The Confederate States of America, commonly referred to as the Confederacy, was an unrecognized breakaway republic founded by 11 southern states that seceded from the United States during the American Civil War. The Confederacy was founded on the constitutionally controversial principle of state’s rights, especially the institution of slavery. Here are 83 riddles about the Confederacy along with their answers.
History Riddles
1. Which Confederate state was the first to secede from the Union in 1860? South Carolina
2. What was the first capital of the Confederate States of America? Montgomery, Alabama
3. Who was the first and only President of the Confederate States of America? Jefferson Davis
4. What year did the American Civil War between the Union and the Confederacy start? 1861
5. What year did General Robert E. Lee surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, marking the end of the Civil War? 1865
6. What Confederate general was known as the “Little Napoleon” for his short stature and bold tactics? P.G.T. Beauregard
7. What was the bloodiest single-day battle in the Civil War, resulting in over 23,000 casualties? Battle of Antietam
8. Which state did West Virginia break away from after it seceded from the Union in 1863? Virginia
9. What was the name of the only submarine to sink an enemy ship during the Civil War? H.L. Hunley
10. What was the deadliest prison for captured Union soldiers during the Civil War? Andersonville
Military Riddles
11. What Confederate general was known as the “Wizard of the Saddle” for his brilliant use of cavalry forces? J.E.B. Stuart
12. Which Confederate officer is best known for marching his troops to the sea through Georgia in 1864? William T. Sherman
13. What was the name of the Union ironclad warship that battled the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia in 1862? USS Monitor
14. What Confederate battle flag with a blue saltire and white stars became a controversial symbol of the South? The Confederate Battle Flag
15. Who commanded the all-black 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first formal African American units of the Civil War? Robert Gould Shaw
16. What was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, resulting in over 50,000 casualties over three days near Gettysburg, PA? Battle of Gettysburg
17. Which Union general captured Forts Henry and Donelson in early 1862, earning him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender”? Ulysses S. Grant
18. What was the name of the Union warship that was sunk by the CSS Virginia, leading to calls for the Union to build an ironclad warship? USS Cumberland
19. Which Confederate general led a failed invasion of Maryland in 1862 that culminated in the Battle of Antietam? Robert E. Lee
20. What was the name of the Union fort in South Carolina that Confederates attacked in 1861, starting the Civil War? Fort Sumter
Geography Riddles
21. Which Confederate state had the largest population during the Civil War? Virginia
22. What was the northernmost Confederate state? Virginia
23. What river forms much of the northern border of Tennessee, site of fierce battles like Shiloh in 1862? Tennessee River
24. Vicksburg and Port Hudson on what major river were key Confederate strongholds until being captured by Grant in 1863? Mississippi River
25. Which Border State had divided loyalties but was officially aligned with the Union for the entirety of the war? Kentucky
26. Which geographic feature was the site of a major Confederate win at Fredericksburg and a major loss at Chancellorsville? Rappahannock River
27. The Shenandoah Valley was a vital agricultural region located between which two mountain ranges? Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains
28. Which Confederate port was captured by Union forces in 1862, allowing the Union blockade to tighten? New Orleans, Louisiana
29. The Battle of Glorieta Pass in 1862 helped Union forces win control of which contested western territory? New Mexico Territory
30. Which Confederate capital was burned as the Union army under Sherman marched through Georgia in 1864? Atlanta, Georgia
Politics Riddles
31. Who did Jefferson Davis choose as Vice President of the Confederate States of America? Alexander H. Stephens
32. What was the unicameral legislative body of the Confederate States of America called? Confederate Congress
33. Which Confederate lawmaker introduced the “Cornerstone Speech” affirming slavery as the cornerstone of the Confederacy? Alexander H. Stephens
34. What practice of using slaves for military labor did the Confederate Congress authorize in 1863 as troops were needed? Impressment
35. President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declared slaves free in which rebelling states? Confederate states
36. Which pending Confederate law led Texas to secede before it could be passed in early 1861? Public Lands Act
37. What Confederate tax-in-kind on agriculture led to riots and dissent as the war dragged on? Tax-in-Kind
38. Jefferson Davis had what previous political experience before becoming Confederate president? U.S. Secretary of War
39. Confederate Vice President Stephens did not seek which higher office out of loyalty to Davis? President of the Confederacy
40. Which Confederate politician was appointed to lead the Army of Tennessee but was criticized for lack of military experience? Braxton Bragg
Society Riddles
41. What women’s aid organization helped provide food, supplies and medical care for Confederate troops? Ladies’ Aid Society
42. The Confederacy relied heavily on what cash crop, produced mostly by enslaved people, to fund its economy? Cotton
43. The Lieber Code outlined ethical treatment of prisoners of war and emancipation for slaves among what population? Union forces
44. What term referred to the white migration to Confederate-controlled Brazil to establish new cotton plantations? Confederados
45. Bread riots broke out across the Confederacy in 1863 over what issue troubling civilians? Food shortages
46. Which group of pro-Union southern whites faced violence and intimidation from Confederate authorities? Southern Unionists
47. Mary Boykin Chesnut and Mary Chestnut are noted for what historical record from the Confederate perspective? Diary
48. Rose O’Neal Greenhow was a Confederate spy arrested by what Union general early in the war? Allan Pinkerton
49. The Confederate Constitution explicitly protected what right unlike the U.S. Constitution? Right to own slaves
50. What was the most common cause of non-combat deaths for Civil War soldiers? Disease/infection
Battles Riddles
51. Which 1862 battle saw Stonewall Jackson lead a flanking maneuver leading to a Confederate victory in the Shenandoah Valley? Battle of Cross Keys
52. What battle near Manassas, Virginia in 1862 was the first major battle for Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s troops? First Battle of Bull Run
53. Fort Wagner outside what important Confederate port was the site of the heroic but failed assault by the 54th Massachusetts in 1863? Charleston, South Carolina
54. The battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson were early Union victories that took place in what Confederate-aligned border state? Tennessee
55. Which battle saw Union forces fail to take Petersburg from Confederates, leading to a long siege of the city? Battle of the Crater
56. Confederate General Braxton Bragg won what 1862 battle in Kentucky that boosted Southern morale? Battle of Perryville
57. What Confederate victory halted the Union advance on Richmond and ended McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign in 1862? Seven Days Battles
58. The Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862 helped Union forces secure control over what contested western state? Missouri
59. Which climactic 1865 battle known as the “Fifth Battle of the Wilderness” ended with a Confederate rout and Lee’s surrender? Appomattox Campaign
60. General Grant used what winning strategy of continuous offensive operations to deny Confederates time to regroup? Overland Campaign
Leaders Riddles
61. Which Confederate general known as “Old Pete” had early victories at Seven Pines and Second Bull Run? James Longstreet
62. Who was the eldest Confederate general, known as “Old Reliable” for his methodical tactics? William Hardee
63. What brilliantly aggressive Confederate cavalry commander known as the “Gallant” Pelham was killed at the Battle of Kelly’s Ford? John Pelham
64. Which Confederate commander’s mortal wounding at Chancellorsville is sometimes described as Lee’s “greatest victory, worst loss”? Stonewall Jackson
65. Alexander Stephens served as Vice President to which former U.S. Senator and Secretary of War? Jefferson Davis
66. Who was the Confederate Secretary of State for the duration of the Civil War? Judah P. Benjamin
67. What Virginian was appointed Confederate Secretary of War in 1862 after being wounded at Manassas? George W. Randolph
68. Who replaced Simon Cameron as Union Secretary of War in 1862 and later became President? Edwin M. Stanton
69. Which Confederate Secretary of the Treasury implemented unpopular financial policies like mass conscription? Christopher Memminger
70. What Southern senator delayed his state’s secession in hopes of brokering a compromise to avoid war? John J. Crittenden
Places Riddles
71. Fort Monroe near what important Confederate shipbuilding city remained in Union control throughout the war? Hampton Roads, Virginia
72. The Siege of Vicksburg ended with what Confederate city surrendering on July 4, 1863? Vicksburg, Mississippi
73. Confederate troops won victories early in the war at Wilson’s Creek in what border state? Missouri
74. Which 1862 Confederate victory boosted Southern morale despite being strategically inconclusive? Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia
75. Cumberland Gap connects Virginia through which mountain range to Confederate Tennessee? Cumberland Mountains
76. Confederate Brigadier General Stand Watie was principal chief of what Native American tribe allied with the South? Cherokee
77. The First Battle of Bull Run took place near what Confederate capital? Richmond, Virginia
78. Confederate supporters in which Union-held city rioted against the Union draft in 1863? New York City
79. The Civil War began when Confederates attacked what Union-held fort in Charleston, South Carolina in 1861? Fort Sumter
80. Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith’s Army of East Tennessee secured control over what mountainous region? Appalachian Mountains
Events Riddles
81. The 1864 Confederate victory at the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg was marred by what postwar controversy? Confederate troops killing black Union soldiers
82. General Lee’s first major offensive in the war was the 1862 Confederate victory in the Peninsula Campaign at what Seven Days battle? Battle of Gaines’ Mill
83. Raphael Semmes received a commission from Jefferson Davis allowing him to operate the CSS Alabama as what type of Confederate vessel? Commerce raider
Conclusion
I hope these 83 riddles about key people, places, events, battles and policies provided an entertaining and informative overview of the history of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War era. Let me know if you need any clarification on the answers provided or if you have additional riddles to contribute on this fascinating historical topic!
