Explore a comprehensive 50-minute lecture on the military history of the early American Civil War. Delve into Union victories in the West, including Fort Donelson and Fort Henry, and meet Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Examine the brutal Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. Shift focus to the East and analyze Union General George McClellan's failed 1862 Peninsula campaign, which introduced Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Conclude with Confederate General Robert E. Lee's strategic decision to take the fight to Northern territory. Gain insights into the war's mood, key battles, and pivotal military leaders that shaped this crucial period in American history.