On this episode of Our American Stories by the Confederacy was losing the Civil War on the battlefield But hundreds of miles behind Union lines Confederate agents were fighting a very different kind of war Working out of secret bases in places like Montreal they gathered intelligence plotted acts of sabotage worked with Northern antiwar activists and searched for ways to disrupt the presidential election and ignite an uprising in the North Some even considered an extraordinary target Abraham Lincoln himself Patrick K O'Donnell author of The Unvanquished shares the hidden history of the Confederate Secret Service and makes the [... more]

On this episode of Our American Stories on May a large oak tree stood in the middle of some of the fiercest fighting of the Civil War For nearly hours Union and Confederate soldiers battled at close range at the Bloody Angle during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Thousands of bullets ripped through the air and so many struck the oak that they eventually cut through its trunk and brought the tree crashing down What remained was a shattered bullet-riddled stump In this installment of our American Objects series Ashley Hlebinsky shares the story of the Spotsylvania Stump Support [... more]

On this episode of Our American Stories by the time Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office in March seven Southern states had already left the Union and formed the Confederate States of America Virginia and the rest of the Upper South were still deciding what to do Lincoln entered the presidency with no executive experience and a question hanging over the country Could the Union survive In Episode of our ongoing Story of Us Story of America series Hillsdale College professor Bill McClay author of Land of Hope shares the story of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address and his tumultuous [... more]

The first successful submarine attack in history took place on February 17, 1864, when the CSS Hunley sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor. The Hunley's crew was on a mission to break the Union blockade, but the attack was only partially successful, and the submarine itself has remained a mystery for over a century. Its discovery and conservation have been the subject of much debate and interest, with some claiming to have found the Hunley's remains and others disputing their findings. [... more]

Robert E. Lee, a complex and beloved general, made a decision that would alter the course of his life and history. He rejected command of the Union Army and resigned from the military, citing his inability to raise his sword against his native state of Virginia. However, Lee's decision was not as straightforward as it seemed, and he was motivated by a desire to preserve his family's property and protect his relatives in Virginia. Lee's military strategy was to plunge the Army of Virginia deep into the North to sow chaos and undermine the Union's will to fight. He crossed the Potomac and marched his army northwards, but his plan was foiled by the Federal Army's determination and tenacity. The Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal moment in the Civil War, and Lee's defeat marked a turning point in the conflict. Despite his military setbacks, Lee remained a respected and admired leader, and his legacy continues to be debated and studied by historians today. [... more]

Robert Smalls, a former slave, stole a Confederate warship, delivered it to the Union, and became a hero in the process. He went on to serve in the Union Navy, fight for black soldiers' rights, and become a prominent politician in South Carolina. [... more]

The 1864 Battle of Monocacy, also known as the battle to save Washington, D.C., was a pivotal event in American history. Union General Lou Wallace, with a small force of mostly inexperienced troops, held off Confederate General Jubal Early's army, giving Grant time to send reinforcements to the capital. The battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides, but ultimately, the Confederates were repelled, and Washington, D.C. was saved. This event had a profound impact on the 1864 presidential election, as Lincoln's victory was largely due to the Union's success in defending the capital. [... more]

A remarkable story from American history tells of a group of prisoners at Andersonville, Georgia, who prayed for water during a severe drought. Their prayers were answered when a spring burst forth, providing a lifesaving source of water. [... more]

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]

A white cloth, seemingly ordinary, holds an extraordinary story of the American Civil War, slavery, and the struggle for freedom. It was woven by an enslaved person on a plantation in South Carolina, and its history reveals the complexities of the war and the lives of those who lived through it. [... more]

Appleton Oaksmith's life was marked by controversy and transformation. Born into a life of privilege, he became embroiled in the slave trade, outfitting ships for the slave trade and even working as a Confederate blockade runner. However, he later underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming a pro-black civil rights politician in North Carolina. His story is a complex and intriguing one, full of twists and turns that span the entirety of the Civil War era. [... more]

Colonel Justin Dimmick, a West Point graduate and devout Episcopalian, served as the commander of Fort Warren, a Union prison camp in Boston during the Civil War. Despite the harsh conditions and federal regulations, Dimmick treated the Confederate prisoners with kindness and humanity, earning their respect and admiration. His legacy is a testament to the power of compassion and decency in the face of adversity. [... more]

On this episode of Our American Stories more than years after his death Jesse James remains one of the most famous and misunderstood figures in American history Was he a Robin Hood style folk hero or a ruthless criminal shaped by war and revenge Historian Roger McGrath traces Jesse James's life from his childhood in Civil War era Missouri through his years as a Confederate guerrilla bank and train robber and national celebrity Set against Bleeding Kansas Reconstruction and the lingering hatreds of the Civil War this story explains how violence propaganda and politics helped turn an outlaw into a [... more]

The GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma, is a unique burial ground that honors both Union and Confederate soldiers. The cemetery's office manager, Nancy Brough, shares stories of the history and legacy of the cemetery, including the tale of Booger Red, a Wild West bronc writer, and the 15 British cadets who lost their lives during World War II training. [... more]

Walt Whitman's experience during the American Civil War had a profound impact on his life and writing. He visited hospitals, wrote about the soldiers, and provided companionship to those in need. Meanwhile, human traffickers exploit vulnerabilities in everyday moments, and a water crisis affects Navajo families. In other stories, fantasy football can be exhausting, and a sleep aid is recommended to help with insomnia. [... 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]

Alonzo Cushing, a Union Artillery Officer, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 151 years after his heroic deeds during the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. His bravery and dedication to his duty are a testament to the sacrifices made by American soldiers. [... more]

Coca-Cola's rise to success is a remarkable story of business, entrepreneurship, and innovation. From its humble beginnings as a syrup to its current status as a global brand, Coca-Cola's story is one of perseverance, marketing, and franchising. The company's early days were marked by experimentation and innovation, with the development of the iconic bottle design and the creation of a standardized bottle. The Biedenharn family, who were among the first to bottle Coca-Cola, played a significant role in the company's early success, and their legacy continues to be felt today. The story of Coca-Cola is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the importance of innovation in business. [... more]

Charles Callum, a master con artist, reinvented himself multiple times during the Gilded Age, manipulating politicians and authorities to achieve his goals, including pardons from Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. His life reveals the malleability of identity during this period, as he assumed various personas and evaded detection. [... more]