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How the Civil War Turned the US Capitol into a Bakery

How the Civil War Turned the US Capitol into a Bakery

Bread for an Army: The Capitol Bakery During the Civil War When the Civil War began in April 1861, Washington, D.C., was suddenly overwhelmed. President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to defend the Union, and within days thousands of soldiers from...

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Follow the Drinking Gourd

Follow the Drinking Gourd

History and Background of Follow the Drinking Gourd During the time of slavery in the United States, spirituals were more than just songs; they carried hidden messages and instructions for enslaved individuals seeking freedom. Follow the Drinking Gourd is one of the...

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Happy Halloween – Spiders

Happy Halloween – Spiders

Soldier deaths during the Civil War were common however, the October 14, 1862 edition of the Charlotte Democrat describes the unfortunate events that lead to the death of a soldier from North Carolina.  When you hear of a soldier dying during the Civil War you...

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Developing Civil War Photographs

Wet-plate photography was the style of photography utilized during the American Civil War. It took a lot of time and effort to take the pictures. Photographers had to bring a cart with all of their bulky equipment, including a mobile darkroom, to the...

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Popular Songs of the Civil War

Popular Songs of the Civil War

Soldiers in both armies had their own favorite songs to sing and listen to. Sometimes they sang while marching to keep up their spirits. Union soldiers liked patriotic and sentimental songs. The Battle Cry of Freedom was a Union favorite. Some other...

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