Name___________________________
Read Chapter 16, Section 2, ​
Life in the Army​
pgs. 517­521 Answer questions on age 521, # 1, 3­5 1. Explain the significance of: ● the ​
Monitor ​
­ Union​
ironclad ​
ship. ● the ​
Merrimack­​
Confederate ​
ironclad​
ship (it started out as a U.S. ship, but was taken over by later renamed the ​
Virginia​
by the Confederates. The 2 ships fought a sea battle off of Hampton Roads, VA. Neither ship could do major damage to the other because of the protection offered by the iron their exteriors were constructed of. The Virginia/Merrimack eventually withdrew from the battle (although it appears it only withdrew because it thought the Monitor was giving up as it maneuvered away temporarily due to an injury to its gunner). The Merrimack was destroyed about a month later by its own troops because it was in dock for repairs and that area was about to be seized by Union troops (the Confederates did not want it to be re­taken by Union forces). Lasting significance of the battle: This was the first battle between ironclad ships in world history. The protection the metal offered to the ships was immediately recognized around the world. Both Britain and France immediately stopped building new, wooden ships and made plans to build their own ironclads. Centuries of wooden sailing ships “ruling the waves” was coming to an end. 3. What was life like for the volunteers? Volunteers trained at camps. Confederate soldiers often lacked uniforms and even shoes. Food became a problem for both sides. Boredom during the long training times and time periods between battles. 4. Why did so many soldiers die of disease? Military camps were filthy. Poor hygiene resulted in sickness. Doctors operated without washing their hands or tools. 5. How did the use of the rifle and the minie ball change combat tactics in the Civil War? Rifles and minie balls gave the advantage to the defender, so attacking soldiers were more vulnerable; soldiers hid behind fences or stone walls (when possible) or dug trenches to protect themselves in battle. 6. Why would commanders have to worry about marching too far from supply trains? If you get “cut­off” from them, then you are in big trouble. In an army with tens of thousands of men, you need a safe supply of food, water, ammunition, and many other supplies to your men ​
every​
day. 7. What caused the high death rates during the Civil War? a. The single biggest loss of life was to: sickness/disease Such as: Dysentery from infected (unclean) water. Infected wounds. Etc. b. Improved weapons: Rifled Barrels Minie Ball Repeating Rifles 8. Why were ironclads an improvement over wooden ships? SAME AS EXPLANATION ABOVE ● the ​
Monitor ​
­ Union ironclad ship. ● the ​
Merrimack­​
Confederate ironclad ship, later renamed the Virginia. The 2 ships fought a sea battle off of Hampton Roads, VA. Neither ship could do major damage to the other ​
because of the protection offered by the iron their exteriors were constructed of. ​
The Virginia/Merrimack eventually withdrew from the battle (although it appears it only withdrew because it thought the Monitor was giving up as it maneuvered away temporarily due to an injury to its gunner). The Merrimack was destroyed about a month later by its own troops because it was in dock for repairs and that area was about to be seized by Union troops (the Confederates did not want it to be re­taken by Union forces). Lasting significance of the battle: This was the first battle between ironclad ships in world history. The protection the metal offered to the ships was immediately recognized around the world. Both Britain and France ​
immediately stopped building new, wooden ships​
and made plans to build their own ironclads. Centuries of wooden sailing ships “ruling the waves” was coming to an end.