This did not go unnoticed by Federal strategists intent on bringing down the Confederate war machine. To be sure, other parts of the South had mineral resources, notably Alabama with important iron and coal operations none, however, rivaled the richness and variety of the troves in Southwest Virginia. In addition, mines in the region yielded some copper, zinc, gold, and silver from time to time. The greatest concentration of this natural wealth lay in the mountainous southwestern quarter of the state where large deposits of saltpeter, lead, salt, iron, and coal had been exploited for over a century. Within the Confederacy, Virginia had long been the foremost mineral producer. The disparity in the capability to make items necessary to the conduct of hostilities rested primarily on the North’s possession of more mineral riches, most particularly iron and coal, the foundation of heavy industry. Some 90 per cent of the manufacturing capacity resided there- their factories made 97 percent of the firearms, 94 per cent of the cloth, 93 percent of the pig iron, and over 90 per cent of the boots and shoes. On the eve of battle in April 1861, most of the mines, forges, and foundries in America were located in Union states. But the two opponents were not evenly matched the North had a preponderant share of raw materials, manufacturing ability, and population. The American Civil War is often seen as the first truly industrialized total war, one that consumed enormous amounts of human and material resources.
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