Confederate commerce raiders.
CSS SHENANDOAH, CSS VIRGINIA, CSS FLORIDA, CSS SUMTER
17. The Confederate commander at Vicksburg got contradictory orders about how to handle
the Union offensive. Describe those orders and who gave them.
DAVIS TOLD PEMBERTON TO HOLD THE TOWN – JOHNSTON TOLD PEMBERTON TO
GIVE UP THE TOWN AND ATTACK GRANT
18. The Southern commander at Chancellorsville and the Northern commander at Vicksburg
ignored a prime maxim of military strategy. What was it?
DO NOT DIVIDE YOUR FORCES WHEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE ENEMY
19. Some say Chancellorsville was a pyrrhic victory for the South. Why?
GEN JACKSON WAS KILLED ALONG WITH MANY DIVISION AND REGIMENTAL
COMMANDERS CAUSING A LEADERSHIP VACUUM
20. Who were the three Corps commanders for the South at the Battle of Gettysburg?
LONGSTREET, HILL, EWELL
21. The Confederate commander fought Gettysburg virtually blind to the movements of the AoP.
Why? (Name names)
JEB STUART WAS GONE WITH THE CAVALRY ON A GLORY RIDE AROUND THE AoP
22. Name four important terrain features on the Union left flank that figured prominently in
the second day’s fighting at Gettysburg.
PEACH ORCHARD, WHEAT FIELD, DEVILS DEN, LITTLE ROUND TOP
23. The famous Southern charge on the third day at Gettysburg was doomed before it
began. Why? What is the popular name for it?
PICKETT’S CHARGE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MEN TO CARRY THE UNION POSITION
24. What rare maneuver did Northern troops achieve that helped break the Southern attack
on the third day at Gettysburg?
DOUBLE ENVELOPMENT
25. From a leadership standpoint, what made the difference at Gettysburg, comparing the
two sides?
THE UNION CORPS COMMANDERS SERVED MEADE WELL, THE CONFEDERATE CORPS
COMMANDERS FAILED TO SERVE LEE WELL
26. What nickname did Union MG Thomas get at the Battle of Chickamauga?
THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA
27. What was Grant’s overall strategy for beating the South in 1864 (three things)?
MEADE AND THE AoP WOULD ATTACK LEE/RICHMOND
SHERMAN WOULD ATTACK ATLANTA
FARRAGUT WOULD ATTACK MOBILE BAY
28. What was the main political concern for the Lincoln administration in 1864?
REELECTION
29. What Constitutional Amendment passed in 1865 and what did it do?
THE THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT ABOLISHED SLAVERY
30. What was the Confederate salient at Spotsylvania called?
THE MULESHOE OR THE BLOODY ANGLE
31. Where was the final battle of Grant’s overland campaign in Virginia in ’64? How many
casualties did the Union suffer in the attack?
COLD HARBOR, 7000
32. What river did the Union engineers cross in 1864 with the longest temporary bridge in
the history of warfare up to WWII? How long was the bridge?
THE JAMES RIVER, 2100 FEET
33. Which political party nominated Lincoln for the Presidency in ’64?
THE NATIONAL UNION PARTY (NUP)
34. Who were the two men nominated to run against Lincoln in ’64 and what party
nominated them?
RADICAL REPUBLICANS NOMINATED FREEMONT
DEMOCRATS NOMINATED MCCLELLAN
35. What three victories assured Lincoln’s reelection in ’64?
FARRAGUT AT MOBILE BAY, SHERMAN AT ATLANTA, SHERIDAN IN THE VALLEY (BELLE
GROVE/CEDAR CREEK) BATTLES ONLY ARE NECESSARY HERE
36. What two prominent Union generals made war on the civilian population in the South in
’64 –’65?
SHERMAN, SHERIDAN
37. The Battle of Nashville was preceded by a disastrous charge by the Confederate army
when five Confederate generals were killed. Where did that take place?
FRANKLIN, TN
38. Who was the Confederate general commanding at the Battle of Nashville and who
commanded the Union army?
CONFEDERATE GEN HOOD, UNION GENERAL THOMAS
39. What three terms for peace did Lincoln offer the Confederate commissioners at
Hampton Roads in February, ’65?
REUNION, SLAVERY ABOLISHED, END OF HOSTILITIES AND DISARMAMENT
40. How many months did the siege of Petersburg last?
10
41. The final Confederate offensive in the siege of Petersburg was against what Union
position?
FT STEDMAN
42. What Confederate Corps commander was killed on the final day of the siege of
Petersburg? What was he wearing?
AP HILL, HIS RED BATTLE SHIRT
43. Where was the largest battle during the Appomattox campaign?
SAYLOR’S CREEK
44. Who owned the house that was the site of the surrender of the ANV? Why was this
significant?
WILMER MCLEAN. THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE WAR, FIRST MANASSAS, WAS FOUGHT
AROUND THE HOUSE HE LIVED IN AT THE TIME. HE MOVED TO APPOMATTOX TO GET
AWAY FROM THE WAR.
45. Who was the Union commander that cut off Lee’s line of retreat at Appomattox Court
House?
SHERIDAN
46. What is the significance of the final sentence in the surrender document between Lee
and Grant?
IT BASICALLY PARDONED ALL CONFEDERATES WHO SURRENDERED, INCLUDING LEE
47. Who were the two generals, North and South, who presided over the surrender
ceremony at Appomattox on April 12?
UNION GENERAL CHAMBERLAIN, CONFEDERATE GENERAL GORDON
48. Name four conspirators in Lincoln’s assassination plot besides Booth.
MARY SURRAT, JOHN SURRATT, POWELL/PAINE, HEROLD, ATZERODT, MUDD,
O’LAUGHLIN, SPANGLER, ARNOLD
49. What was the religious significance of the day Lincoln was assassinated?
GOOD FRIDAY
50. Who were the other two targets (besides Lincoln) of the assassination plot and who was
assigned to attack those targets?
ATZERODT WAS TO KILL VP JOHNSON, PAINE WAS TO KILL SEC OF STATE SEWARD
Optional Bonus Questions:
BONUS #1 (5 pts): Where was the final battle of the Civil War fought and who won?
PALMITO RANCH, CONFEDERATE VICTORY
BONUS #2 (10 pts): Contrast and compare the leadership qualities of Generals Grant and Lee.
Include in your discussion (a) their pre-war experience, (b) their wartime successes and failures,
(c) their style of command, and (d) their ability to work with political leaders.
(a) GENERAL LEE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF AT WEST POINT, WAS A HERO OF THE
MEXICAN WAR, SERVED IN VARIOUS POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP INCLUDING
COMMANDANT OF WEST POINT, WAS LTCOL IN TEXAS AND WAS OFFERED COMMAND
OF ALL UNION TROOPS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CW BUT TURNED IT DOWN TO
SERVE VIRGINIA.
(a) GENERAL GRANT HAD A LACKLUSTER CAREER AT WEST POINT, SERVED WITH
DISTINCTION IN THE MEXICAN WAR, RESIGNED HIS COMMISSION DUE TO
DRUNKENESS. HE WAS GIVEN COMMAND OF A ILLINOIS REGIMENT AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE WAR.
(b) GENERAL LEE WON MANY VICTORIES FOR THE SOUTH: THE SEVEN DAYS, SECOND
MANASSAS, FREDERICKSBURG, & CHANCELLORSVILLE (HIS GREATEST). HE LOST
BATTLES AT ANTIETAM AND GETTYSBURG AND FAILED TO STOP GRANT/MEADE/AoP
DURING THE SUMMER OF ’64 WHEN HE WAS FORCED INTO A SIEGE AT
PETERSBURG/RICHMOND. ALTHOUGH LEE WAS CONSIDERED AN ‘AUDACIOUS’
GENERAL, THIS TRAIT DID NOT SERVE HIM WELL AT GETTYSBURG, HIS WORST DEFEAT.
LEE HAD THE ABILITY TO SEE THROUGH THE FOG OF BATTLE.
(b) GENERAL GRANT WON A STRING OF VICTORIES: FTS HENRY AND DONELSON, SHILOH
(NARROWLY), VICKSBURG (BRILLIANTLY), CHATTANOOGA (MISSIONARY RIDGE), AND
WAS MADE COMMANDER OF ALL UNION FORCES (4-STARS) IN ’64, FORCED LEE INTO
THE TRENCHES AT PETERSBURG, AND AUTHORED THE STRATEGY THAT DEFEATED THE
SOUTH. HE WAS CONSIDERED A ‘BUTCHER’ FOR THE SUMMER ’64 CAMPAIGN
AGAINST LEE BECAUSE OF THE CASUALTIES, BUT WAS OVERALL A RATIONAL,
CALCULATING LEADER. HE UNDERSTOOD AN ARMY HAD TO ACT QUICKLY AND
DECISIVELY TO WIN BATTLES.
(c) GENERAL LEE WAS A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN, ISSUED ORDERS THAT WERE AT TIMES
VAGUE, AND RARELY SPOKE HARSHLY TO SUBORDINATES. HE DELEGATED AUTHORITY
AND STRINGENTLY CLUNG TO THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. HE URGED SUBORDINATES
BUT RARELY GAVE PEREMTORY ORDERS. HIS GRASP OF STRATEGY WAS LIMITED TO
VIRGINIA AND HE DID NOT TAKE SOUTHERN STRATEGY ELSEWHERE INTO ACCOUNT
EXCEPT WHERE IT IMPACTED HIS OWN ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA UNTIL VERY
LATE IN THE WAR WHEN IT WAS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING.
(c) GENERAL GRANT WAS A DEMANDING COMMANDER, ISSUED STRICT AND SPECIFIC
ORDERS, AND EXPECTED HIS SUBORDINATES TO OBEY WITHOUT QUESTION. WHEN
THEY DID NOT, HE DEMOTED OR SENT THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE. HE WAS A BRILLIANT
STRATEGIST AND FORMULATED THE MOVES THAT EVENTUALLY DEFEATED THE
SOUTHERN ARMIES AFTER SO MANY FAILED.
(d) GENERAL LEE MANAGED HIS AFFAIRS WITH LITTLE REGARD FOR THE POLITICAL
LEADERS IN RICHMOND. HE BASICALLY DID WHAT HE WANTED UNTIL AFTER HIS
DEFEAT AT GETTYSBURG, WHEN HIS POWER DECLINED. HE OFTEN ASKED FOR
APPROVAL OF TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC MOVEMENTS AFTER HE HAD ALREADY
ORDERED THEM TO PROCEED.
(d) GENERAL GRANT ALWAYS CONSIDERED HIMSELF SUBORDINATE TO THE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AND WORKED UNDER HIS DIRECTION EVEN WHEN LINCOLN
SADDLED HIM WITH INCOMPETENT POLITICAL GENERALS. HE SUCCEEDED IN SPITE OF
POLITICAL INTERVENTION BUT AFTER VICTORIES AT ATLANTA AND MOBILE BAY AND
FORCING LEE INTO THE TRENCHES, MOST POLITICIANS STOPPED QUESTIONING HIS
DECISIONS.
BONUS #3 (5 pts): Why did the North win?
THE NORTH HAD LINCOLN, THE SOUTH DID NOT
While this seems simplistic, I have hammered at this all semester and it must be part of any
answer. As long as the answer has this, it does not matter what else is written.