At the height of the Civil War, during a quiet moment, sailors on the USS Miami played checkers. They listened to a banjo and drum, smoked, and read. Some were tough-looking and wizened. Others were baby-faced - they smile widely in an 1864 picture taken by an unknown photographer.
In the preparation of this volume, it has been the design of the editor to preserve the most notable anecdotes and incidents of the late war, and such songs, ballads, and other pieces of versification as are worthy of perpetuation. The tragic incidents, humorous episodes, and brilliant and historic adventures of the conflict, all lie buried in the columns of inaccessible newspapers; and it is not strange, therefore, that the editor should almost daily, for years past, have received letters requesting a re-issue of the work. The present edition is published in response to that demand.
New York, 1882 F.M.
Fort Pocahontas was an earthen fort built and manned by hundreds of United States Colored Troops under the direct command of Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild. The May 24, 1864, action resulted in a victory for the USCTs against an attack led by Major General Fitzhugh Lee, Robert E. Lee's nephew.
This website is a directory of links to online military indexes and records for USA genealogy research. Included are rosters, databases of soldiers, and listings of military and war casualties. Also included are some links to sources for military records in other countries (for World War I & II).
The Electronic Text Center is home to a variety of primary source material on the American Civil War, including letters, diaries and newspapers. Letter collections include searchable transcriptions as well as digital images of the manuscripts.
In the winter of 1861 Abraham Lincoln left his home in Springfield, Illinois to become President of the United States. Southern states reacted to the election of a Republican president by seceding from the Union, and the nation descended into Civil War.
Civil War Images, Photographs and Cartes de Visites from original and modern photos
Both North and South used music extensively during the Civil War to rally troops, as recreation, to march by, and many other reasons. Frequently both sides would borrow each other’s tunes or lyrics. It was not uncommon for each side to serenade the other, or for battle to stop while an impromptu concert was held.
Daniel Francis Kemp served as a Landsman in the United States Navy from September 26, 1862 until December 23, 1863, a year long commitment that the Navy extended to 15 months through bureaucratic snafus. During that time Daniel wrote regularly to his parents and sisters.
The 34 letters presented here in "Your Affectionate Son" span 65 years and 2 centuries.
Opening keynote lecture
Thursday, September 21, 2006
7:30pm
Working historians tend to Xerox first and think later. In trying to do all our research as quickly as possible, we collect reams of evidence from the archives and printed documents, most of which is ultimately forgettable and usually ends up in the recycle bin. This was almost the case when I came across a brief telegram in the Official Records, dated July 21, 1864, from William T. Sherman to Abraham Lincoln. It appeared to be a minor but friendly dispatch demonstrating Sherman’s acquiescence to the highest political authority of the land. Only much later, when I was working through the documentary materials surrounding this seemingly innocent missive, did I suddenly realize that Sherman was saying exactly the opposite of what his words appeared to mean.
Crisis at Fort Sumter is an interactive historical simulation and decision making program. Using text, images, and sound, it reconstructs the dilemmas of policy formation and decision making in the period between Abraham Lincoln's election in November 1860 and the battle of Fort Sumter in April 1861. The program primarily focuses on Lincoln, both as President-elect and as President. You will place yourself in Lincoln's position, consider the events that transpire, and choose a course of action at five critical junctures, called "problems." At each of these five junctures, Lincoln made a decision that helped determine the outcome of the crisis at Fort Sumter. In order to assess each problem and make a decision, advice is available from official advisors, such as cabinet members, and from various informal channels, such as newspapers, friends, and public spokesmen. You must, therefore, assess information, calculate the consequences of various options, determine a course of action, and evaluate your decision, just as Lincoln did during the winter and spring of 1860-1861. While Crisis at Fort Sumter focuses on Lincoln and his administration, it also provides relevant information about events in the Confederacy. This information is placed alongside a Stars and Bars icon to distinguish it from events taking place elsewhere.