Story of the Civil War

The four bloody years of the American Civil War left a permanent scar on the nation. Through it all, people on both sides fought bravely for the causes they believed in, both on the battlefield and beyond. A select few of these people are remembered as war heroes. Learn about these remarkable people and the key roles they played in the Civil War.

When the American Civil War ended in 1865, the country faced the huge challenge of rebuilding and healing after four years of bitter war. Cities of the war torn South had to be rebuilt, and the rights of former slaves needed to be protected. Find out about the successes and failures of the trying Reconstruction period of American history.

Imagine dodging bullets as you rush to help a wounded soldier on a battlefield. Or hiding secret messages in your skirt and sneaking across enemy lines. Women did these things and more during the American Civil War. Some worked as nurses or spies, while others were abolitionists, authors or preachers. But whatever their job, these women fought for what they believed in. Learn about the efforts of these brave women, and open your eyes to the impact women made in the Civil War.

In the Civil War, battles raged in more than 20 states. The war between North and South remains the bloodiest in U.S. history. The casualties of the Battle of Gettysburg numbered more than 50,000 alone, and the day the Battle of Antietam was fought September 17, 1862 is recorded as the deadliest single day in U.S. military history. Find out what happened in the wars largest battles to cause the devastation that still scars the nation today.