CIVIL WAR ATTACK MANEUVERSBY NATHAN CONE

What main maneuver was used in the Civil War to attack?

The main maneuver used during the Civil War was called the Flanking Maneuver. The Flanking maneuver was executed by the attacking troops forming a U-shape, partially surrounding the enemy.

Attacking Troops

Defensive Troops

How did this maneuver differ from ones used in previous wars?

In previous wars, maneuvers were much less advanced. The troops used to just meet up facing each other and fire. The Civil War was much sneakier, and the Flanking Maneuver was excellent for catching the enemy off-guard.

Previous war lineup Troops from one

army

Troops from the opposing army

Was this maneuver more effective than ones used in previous wars?

As the Civil War itself was extremely advanced for its day, and therefore more advanced than any previous wars, the biggest maneuver used during the war was much more advanced. The Flanking maneuver was so effective because it caused the bullets shot at the enemy to converge. This formed a dense cloud of bullets, and this increased the probability of them hitting their target.

 Was this maneuver used by attacking troops or the ones being attacked?

The Flanking Maneuver was used by attackers to partially surround their enemy. The way this maneuver configures the troops is ideal for an effective attack.

Did both Union and Confederate troops use this maneuver?

The Union and the Confederacy both learned this maneuver when they were part of the same nation. When they split up and the Civil War began, they both used the maneuver when attacking. The Confederacy tried to fight a defensive war, so the Union did most of the attacking. The Union therefore used the Flanking Maneuver more often than the Confederacy.

Union Troops

Confederate Troops

When the Flanking Maneuver was used, it would mostly look like this.

Conclusion

The main maneuver used in the Civil War to attack was the Flanking Maneuver. This maneuver was not used in previous wars, and was much more advanced and effective. Attacking Union troops used this maneuver most. The Flanking maneuver was, and is, a very effective way of attacking. It was developed then, and is still used by troops to this day.