Final answer:
The Union troops employed defensive tactics like holding high ground and used aggressive strategies to attack, even under extended supply lines and hostile conditions. Major General Ulysses S. Grant's offensive actions exemplify the Union's determination to conquer and pacify Confederate territory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Union faced significant challenges during the Civil War, including the necessity to conquer and pacify a vast area with a hostile civilian population, longer supply lines, and fighting in unfamiliar territory. In the battlefield tactics, commanders often tried flanking maneuvers; if those were ineffective, a direct assault was the alternative. The Union troops took up defensive positions, like at the Battle of Gettysburg, where they held the high ground and repelled Confederate attacks on their flanks. Major General Ulysses S. Grant, known for his aggressive strategy, pushed into Confederate territory following successes in Tennessee, exemplifying the Union's proactive stance.
Military Strategy and the Union Troops
The Union troops successfully employed defensive tactics such as holding high ground and repelling flank attacks, forcing the Confederates to either retreat or sustain heavy losses. Offensively, they managed forced marches and extended supply lines, showing both determination and resourcefulness in battle. This strategy of holding strong defensive positions while seizing opportunities to attack rendered advantages that were pivotal in campaigns such as the Battle of Gettysburg and further battles where Major General Ulysses S. Grant led Union forces to victory.