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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...
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...
What did Confederate Soldiers Wear?
The following image provides an excellent insight into all of the clothing and equipment that a Confederate soldier would have worn. This "kit" is an example of a sergeant of from Company A, 24th Virginia infantry circa mid-1863. 1 - Jeancloth trousers &...
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...
The Civil War in Color Series: Francis Brownell
My colorization of Francis Brownell who received the Medal of Honor for killing James W. Jackson after Jackson shot Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, colonel of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Although Brownell didn't receive the award until 1877, a dozen years...
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...
Using Google Maps to Explore the Civil War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PH0HVy1a4g
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...




