Research Paper Example: The American Civil War

While reflecting on the American Civil War after the battle of Fort Sumter, fierce conflict continued as both sides fought for what they believed was right. At this point, African Americans were drafted into the Civil War, giving even more potential troops to the Union army.  As the 1860s advanced, America was still in an unstable condition. While people were witnessing the recovery of the United States, there were still many unresolved issues. The basic causes of the conflicts were the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, as well as the Fort Wagner Battle, and the Port Hudson Battle. 

Benjamin Franklin Butler was born on November 5th, 1818. He was a Democrat from Massachusetts when Fort Sumter surrendered. His closest friend was Jefferson Davis, and both served in the Union Army. Benjamin had never served in the army for a day before 1861. Additionally, when the Civil War then started, Butler became one of the best-known figures in the nation. While Virginia seceded from the Confederacy, it seemed most particularly that Union troops would attack the nation’s capital, and this was ideally Butler’s plan. (Brooks 11-12) 

Later on, a Yankee named David Farragut had just blasted his way past powerful Confederate forts and sailed upstream to demand the surrender of New Orleans. New Orleans was once the biggest city in the confederacy. Returning to Butler, he had established a new headquarters in the rebel city, but most of the local Confederate battalions ordered to protect it went beyond Baton Rouge, the state capital. Afterward, Butler was visited by officers from three Confederate battalions that had remained behind when the city was taken. After Lincoln’s call for Union volunteers to re-establish the Federal government, the Confederate states began raising regiments to protect the south. Instantaneously, Louisiana’s governor proposed to raise three regiments of freed blacks to join the state militia troops. Subsequently, Butler’s initial answer was to politely decline the regiment of the three African American volunteer regiments. Benjamin insists, “I’ll enlist as many colored troops among the free Negroes as I can.” (Brooks 13). Substantially, Benjamin is saying he’ll capture the Negroes to fight in the war, this is where the start of the conflict begins. (Brooks 13)

Continuing, on September 27th, 1862, the 1st Regiment of the Louisiana Native Guard became the first African-American regiment to serve in the US Civil War. The regiments were officially enrolled in the Federal army before being dispatched 4 miles north of New Orleans. One of General Butler’s staff officers saw the enormous possibility of enlisting the support of these black men in the fighting against the Confederacy. Afterward, there were over 180,000 black soldiers to serve in the Union army during the Civil War, including 1,200 African Americans from Louisiana who were drilled and trained at a dusty campground outside New Orleans. These individuals had to contend with bad food, worms, poor medical treatment, and battle tactics, among other things. Subsequently, over 60,000 troops would perish as a result of sickness or enemy bullets. For another year, the conflict raged on, as more and more African Americans were given muskets and sent in to fight. People in both the North and South realized that the war would not be won or lost solely by white Americans. (Brooks 14-16)

Additionally, Robert Smalls is the first African American to command a ship in the US Navy. Robert was born in the town of Beaufort, South Carolina, in the year 1839. Smalls was then allowed to work for day wages on the rock in Charleston after his master relocated there in 1851. Robert went on to become a good harbor pilot and steersman. He was married and had two children when the Civil War broke out. After that, he was drafted into the Confederate Navy. During April of 1862, he was assigned to the armed transport ship as a Stearman and pilot, while his brother John was promoted to chief engineer. On the morning of May 13th, 1862, the ‘Planter’ was moored near the army headquarters on the Charleston Waterfront in her “usual birth.” Smalls smuggled his wife and children aboard while his brother was distracted. (Brooks 17-18)

Later on, came the first of January, which was a bright, clear, and cold day in Washington D.C. Thousands of people were gathered in front of the White House. The President then signed the Emancipation Proclamation from the top of the stairs. If the Union won the Civil War on New Year’s Day, 1863, the document would be implemented. (Brooks 19).