Confederate States Army: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:17, 3 March 2025

The Confederate States Army was the military land force of the Confederate States of America (CSA) during the American Civil War (1861–1865). It was established in 1861 to defend the seceding Southern states from the Union Army.

Formation and Organization[edit]

The Confederate States Army was formed in February 1861, following the secession of seven Southern states from the United States. The army was initially composed of state militias and volunteers. The Confederate Congress authorized the recruitment of 100,000 troops in March 1861.

The army was organized into several departments and commands, with the most notable being the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee. Other significant armies included the Army of Tennessee and the Army of Mississippi.

Leadership[edit]

The Confederate States Army was led by several prominent generals, including:

Robert E. Lee - Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
Stonewall Jackson - Noted for his tactical prowess
J.E.B. Stuart - Cavalry commander known for his reconnaissance
James Longstreet - Senior commander under Lee

Major Battles[edit]

The Confederate States Army participated in numerous battles during the American Civil War, including:

Decline and Surrender[edit]

By 1865, the Confederate States Army was severely weakened due to lack of resources, manpower, and the successful campaigns of the Union Army. The army's decline culminated in the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Confederate resistance.

Legacy[edit]

The Confederate States Army is remembered for its role in the American Civil War and its impact on American history. The army's legacy is controversial, as it is associated with the defense of slavery and secession.

References[edit]

External Links[edit]

[Confederate States Army on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_States_Army)

Battle flag of the Confederate States of America
Seal of the Confederate States of America
Private Edwin Francis Jemison
Resistance to Confederate conscription
Men of Virginia to the Rescue! (May 1861)
CW Arty M1857 Napoleon front
Robert Edward Lee
Corporal Artillery CS Army
Adam J. Slemmer in Confederate Battery at Warrington Across From Fort Pickens 1861
Artillery Charleston 1863

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-[[File:Seal of the Confederate States of America.svg|thumb]] [[File:Private Edwin Francis Jemison.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Resistance to Confederate conscription.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Men of Virginia to the Rescue! (May 1861).jpg|thumb]] {{Infobox military unit
+The '''Confederate States Army''' was the military land force of the [[Confederate States of America]] (CSA) during the [[American Civil War]] (1861–1865). It was established in 1861 to defend the seceding Southern states from the [[Union Army]].
-| unit_name = Confederate States Army
-| image = [[File:Confederate States Army flag.svg|200px]]
-| caption = Flag of the Confederate States Army
-| dates = 1861–1865
-| country = [[Confederate States of America]]
-| allegiance = [[Confederate States of America]]
-| type = Army
-| role = Land warfare
-| size = 1,082,119 total served
-| garrison = [[Richmond, Virginia]]
-| nickname = CSA
-| colors = Gray
-| battles = [[American Civil War]]
-}}
-The '''Confederate States Army''' was the military land force of the [[Confederate States of America]] (CSA) during the [[American Civil War]] (1861–1865). It was established in 1861 to defend the seceding Southern states from the Union forces of the [[United States Army]].
 == Formation and Organization ==
-The Confederate States Army was formed in February 1861, shortly after the secession of seven Southern states from the Union. The initial organization was based on the existing state militias, which were then consolidated into a national army. The Confederate Congress authorized the enlistment of 100,000 volunteers for a period of 12 months.
+The Confederate States Army was formed in February 1861, following the secession of seven Southern states from the [[United States]]. The army was initially composed of state militias and volunteers. The [[Confederate Congress]] authorized the recruitment of 100,000 troops in March 1861.
-The army was organized into several departments, each responsible for a specific geographic area. The main field armies included the [[Army of Northern Virginia]], the [[Army of Tennessee]], and the [[Army of Mississippi]].
+The army was organized into several departments and commands, with the most notable being the [[Army of Northern Virginia]], commanded by [[General Robert E. Lee]]. Other significant armies included the [[Army of Tennessee]] and the [[Army of Mississippi]].
 == Leadership ==
-The Confederate Army was led by several prominent generals, the most notable being [[Robert E. Lee]], who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia. Other key figures included [[Stonewall Jackson]], [[James Longstreet]], and [[J.E.B. Stuart]]. The President of the Confederate States, [[Jefferson Davis]], also played a significant role in military strategy and decision-making.
+The Confederate States Army was led by several prominent generals, including:
+* [[Robert E. Lee]] - Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
+* [[Stonewall Jackson]] - Noted for his tactical prowess
+* [[J.E.B. Stuart]] - Cavalry commander known for his reconnaissance
+* [[James Longstreet]] - Senior commander under Lee
-== Strategy and Tactics ==
+== Major Battles ==
-The Confederate Army employed a defensive strategy, aiming to protect its territory from Union advances. However, it also launched several offensive campaigns, such as the [[Maryland Campaign]] and the [[Gettysburg Campaign]]. The army relied heavily on its cavalry for reconnaissance and raids, and its infantry was known for its aggressive tactics in battle.
+The Confederate States Army participated in numerous battles during the [[American Civil War]], including:
+* [[Battle of Bull Run]] (First Manassas)
-== Challenges ==
+* [[Battle of Antietam]]
-The Confederate Army faced numerous challenges, including a lack of industrial infrastructure, limited resources, and a smaller population compared to the Union. These factors contributed to difficulties in supplying and equipping the troops. Additionally, internal divisions and state loyalties sometimes hindered the effectiveness of the Confederate military efforts.
+* [[Battle of Gettysburg]]
+* [[Battle of Chancellorsville]]
+* [[Siege of Vicksburg]]
 == Decline and Surrender ==
-As the war progressed, the Confederate Army suffered from increasing attrition and desertion. The fall of key cities such as [[Vicksburg]] and [[Atlanta]] further weakened the Confederate war effort. The army's decline culminated in the surrender of Robert E. Lee at [[Appomattox Court House]] on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Confederate resistance.
+By 1865, the Confederate States Army was severely weakened due to lack of resources, manpower, and the successful campaigns of the [[Union Army]]. The army's decline culminated in the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at [[Appomattox Court House]] on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Confederate resistance.
 == Legacy ==
-The Confederate States Army is remembered for its role in the American Civil War and its impact on American history. The army's legacy is complex, intertwined with issues of slavery, states' rights, and regional identity. The memory of the Confederate Army continues to be a subject of debate and discussion in contemporary society.
+The Confederate States Army is remembered for its role in the [[American Civil War]] and its impact on American history. The army's legacy is controversial, as it is associated with the defense of [[slavery]] and [[secession]].
-== Also see ==
+== See Also ==
+* [[Confederate States Navy]]
+* [[Confederate States Marine Corps]]
+* [[Union Army]]
+* [[American Civil War]]
+== References ==
+* [[American Civil War]]
 * [[Confederate States of America]]
-* [[American Civil War]]
-* [[Robert E. Lee]]
+== External Links ==
-* [[Union Army]]
+* [Confederate States Army on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_States_Army)
-* [[Jefferson Davis]]
 {{American Civil War}}
-{{Confederate States}}
+{{Confederate States of America}}
-[[Category:Confederate States Army]]
+[[Category:Confederate States Army| ]]
 [[Category:Military history of the Confederate States of America]]
-[[Category:American Civil War]]
+[[Category:1861 establishments in the Confederate States of America]]
+[[Category:1865 disestablishments in the Confederate States of America]]
+<gallery>
+File:Battle flag of the Confederate States of America (With White Border).svg|Battle flag of the Confederate States of America
+File:Seal of the Confederate States of America.svg|Seal of the Confederate States of America
+File:Private Edwin Francis Jemison.jpg|Private Edwin Francis Jemison
+File:Resistance to Confederate conscription.jpg|Resistance to Confederate conscription
+File:Men of Virginia to the Rescue! (May 1861).jpg|Men of Virginia to the Rescue! (May 1861)
+File:CW Arty M1857 Napoleon front.jpg|CW Arty M1857 Napoleon front
+File:Robert Edward Lee.jpg|Robert Edward Lee
+File:Corporal Artillery CS Army.jpg|Corporal Artillery CS Army
+File:AdamJSlemmerinConfederateBatteryAtWarringtonAcrossFromFortPickens1861.jpg|Adam J. Slemmer in Confederate Battery at Warrington Across From Fort Pickens 1861
+File:ArtilleryCharleston1863.jpg|Artillery Charleston 1863
+</gallery>