The United States Tragedy: The Civil War Quiz

Answer: Alexander Stephens

Just as Jefferson Davis was the only President of the Confederacy, Alexander Stephens was the only Vice-President. Robert Toombs served as the first Secretary of State. Leroy Pope Walker served as the first Secretary of War. John H. Reagan served as the Postmaster General. After the war, Alexander Stephens eventually ended up serving in the United States Senate.

Answer: Montgomery, Alabama

Davis was sworn in at the State House in Montgomery. Richmond was the Confederate capital. Atlanta was destroyed by General Sherman later in the war. Chattanooga was the site of a bloody battle named the Chickamauga Campaign. Approximately 100 years after the inauguration, Montgomery was a key city in the Civil Rights movement.

Answer: Mississippi

Kentucky declared itself neutral, but when Confederate soldiers entered Kentucky, the state government asked for Federal troops to come in and force out the rebels. Tennessee was second to last to secede, leaving on May 7, 1861. Georgia seceded on January 19, 1861.

Answer: First Battle of Bull Run

In the First Battle of Bull Run, Generall Bee gave him that nickname due to the fact he stood up to the Union like a "stone wall".

The Battle of Pea Ridge was fought in the Western Theater; Jackson fought in the Eastern Theater. The Battle of Antietam was fought after the Second Battle of Bull Run, so Jackson already had earned his nickname. In the Battle of Chancellorsville in May of 1863, Jackson was wounded and died as a result of pneumonia he had contracted while recuperating from his gunshot wounds.

Answer: The University of Mississippi

Florida State University didn't officially come into being until 1901, but the location was the site of other higher learning institutions. The West Florida Seminary became the The Florida Military and Collegiate Institute. Cadets from that university did, in fact, fight in the Civil War. East Florida Seminary closed during the Civil War, and eventually was relocated to Gainsville and renamed the Florida Agricultural College.

The state of Florida expanded it and changed its name to the University of Florida in 1903. Clemson was founded in 1889, almost 25 years after the Civil War.

Answer: He was there for the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery.

The battle took place over three days, July 1-3, 1863. Lincoln gave his address in November, 1863, so both armies had long since moved on. His address lasted only a couple of minutes and no confirmed pictures taken of him giving the speech. There exists only one known photo of Lincoln even being in Gettysburg that day and it was taken several hours before the Gettysburg Address was given.

Answer: He offered his resignation.

Going into the Battle of Gettysburg Lee was overconfident in his men, but this battle would change the war. Both sides lost 23,000 plus men, but the South also lost its initiative. It never went on the attack again with any major significant offense. Lee's army simply reacted to the moves made by Grant for the rest of the war.

Answer: George Washington

William T. Sherman served under Grant and had the rank of major general (never Lieutenant General). Andrew Jackson fought in the War of 1812 and also achieved the rank of major general. George McClellan served as head of the Union forces twice during the Civil War, but was never promoted any higher than major general. Abraham Lincoln twice fired him from his command for not taking the fight to the Confederacy. Winfield Scott was given the rank, but it was in title only.

Answer: Danville, Virginia

Montgomery, Alabama was the site of the inauguration for Jefferson Davis. The Williamsburg, Virginia area saw some historic battles during the war, one in particular was the Seven Days Battles. Augusta, Georgia is best known for the Masters Golf Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Culb. Danville, Virginia served as the Confederate capital from April 3, 1865 to April 10, 1865.

Answer: Disease

Union deaths were easier to keep track of than the Confederacy, simply due to better record keeping and, obviously, the Union remained intact after the war so records remained consistent. It is virtually impossible to calculate the number of civilian deaths accurately for a variety of reasons.

Many families, at that time, simply buried members of the family and made no mention as to the cause of death. Two-thirds of all military deaths were attributed to disease.