Union cavalry troopers corner and shoot dead John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Lincoln, in Virginia.

The Union During the American Civil War

During the tumultuous years of the American Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, the term "the Union" specifically referred to the United States of America, a federal entity steadfastly led by its sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. This government, often simply called "the North" in common parlance, found itself locked in a brutal conflict against the secessionist states that had formed the Confederate States of America (CSA), more casually known as "the Confederacy" or "the South." The very name "Union" itself carries significant historical weight, deriving from its constitutional basis; the U.S. Constitution uses "Union" to describe both the foundational compact of its people and the collective of states bound together. In the direct context of the Civil War, however, "the Union" became synonymous with those northern states that remained unequivocally loyal to the federal government. This formidable political and military alliance comprised twenty free states, where slavery had been abolished, and five crucial border states.

These border states—Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and later West Virginia (which seceded from Virginia and remained loyal)—were pivotal. Though they were slave-holding states, they did not join the Confederacy. Their strategic importance cannot be overstated; they served as an indispensable supply base and buffer zone for the Union's eventual invasion of the Confederacy. President Lincoln astutely recognized that control over these states, particularly Maryland, which enveloped the national capital of Washington, D.C., was absolutely essential for victory. Losing Maryland would have isolated the capital, rendering the Union's position untenable.

The economic and industrial might of the Union was concentrated in its northeastern and upper Midwestern regions. These areas became the veritable engine of a mechanized war, churning out vast quantities of munitions, weaponry, and essential supplies. This industrial prowess was complemented by robust financial institutions that provided the necessary capital to fund the immense war effort. Beyond industry and finance, the Northeast and Midwest also supplied a continuous stream of soldiers, abundant food provisions, and horses, along with critical training camps and widespread army hospitals established to care for the wounded.

Politically, the northern states largely featured Republican governors who were fervent in their support of the war. They proactively worked to suppress any anti-war sentiment or subversive activities, which became particularly pronounced in 1863 and 1864. The Democratic Party, while initially rallying behind the Union cause in 1861, soon found itself deeply divided. By 1862, it had splintered into two factions: the War Democrats, who continued to support Lincoln's efforts, and the vocal anti-war element known as the Peace Democrats, often pejoratively labeled "Copperheads" due to their perceived disloyalty or sympathy for the South. These Copperheads, led by extremist figures, advocated for an immediate peace settlement. Despite these internal divisions, the Democrats managed to make significant electoral gains in state elections in 1862, most notably in New York. However, their momentum faltered in 1863, with notable losses, particularly in Ohio. By the crucial election year of 1864, the Republicans shrewdly campaigned under the banner of the National Union Party. This strategic rebranding successfully attracted many War Democrats and soldiers, culminating in a landslide victory for President Lincoln and his entire ticket against the Democratic candidate, General George B. McClellan.

Remarkably, the Union states experienced a period of considerable prosperity during the war years, a stark contrast to the ravaged southern landscape. This economic boom was primarily driven by heavy government spending and the revolutionary establishment of an entirely new national banking system. Beyond material investments, the Union states also dedicated substantial resources to organizing comprehensive psychological and social support systems for soldiers' wives, widows, and orphans, as well as for the soldiers themselves, acknowledging the profound impact of war on families and individuals. While most soldiers initially volunteered, after 1862, many also enlisted to preempt the federal draft and to take advantage of the generous cash bounties offered by states and local communities. Nevertheless, resistance to the draft was a significant issue in some larger urban centers, most infamously during the massive anti-draft riots that engulfed parts of New York City in July 1863, and in more isolated regions, such as the coal mining districts of Pennsylvania.

The Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln

The closing days of the American Civil War, a period filled with hope and the promise of reunification, were tragically marred by an event that plunged the nation into profound grief: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. On the evening of April 14, 1865, just five days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, President Lincoln, accompanied by his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, attended a performance of the comedic play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. It was there, in the presidential box, that he was fatally shot in the back of the head by John Wilkes Booth, a well-known stage actor and fervent Confederate sympathizer.

The wound was mortal. Lincoln lingered through the night, receiving medical attention at the Petersen House directly across the street from the theatre, but succumbed to his injuries the following morning, April 15, 1865, at 7:22 am. His death marked a somber milestone in American history, as he became the first U.S. president to be assassinated. The nation erupted in an extended period of unprecedented mourning, with his funeral and subsequent burial becoming a symbol of a collective, heartbroken farewell to a leader who had guided the country through its darkest hour.

Lincoln's assassination was not an isolated act but part of a larger, more sinister conspiracy orchestrated by Booth himself. His desperate and ultimately futile aim was to reignite the dwindling Confederate cause by decapitating the United States government. The plot called for the simultaneous elimination of the nation's three most important officials: President Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of State William H. Seward. To achieve this, Booth enlisted a small group of co-conspirators.

The plan's execution, however, was far from successful beyond Lincoln's death. Co-conspirators Lewis Powell and David Herold were assigned the task of killing Secretary of State William H. Seward. While they did attack Seward, inflicting severe stab wounds, he miraculously survived the assault. George Atzerodt, tasked with assassinating Vice President Andrew Johnson, lost his nerve and instead became heavily intoxicated, abandoning his mission entirely. Thus, the broader plot to paralyze the Union government ultimately failed.

In the aftermath, Booth embarked on a dramatic twelve-day flight from justice, eventually cornered and killed by Union soldiers in a barn in rural Virginia. The remaining conspirators faced swift justice for their roles in the heinous plot. Lewis Powell, David Herold, George Atzerodt, and Mary Surratt (who owned the boarding house where the conspirators frequently met) were all arrested, tried by a military tribunal, found guilty, and subsequently hanged for their involvement in the conspiracy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What exactly were the "border states" and why were they so important?
The border states were five slave-holding states—Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia (which seceded from Virginia in 1863 to remain with the Union)—that chose not to join the Confederacy during the Civil War. They were incredibly important because of their strategic geographical locations, acting as a crucial buffer between the Union and the Confederacy. Control over these states was vital for the Union's defense and logistical operations, especially Maryland, which surrounded the federal capital, Washington, D.C.
Who were the "Copperheads" during the Civil War?
The "Copperheads" were a faction of the Democratic Party in the Union states who strongly opposed the Civil War and advocated for an immediate peace settlement with the Confederacy. They were also known as Peace Democrats and were often criticized by War Democrats and Republicans for their perceived disloyalty and obstruction of the war effort, sometimes even being accused of sympathizing with the South.
How did the Union finance the war?
The Union financed the war through a combination of measures, including significant government spending, issuing war bonds that citizens and financial institutions purchased, and implementing new taxes. A crucial development was the establishment of a national banking system under the National Bank Acts, which helped standardize currency and create a more stable financial environment for the massive expenditures required to fight the war.
What was the "National Union Party" in the 1864 election?
The "National Union Party" was a temporary political banner adopted by the Republican Party for the 1864 presidential election. This strategic move was designed to broaden the party's appeal and unite all factions supporting the war effort, including War Democrats and soldiers, under a common platform. It successfully helped President Lincoln secure re-election against his Democratic opponent, George B. McClellan, demonstrating a unified front for the Union cause.
What was the broader conspiracy behind Lincoln's assassination?
John Wilkes Booth's assassination of President Lincoln was part of a larger, more ambitious plot to simultaneously eliminate the three most powerful figures in the U.S. government: President Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of State William H. Seward. Booth believed that by decapitating the Union leadership, he could plunge the federal government into chaos and potentially revive the Confederate cause, even after its military defeat. However, only Lincoln's assassination was successful; Seward was wounded but survived, and Johnson's attacker failed to carry out his mission.