Confederate States Army

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Military land force of the Confederate States of America

  File:Flag of the Confederate States of America.svg

Flag of the Confederate States of America

Active	1861–1865
Disbanded
Country	Confederate States of America
Allegiance	Confederate States
Branch	Army
Type	Land force
Role	Ground warfare
Size	Varied (peaked at approximately 1,000,000 soldiers)
Part of
Garrison/HQ	Richmond, Virginia

The Confederate States Army (CSA) was the military land force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War (1861–1865). It was established in 1861 to defend the newly formed Confederacy against the Union Army of the United States. The Confederate States Army was composed of various units from the seceded states and was led by prominent generals such as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and J.E.B. Stuart.

Formation and Organization

The Confederate States Army was formed in early 1861 following the secession of seven Southern states from the Union. These states formed the Confederate States of America, and the need for a unified military force became apparent. The Confederate Congress authorized the creation of the army, and President Jefferson Davis appointed Robert E. Lee as one of its first generals.

The army was organized into several departments and armies, each responsible for different regions of the Confederacy. The most notable of these were the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, and the Army of Tennessee, which saw various commanders throughout the war.

Major Campaigns and Battles

The Confederate States Army participated in numerous significant battles and campaigns during the American Civil War. Some of the most notable include:

• First Battle of Bull Run (1861)
• Battle of Antietam (1862)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (1862)
• Battle of Chancellorsville (1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (1863)
• Siege of Vicksburg (1863)
• Battle of Atlanta (1864)
• Appomattox Campaign (1865)

Leadership

The Confederate States Army was led by several prominent generals, with Robert E. Lee being the most notable. Lee's leadership in the Army of Northern Virginia earned him a reputation as one of the greatest military commanders in American history. Other key leaders included Stonewall Jackson, known for his tactical brilliance, and J.E.B. Stuart, famed for his cavalry operations.

Challenges and Decline

The Confederate States Army faced numerous challenges throughout the war, including shortages of supplies, manpower, and resources. The Union's naval blockade severely limited the Confederacy's ability to import goods, and internal dissent also weakened the war effort. By 1865, the Confederate States Army was severely depleted, and following the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House, the remaining Confederate forces gradually surrendered, marking the end of the Confederate States Army.

Legacy

The legacy of the Confederate States Army is complex and controversial. While some view the army's leaders and soldiers as defenders of states' rights and Southern heritage, others see them as defenders of slavery and rebellion against the United States. The Confederate battle flag and other symbols associated with the army remain contentious in American society.

Related Pages

• American Civil War
• Confederate States of America
• Union Army
• Robert E. Lee
• Stonewall Jackson
• J.E.B. Stuart
• Jefferson Davis
• Army of Northern Virginia
• Army of Tennessee

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