Pennsylvania During the Civil War by Kellan McDowell

Clashes in the State

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-03 19:27:27 UTC

The Confederate and Union army clashed in Pennsylvania in July 1863, when the Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1st when Major General Henry Heth’s division (Confederate) began marching down Chambersburg Pike, where General Buford (Union) placed his horse artillery to fire against approaching Confederate skirmishers.

Involvement in the Civil War

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-03 19:28:31 UTC

The state of Pennsylvania was very involved in the Civil War, because firstly an important battle had taken place there (Battle of Gettysburg). Secondly, the Union Department of Pennsylvania was created which eventually had 13,000 men after General Robert Patterson had badgered for more from the Secretary of War (Simon Cameron). These men formed a militia that had clashed against Confederate forces. Lastly, the state of Pennsylvania had multiple regiments such as the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves.

Casualties and Invasions

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-04 19:13:17 UTC

Pennsylvania was affected by the Civil War, as it was invaded by Confederate forces in June 1863, when General Richard S. Ewell’s forces had marched through Eastward Pennsylvania. Also, it was invaded again in July 1863 when the Battle of Gettysburg took place. The state was also affected because it had sent out a militia of 13,000 men, and had several regiments in the Union Army. Lastly, there were 33,183 casualties in the Pennsylvania Union Army.

The Battle of Gettysburg

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-04 19:23:25 UTC

The Battle of Gettysburg took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (a crossroads village). The two sides fighting were the Union and Confederates. The Union wanted to secure a victory it desperately needed in order to turn the tides of the war, and eventually to perhaps end the war if possible. The Confederates wanted (or General Lee’s want) was to win a battle north of the Mason-Dixon line. The Union took the victory in this battle, and was a very important battle in the overall course of the Civil War as now the Union had finally

Andrew Gregg Curtin

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-04 19:26:10 UTC

One political figure from Pennsylvania was Andrew Gregg Curtin. Their role was the governor of the state, and they aimed to resolve its problems and deal with war issues. He believed that he should support the war effort as much as possible, even while he and the Secretary of War (Cameron) did not have the best relationship. During the war, Governor Andrew Curtin had attempted to resolve problems of war and of the state. He also made regiments, and was a part of the 427,000 enlistments recorded during the war.

Contributions to the War Effort

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-04 19:28:40 UTC

Rather than supplies, many soldiers came from Pennsylvania. This is because Governor Andrew Curtin got many men to enlist and made several regiments, as said before. Again, Pennsylvania had also sent out a militia of 13,000 men.

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-04 19:29:14 UTC

Major General George Gordon Meade

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-05 19:17:21 UTC

General Meade was the lead of the Union army (or more specifically the Army of the Potomac) in the battle of Gettysburg. He had held off General Lee and his army with tactical skill that ultimately led to the Union victory of the battle. Although Meade did not pursue (chase) Lee's army as President Lincoln had hoped. This caused him to be inevitably replaced by Ulysses S. Grant, who was placed in charge of all Union forces in March 1864. Another fact is that even though General Meade had shown great skills he never actually wanted to command the Army of the Potomac, but he accepted it after being ordered to take it.

13th Pennsylvania Reserves

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-10 22:00:53 UTC

Also known as the Bucktails, the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves were created in April 1861 by a mandate from Pennsylvania Governor Curtin. It was made up of skilled marksmen, people who can use a rifle well. Earliest recruits wore bucktails and made a rule/policy that new recruits needed to bring a bucktail in order to show their marksmanship. They had used long-range Sharps rifles, which were then replaced by Spencer carbines, a type of rifle.

Gettysburg Address

kellanmcdowell1 — 2024-01-10 22:03:51 UTC