TRANSPORTATION
THE FAST, THE FASTER, AND THE FASTEST
Transportation during the Civil War was vital in moving both people and supplies throughout the Union. Without the existence of cars and planes, Civil War leaders had to find other methods of quick transportation. Many infantries were still forced to march long treks to the battlefield on foot; however, transportation of supplies by locomotives and sea were being used as well. Without all of these transportation innovations, the war would've lasted much longer and would possibly have ended with a permanent secession.
RAIL & LOCOMOTIVEDuring wartime, steam engine trains were used as the fastest means of moving people and supplies in large quantities across land, especially for the North given that the war was fought in the South's backyard. The new steam powered locomotive added a whole new dimension of speed to the movement of precious war supplies and even troops. Although trains were the most essential method for mass transportation, other means allowed movement where railroad tracks did not lie.
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ROAD & WAGONRoads allowed for shorter trips across land by giving more versatile routes between railroad lines. Transportation by horseback as well as by wagon made good use of the road system in addition to being used on other terrain. Mid-battle, horses and wagons played a vital role in moving people and supplies, notably acting as the earliest versions of ambulances for wounded soldiers. Nevertheless, transportation by land was not always the best way to move from place to place.
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SEA & SHIPSShips allowed for water navigation across rivers, canals, and seas as both transportation devices as well as weaponry. The steamboat played a critical role as a method of transporting heavy cargo up and down rivers during the war. Both the Union and the Confederacy sought control over several rivers and waterways for this reason. In addition, the South developed some of the earliest forms of submarines before World War I.
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This is a railroad track that was crafted during The Civil War. Throughout the war, soldiers, materials and food were consistantly transported by rail. This form of transport allowed easier access to the people and raw materials needed to help keep the war going. Although railroads existed before The Civil War began, their usage increased significantly during war as an important way of transport.
The train, powered by the newer steam engine technology in this time, was vital to the war. The new quickness that soldiers, weapons of all kind, and supplies were able to be moved large distances created a far more fast paced war than before. This made the train a very important tool of transportation.
A simple mechanism of transportation, the wagon was essential in the Civil War. It was used for many new reasons during the war such as carrying heavy artillery, wounded and K.I.A.'s, and even smaller platoon boats. An early wartime evacuation vehicle as well, it progressed the speed of the war. Simpler methods of moving materials allowed for a faster battle.
A smaller steamboat from back in the period of the civil war, these ships were critical for transportation during the war effort. Steamboats were used for quicker movement up and downstream rivers and heavy cargo, soldiers, and supplies.
Commonly referred to as David, this submarine was one of the first attempts at submarine transportation and warfare before World War I. This new form of transportation led to future improvements to the more modern and effective model of the submarine.