The Union in the Civil War

The American Civil War, a tumultuous period in the nation’s history, pitted the United States Federal Government against the Confederate States of America. The Federal Government, commonly known as The Union in the Civil War, was supported by a diverse coalition of states and individuals, each contributing to the war effort in unique ways. This article delves into the composition, organization, and key aspects of the Union during this pivotal era.

At the outset of the conflict, the Union comprised 20 Free States, where slavery was illegal, and five Border States, which permitted slavery but remained loyal to the Union. The Free States formed the backbone of the Union’s industrial and agricultural power, providing crucial resources and manpower.

The Free States included:

• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Later in the war, West Virginia separated from Virginia and joined the Union on June 20, 1863. Nevada also became a state and part of the Union on October 31, 1864. These additions further solidified the Union’s territorial control and resource base. The term, The Union in the Civil War, encompasses all of the states mentioned above.

The Border States held a precarious position, geographically situated between the Union and the Confederacy. Their loyalty was crucial to maintaining the Union’s strategic advantage. These states included:

• Delaware
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Missouri
• West Virginia

It’s important to note that in Kentucky and Missouri, pro-secession factions existed, and both states were claimed by the Confederacy. However, Unionist elements within these states maintained their allegiance to the Federal Government, resulting in the presence of both Union and Confederate state governments vying for power. The internal divisions within these states highlight the complexities of the The Union in the Civil War era.

The Confederacy, formed by 11 Southern slave states that seceded from the Union, presented a formidable challenge to the Federal Government. The Confederate states sought to establish their own independent nation, fueled by the desire to preserve the institution of slavery and maintain their agrarian way of life.

When the Civil War erupted in April 1861, the U.S. Army was severely undermanned, with only 16,000 soldiers. Compounding the problem, many Southern officers resigned their commissions to join the Confederate Army. Recognizing the urgent need for troops, President Abraham Lincoln called upon the states to raise a force of 75,000 men for three months to suppress what he termed the "insurrection."

Initially, Lincoln believed the war would be short-lived. However, as the conflict escalated, it became clear that a larger and more sustained military effort would be required. On July 22, 1861, Congress authorized a volunteer army of 500,000 men.

The initial call for volunteers was met with enthusiasm, with abolitionists, patriotic Northerners, and immigrants eager to enlist. Many immigrants saw military service as a path to economic stability, drawn by the promise of a steady income. However, as the war dragged on, the Federal Government resorted to offering bounties to encourage enlistment and eventually instituted a draft. These measures reflect the increasing challenges faced by The Union in the Civil War in maintaining its troop strength.

In the Border States, a significant number of people opposed secession and remained loyal to the Union. These individuals, known as "Unionists," faced hostility and were often derisively called "Homemade Yankees" by their Confederate-sympathizing neighbors. Despite the risks, nearly 120,000 Unionists from Southern states served in the Union Army, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the Federal Government.

As the war progressed, the Lincoln administration grappled with the issue of recruiting black troops. Initially hesitant, the Union Army eventually recognized the need for additional manpower and authorized the enlistment of African-Americans in mid-1862. By the end of the Civil War, almost 200,000 black men had served as soldiers in the U.S. Military, making a significant contribution to the Union’s war effort. Their participation marked a turning point in the war and a step toward greater equality.

Another unusual group of soldiers served the Union – Confederate soldiers known as "Galvanized Yankees." These were Confederate prisoners of war who chose to swear allegiance to the Union and enlist in the Union Army. This phenomenon arose partly due to the breakdown of the prisoner exchange system in 1863, leaving many Confederate prisoners with no hope of release until the end of the war.

The need for troops in the American West also played a role in the decision to enlist Confederate prisoners. With Union troops focused on the Civil War in the East, it was difficult to protect pioneers on the trails and combat Indian uprisings. As early as 1862, Colonel James Mulligan discovered that many Confederate prisoners were willing to join the Union army for service in the West.

In 1864, President Lincoln endorsed the enlistment of ex-Confederates, who could earn their freedom by swearing allegiance to the Union. However, due to concerns about their loyalty, they were primarily assigned to posts far from the Civil War battlefields in the American West. Numbering approximately 6,000 men, these "Galvanized Yankees" served in six regiments of U.S. volunteers between 1864 and 1865, contributing to the Union’s efforts to maintain order and security in the West.

In total, at least two and a half million men served in the Union Army, the vast majority of whom were volunteers. This massive mobilization of manpower underscores the scale of the Union’s commitment to preserving the nation.

The Union Army was organized geographically, with soldiers grouped into units based on their state or region of origin. Within these units, soldiers were further divided by military specialties, such as infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

The Union’s military operations were divided into five geographic regions, known as theaters:

• Eastern Theater
• Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf Approach
• Pacific Coast Theater
• Trans-Mississippi Theater
• Western Theater

These theaters represented the diverse fronts on which the Union Army fought, from the battlefields of Virginia to the western territories.

Several prominent figures served as Generals-in-Chief of the Union Army during the Civil War, including Winfield Scott, George B. McClellan, Henry W. Halleck, and Ulysses S. Grant. Other notable field commanders included William Rosecrans, George Henry Thomas, and William Tecumseh Sherman. These leaders played a crucial role in shaping the Union’s military strategy and leading its forces to victory.

From the outset, The Union in the Civil War possessed significant advantages over the Confederacy, including three-fourths of the nation’s wealth, a robust industrial base capable of producing weapons and supplies, and a population nearly five times larger than that of the Confederate states. These advantages allowed the Union to sustain a longer and more resource-intensive war effort.

The Civil War had a far less devastating effect on the North than on the South, as most battles occurred on Southern soil. However, the North was not entirely spared from the ravages of war. Confederate raids into northern states aimed to demoralize the population and disrupt the Union’s war effort.

Ultimately, the Union Army prevailed over the Confederate States Army in a war that lasted from 1861 to 1865. Of the 2,213,363 men who served in the Union Army, 364,511 died in combat, from injuries sustained in combat, from disease, or from other causes. An additional 281,881 were wounded. More than one out of every four Union soldiers was killed or wounded, highlighting the immense human cost of the conflict. The Confederate losses were even higher, with one in three Southern soldiers killed or wounded.

In total, an estimated 620,000 soldiers died during the Civil War, representing approximately two percent of the American population at the time. The legacy of the Civil War continues to shape American society, reminding us of the sacrifices made to preserve the Union and end slavery. The impact of The Union in the Civil War resonates through American history to this day.