The goal was to defeat the rebellion by blockading southern ports and controlling the Mississippi river.

It would completely block The South from the outside world and make them unable to trade

The Anaconda Plan consisted of two main objectives, the first objective was to set up a naval blockade in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico ports that were controlled by the Confederacy.

The second objective of the plan was to transport roughly 60,000 Union troops in steam gunboats down the Mississippi river so they could capture and hold forts and towns along the way.

Many people didn't approve this because they thought it would take to long and was to passive

After six hours of fighting the Confederates bent the Union line nearly in half, but Gen. Phil Sheridan organized a determined defense in the cedar thicket and prevented disaster

They inflicted severe damage on the Union army, and waited for their retreat, but the next day had dawned Rosecrans was still in position

That afternoon, Braggs ordered Gen. John Breckinridge's division to seize a hill that could function as a deadly artillery platform behind the Union

Breckinridge objected on the grounds that his men would be advancing across an open field under cannon fire towards a numerically superior foe, but Bragg overruled him

Breckinridge's division was countered in the determined charge.  With no plain left, Braggs ordered a retreat. 

It was a victory for the Union army