Union Army

The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, or the Northern Army. The Union Army was composed of the regular army of the United States, augmented by massive numbers of units supplied by the Northern states, which were known as volunteers.

Formation and Organization

The Union Army was formed in response to the secession of Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America. The initial call for troops was made by President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1861, following the Battle of Fort Sumter. The army was organized into several departments and armies, each responsible for different regions and theaters of the war.

The main armies included:

• The Army of the Potomac
• The Army of the Tennessee
• The Army of the Cumberland
• The Army of the Ohio

Leadership

The Union Army was initially led by a series of generals, including Winfield Scott, George B. McClellan, and Henry W. Halleck. However, it was under the command of Ulysses S. Grant that the Union Army achieved its greatest successes. Grant was appointed General-in-Chief of the Union Army in March 1864 and later became the 18th President of the United States.

Major Campaigns and Battles

The Union Army fought in numerous significant battles and campaigns throughout the Civil War, including:

• The Battle of Antietam
• The Battle of Gettysburg
• The Siege of Vicksburg
• The Atlanta Campaign
• The Appomattox Campaign

Soldiers and Recruitment

The Union Army was composed of both regular soldiers and volunteers. Recruitment was initially voluntary, but as the war dragged on, the Enrollment Act of 1863 instituted a draft to meet the increasing demand for troops. The army also included African American soldiers, who played a crucial role in the Union's victory.

Logistics and Supply

The Union Army's success was partly due to its superior logistics and supply chains. The North's industrial capacity allowed for the production of vast quantities of weapons, ammunition, and other supplies. The United States Military Railroad and the Union Navy also played critical roles in transporting troops and supplies.

Legacy

The Union Army's victory in the Civil War preserved the United States as a single nation and led to the abolition of slavery. The war also had a profound impact on American society, politics, and the military.

See Also

• Confederate States Army
• American Civil War
• Reconstruction era
• Emancipation Proclamation