Nashville
Uploaded by Comrade Basa on Oct 15, 2008
Strategic Overview
The Battle of Nashville was part of a string of defeats for the Confederate States. The Union had removed nearly all of the other rebel forces, and the Army of Tennessee was the last hope for the Confederates. Nashville was a follow up to the Battle of Franklin in which the Confederates had sustained heavy casualties. The Union troops had fortified the city of Nashville and they held the advantage. The Battle of Nashville was an extension of a plan to remove the Union troops from Georgia.
Opposing Leaders
Political
Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States during the Civil War. Under the administration of Franklin Pierce, Davis served in both houses of Congress. Davis also had an extensive military career, which began in Mexico, and gained him respect from his colleagues. When the Slave states separated to form the Confederate States of America, Jefferson was a key proponent in its formation. Davis was the reason the Civil War continued even when there was no chance of victory. After the Union had won the Civil War, was tried for treason, but never convicted due to constitutional reasons. He was also stripped of his American citizenship, which disabled him from participating in government even when he had been elected.
Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States, more commonly known as the Union, and was the Commander-in-chief of the army. When the secession of the Confederate States occurred, Lincoln’s goal was to preserve the union at all costs, even if it meant a civil war. Prior to being president, Lincoln served in the House of Representatives. The Republican Party nominated Lincoln, and his election was the real cause for the secession. Lincoln did not have a significant military career, however he was enlisted in the Black Hawk war and the volunteer company he served with elected him Captain. Lincoln emerged from the Civil War victorious, but was assassinated only two days after General Lee’s surrender.
Military
John Bell Hood grew up in Kentucky. He was the son of a doctor, however on both sides of his family, there were military veterans. His father had hoped we would pursue a career in medicine. Instead, Hood enrolled at the Military Academy in West Point. In 1853 he graduated 44th out of 52 other graduates. Hood began his service in Fort Scott, California. By 1853,...