However, the war is still far from over, and future battles will be won by the side which is able to transport its troops and supplies most effectively. The Confederates, with less troops available, needs to be able to move its men around quickly: but if the government takes over private railways this could lead to further demonstrations about 'state rights'. The Unionists, as they take the war into the South, increasingly require longer and more efficient supply lines. Confederate Options Pass laws which bring the railways under government control, then use them to move and supply the army. Encourage private businesspeople to build the railways - we don't want to get into another debate about 'state rights'. Focus on sabotaging the railways of the north. Union Options Pass laws which bring the railways under government control, then use them to move and supply the army. Encourage private businesspeople to build the railways – the government has more important things like weapons to spend money on. Don’t rely on railways for moving and supplying troops - they are too easily sabotaged. Outcomes The Confederates had far less troops than the North and so it was important to be able to move them quickly to wherever they were needed. However, President Davis was unable to persuade the Confederate states to give him overall control of the railway network until the middle of 1863. In the meantime, he employed certain troops to focus on sabotaging the railroads of the North.
The Unionists were fighting a war of movement, pushing into enemy territory, so they needed efficient supply lines and invested heavily in the railways network. President Lincoln took overall control of the railway network as early as January 1862.
In the Battle of Chattanooga (November 1863, Tennessee). Unionist Generals Grant, Hooker and Shermann took control of Lookout Mountain from the Confederates and thereby gained control of the Confederate railway network.