West Point and the Civil War: A Detailed Look at the United States Military Academy's Role in the Conflict

The United States Military Academy at West Point played a significant role in the Civil War. Nearly half of the graduates of West Point who were serving in the U.S. Army in 1861 resigned to join the Confederate Army, and West Point graduates commanded armies and corps on both sides of the conflict.

The most famous West Point graduate of the Civil War was Ulysses S. Grant, who commanded the Union Army to victory. Other notable West Point graduates who fought for the Union included George McClellan, William Tecumseh Sherman, and Philip Sheridan. Among the West Point graduates who fought for the Confederacy were Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and James Longstreet.

Before the Storm: West Point and the Civil War (Annotated)

by Hafsa Lodi

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	591 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	179 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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West Point graduates fought in every major battle of the Civil War, from the First Battle of Bull Run to the Battle of Appomattox Court House. They played a key role in the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg, and they commanded both the Union and Confederate armies at the Battle of Antietam.

The Civil War had a profound impact on West Point. The number of cadets enrolled at the academy dropped sharply during the war, and the curriculum was revised to emphasize military science and tactics. After the war, West Point became a more selective and prestigious institution, and it continued to play a key role in the training of American military leaders.

The Number of West Point Graduates Who Fought in the Civil War

Of the 857 West Point graduates who were serving in the U.S. Army in 1861, 492 resigned to join the Confederate Army. This means that nearly half of the West Point graduates who were serving in the U.S. Army at the start of the war chose to fight for the Confederacy.

The number of West Point graduates who fought for the Union is not as clear, but it is estimated that around 500 West Point graduates fought for the Union. This means that a majority of the West Point graduates who fought in the Civil War fought for the Union.

The Battles West Point Graduates Fought In

West Point graduates fought in every major battle of the Civil War, from the First Battle of Bull Run to the Battle of Appomattox Court House. They played a key role in the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg, and they commanded both the Union and Confederate armies at the Battle of Antietam.

Some of the other notable battles in which West Point graduates fought include:

• Battle of Shiloh
• Battle of Vicksburg
• Battle of Chattanooga
• Battle of Atlanta
• Battle of the Wilderness
• Battle of Spotsylvania
• Battle of Cold Harbor
• Battle of Petersburg

The Impact of West Point Graduates on the Civil War

West Point graduates had a significant impact on the Civil War. They commanded armies and corps on both sides of the conflict, and they played a key role in many of the war's most important battles. The Civil War was a watershed moment in American history, and West Point graduates played a major role in shaping the outcome of the war.

The Civil War was a complex and bloody conflict that had a profound impact on the United States. West Point played a significant role in the war, with its graduates fighting on both sides of the conflict. The Civil War was a watershed moment in American history, and West Point graduates played a major role in shaping the outcome of the war.

Additional Resources

• West Point History
• The American Civil War
• National Park Service: Civil War

Image Credits

• Battle of Gettysburg: Library of Congress
• Battle of Antietam: Library of Congress
• Ulysses S. Grant: Library of Congress
• Robert E. Lee

Before the Storm: West Point and the Civil War (Annotated)

by Hafsa Lodi

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	591 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	179 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE