CONFEDERATE ARMY: The Southern Force That Fought the Union | American History Documentary

The Confederate Army was the principal military force of the Confederate States during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Created after the secession of eleven Southern states, it fought the United States in one of the deadliest conflicts in American history. In this American history documentary, we explore the organization, recruitment, weapons, commanders, battlefield tactics, logistics, and major campaigns of the Confederate Army. Discover how Confederate infantry, cavalry, and artillery fought across multiple theaters, from Virginia and Tennessee to Georgia and the Mississippi Valley. The documentary examines major battles including First Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and the final campaigns of 1864–1865. It also explores commanders such as Robert E. Lee, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, James Longstreet, and other officers who played major roles in Confederate military operations. The Confederate war effort faced increasing shortages of manpower, equipment, transportation, and supplies as the conflict continued. Its armies ultimately surrendered in 1865 as Union military pressure intensified across the South. The documentary also places the Confederate military within the broader historical context of secession and the defense of a slaveholding society, which was central to the creation of the Confederacy. Subscribe for more documentaries about historic armies, military commanders, major campaigns, battlefield tactics, and the history of warfare.