The SS Georgiana, a civilian ship built in Scotland, was intended to smuggle goods into the Confederate port of Charleston during the American Civil War. However, it was spotted by a Union lookout ship and subsequently destroyed by both Union and Confederate forces, resulting in the loss of millions of buttons and pins. [... more]

Robert E. Lee, the Confederacy's most powerful general, was born in 1807 at Stratford Hall on the northern neck of Virginia. He attended West Point, graduating second in his class, and spent his professional life in the Army's Corps of Engineers, specializing in fortification construction. Lee's frustration with slow promotion led him to accept a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Cavalry in Texas, where he chased Comanches and outlaws. In 1861, he was recalled to Washington to help write Army regulations, but ultimately refused President Lincoln's invitation to take command of federal forces and instead joined the Confederate Army, becoming a general and leading the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, and other pivotal battles. [... more]

The story of the largest prison break in American history, which occurred at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. 109 Union soldiers, led by Colonel Thomas Rose and Major Andrew Hamilton, escaped from the notorious prison, which was notorious for its harsh conditions and brutal treatment of prisoners. The escape was made possible by the intelligence and planning of Elizabeth Van Loo, a Union spy who risked her life to provide the prisoners with vital information and assistance. The story of the escape is a testament to the bravery and determination of the prisoners and the soldiers who helped them, and it highlights the complexities and challenges of the Civil War era. [... more]

In 1864, Abraham Lincoln faced unprecedented challenges as the Civil War raged on, with the Union's economy on the brink of collapse and the Northern public increasingly divided. Despite the odds, Lincoln remained resolute, backing his generals and working towards a transition to a new administration. The turning point came with Sherman's victory at Atlanta, which brought hope to the North and ultimately led to Lincoln's re-election in an electoral college landslide. [... more]

The Hunley, a Confederate submarine, made history by sinking an enemy vessel in 1864, but its exact fate remains a mystery. The submarine's crew, led by Commander Dixon, embarked on a daring mission to break the Union blockade in Charleston Harbor. Despite initial setbacks and a tragic end, the Hunley's legacy as the first submarine to sink an enemy ship endures, leaving behind a tale of bravery and innovation in American history. [... more]

Robert E. Lee, the Confederacy's most powerful general, was born in 1807 at Stratford Hall on the northern neck of Virginia. He attended West Point, graduating second in his class, and went on to become a skilled engineer, specializing in coastal fortification. Lee's frustration with the slow pace of Army promotion led him to accept a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Cavalry in Texas, where he chased Comanches and outlaws. However, it was in 1861 that Lee's life took a dramatic turn, as he was recalled to Washington and eventually became the commander of the Confederate Army, leading the Peninsula Campaign and fighting at Second Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. [... more]

Robert E. Lee, a highly respected engineer and military leader, was born in 1807 and went on to become the most powerful general of the Confederacy. He played a crucial role in the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, and other pivotal battles of the Civil War. After the war, Lee became the president of Washington College, where he successfully revamped the curriculum and transformed the institution into a thriving educational powerhouse. [... more]

The American Civil War was a culmination of many things, most of all slavery and the election of Abraham Lincoln. The war was a long road, a century in the making, and it was almost inevitable. Lincoln's goal was to preserve the Union, but it was not until well into the nation's bloodiest war that the ending of slavery itself would become an explicit northern objective. [... more]

The USS Hunley, a Confederate submarine, made history on February 17, 1864, by sinking the USS Housatonic, becoming the first submarine to successfully attack an enemy vessel. The story of its construction, testing, and eventual sinking remains a mystery, with various theories and claims surrounding its fate. [... more]

Marshall Field's life and career as a retail innovator and entrepreneur are explored, from his humble beginnings on a Massachusetts farm to his rise as a successful businessman and founder of the iconic Marshall Field's department store in Chicago. Meanwhile, Walt Whitman's experiences as a poet and volunteer during the American Civil War are also highlighted, including his visits to hospitals and his writings about the war and its impact on soldiers and civilians. [... more]