[0:00] Do you know some important generals that played a great role in the Civil War? Well in this live stream we are going to learn about three generals that did that. Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s episode on History: In real Time. My name is Shepard Smith and I am dangerously located in the Civil War era.
[19:02] In fact, I am streaming live from the battle of Gettysburg. Every second I can hear gunshots and I can feel the sun scorching on my back. I am here to talk about three important generals. We are going to learn about Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E.Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. Some people don’t know this but they were the best generals in the civil war.
[38:34] “ Take a look over there and you’ll see our first famous general, Robert E.Lee.” Robert’s family did not have any money so he went to military school as a great way to get a free education and to have a career. He graduated from West Point in 1829 near the top of his class. When the Civil War started in 1861 Lee was offered command of the Union army by President Lincoln. Lee, however, was also loyal to his home state Virginia and he could not fight against his home state. The Virginia Army fought many of the key battles of the eastern front. Although the Confederate armies were constantly outnumbered by the Union armies, Lee and his men managed to win many battles through their brilliance and courage. Lee earned the nickname Grey Fox. The “gray” was because he wore the gray uniform of the Confederate soldier and rode a gray horse. The “fox” was because he was smart and cunning as a military leader. Lee fought brilliantly but there was just an overwhelming number of Union Troops. On April 9, 1865 General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to General Ulysses S. Grant at the courthouse in Appomattox, Virginia. Although Lee was a traitor he was forgiven by Abraham Lincoln. Lee became president of Washington College Lexington Virginia. He worked there until he died of a stroke in 1870.
[1:34:56] Ulysses S. Grant worked on a farm and became an excellent horseman. His father suggested that he should attend the U.S. Military at West Point. At first Grant didn’t like the idea of becoming a soldier, however this was his chance to get a college education. When the Civil War started he started out with the Illinois Army. In 1862 Grant had his first major victory when he captured Fort Donelson in Tennessee. He became known as an Unconditional Surrender Grant when he told the Confederate Officers “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender”. He said that to a Confederate commander when he asked for terms. Grant replied by saying “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender”. Grant’s victory at Fort Donelson was the first major victory for the Union in the Civil War. He then led his army to victory at the city of Vicksburg, a Confederate stronghold. He became a famous war hero in 1864 President Abraham Lincoln made him General-in -Chief the entire Union Army. Grant then led the Union against Robert E. Lee in Virginia. They battled for over a year, with Grant eventually defeating Lee and the Confederate Army. Lee surrendered at Appomattox House, Virginia on April 9, 1865.
[3:14:35] Stonewall Jackson earned his nickname “Stonewall” early in the war at the First Battle of Bull Run. When his soldiers held firmly against a fierce Union attack, it was said that he stood like a “stone wall.” Jackson was known for his fast moving “foot cavalry” and his aggressive command. He won several battles in the Shenandoah Valley during the Valley Campaign. Jackson was accidentally killed by his own men at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
[4:53:23] As you can see, these three generals that you learned about today fought hard and bravely in the Civil War. It is crystal clear that generals did play an important role in this bloody war. Now dig into that computer and maybe you will uncover a fact that we don’t know today.
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