Other Technology
"Railroad mileage jumped from fewer than 3,000 miles in 1840, mostly in the East, to over 36,000 miles that stretched West and South by 1860, across all settled parts of the Union."
~Communication Breakdown By DANIEL W. CROFTS
~Communication Breakdown By DANIEL W. CROFTS
Railroads had a similar impact on the war as telegraphs did. The speed of railroads along with the potential to transport incredible amounts of people at one time revolutionized the speed at which soldiers were deployed and received reinforcements. It also greatly affected the efficiency and speed of supply lines allowing both the Union and the Confederacy to sustain larger armies for longer periods of time.
"The biggest effect of the railroad on warfare was the ability to supply vast armies. The American Civil War armies were much larger then anything ever seen before for forces kept in the field year round. The railroads could, and did, move large numbers of troops quickly, such as shifting Confederate Longstreet and his corp from Virginia into Kentucky to surprise the Federals, and back again before the Federals could react in Virginia. But the biggest effect by far was the ability to haul supplies, especially food, long distances. "
~Emory Hackman
~Emory Hackman