Trains in the Civil War
Railroads had a huge importance in the Civil War, and led to the Union winning the war. First of all, the Union had more lines so they could transport supplies quicker than Confederacy In fact, 70% of the nation's railroad lines were in the North. Also, Union trains could blockade Confederate rail lines easily, due to their significant rail dominance. Because of this, Confederate troops had to wait weeks for supplies. By the end of the war the Confederate population was starving, because of insufficient railroads. Next, Confederate armies could not directly transport troops and supplies to the battlefield. Large guns could be directly transported from the rail lines to the battlefield in the Union case.
Due to the importance of railroads, different types of trains were invented and thought of that the rest of the world soon used. Rifle monitors were invented, which were trains with metal plating that had big guns mounted. Rifle cars were trains designed to transport troops so they had thick plating that were impenetrable to cannon fire, but they could also carry big guns. Railroads were not just important supply lines, but they could also engage in combat.
Trains during the Civil War had a lot of tactical importance. Firstly, trains could patrol lines. By patrolling railroad lines trains could attack and slow down enemy operations. Also, Locomotives were sent out to spy on enemy armies. These trains would record information on the opposing army's troop size and movement. By doing this, armies were given an advantage over their opposition, and this advantage was usually given to Union armies. Next, communication during the mid 1800's was much slower and inefficient than it is today. Railroad lines and trains offered quick information between commanders to use during the war. Since the North had more lines they had information travel quicker and armies could help one another accordingly. Tactically, trains were regarded highly during the Civil War for the many advantages they offered.
Due to the importance of railroads, different types of trains were invented and thought of that the rest of the world soon used. Rifle monitors were invented, which were trains with metal plating that had big guns mounted. Rifle cars were trains designed to transport troops so they had thick plating that were impenetrable to cannon fire, but they could also carry big guns. Railroads were not just important supply lines, but they could also engage in combat.
Trains during the Civil War had a lot of tactical importance. Firstly, trains could patrol lines. By patrolling railroad lines trains could attack and slow down enemy operations. Also, Locomotives were sent out to spy on enemy armies. These trains would record information on the opposing army's troop size and movement. By doing this, armies were given an advantage over their opposition, and this advantage was usually given to Union armies. Next, communication during the mid 1800's was much slower and inefficient than it is today. Railroad lines and trains offered quick information between commanders to use during the war. Since the North had more lines they had information travel quicker and armies could help one another accordingly. Tactically, trains were regarded highly during the Civil War for the many advantages they offered.