Civil War Firsts
By: Lucas Kraatz
Gatling Gun
The gatling gun was the first machine gun ever (introduced in the Civil War). The gatling gun was mounted on wheels so you could easily move it, there was a crank that you turned so it would fire, and it would shoot rapidly.
Railroads
Both sides used railroads for transporting troops and supplies. The Union had a huge network of railroads and the Confederacy had a very small network of railroads. It wasn't very hard to send reinforcements, ammo, and weapons when needed because railroads were very fast.
Ironclads
Ironclads were a huge advancement because they were ships wrappaed in iron and could deflect any cannon shot. They were also heavily armmed with turrets and lots of cannons. Ironclads could destroy a normal ship within minutes. Wooden ships were gone after that.
Portable Telegraph
The Union used these while in combat so that Lincoln could contact the soldiers and tell them battle strategies. The confederacy did not have these, as they were not as advanced as the Union. This contributed a lot in the Union's victory.
Trenches For Cover
Both sides dug trenches for cover and to mount artillery. This changed the way the war was fought because the soldiers could actually take cover. The artillery could be fired out of the trenches too. This was a new way to fight.