Images
Published: 2/19/26
Gardner at the Front
Alexander Gardner makes a rare appearance in a a wartime photo of correspondents working for the New York Herald.
Published: 2/19/26
A Heavy Crown
A look at the weighted "gymnastic crown" lauded by forward-thinking New York physician Diocletian Lewis in 1862.
12
Published: 2/2/26
Civil War Inventions
A look at a variety of proposed wartime inventions—some more practical than others—highlighted in the pages of The Scientific American.
12
Published: 1/12/26
Odd Civil War Photos, Pt. 3
Discover more strange and offbeat images from the Civil War in this installment of the "Odd Civil War Photos" series. Part 3 is here!
Published: 11/13/25
Wartime Zelig
A look at a wartime photo of Union soldier George Warren Dresser, who had a remarkable Civil War military career.
Published: 11/13/25
Marking the Dead
Among the scenes recorded by photographers in Richmond after the Confederate capital fell in 1865 was a poignant view of Oakwood Cemetery.
Published: 11/13/25
Abraham Lincoln’s Ghost
A look at photographer William H. Mumler's purported "spirit image" of Abraham Lincoln alongside his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.
20
Published: 11/10/25
Civil War Veterans, Part 3
Continue your journey into the lives of Civil War veterans with the third installment of our "Civil War Vetreans" photo essay series.
Published: 8/19/25
A Talented Duo
The story of two groundbreaking Union army surgeons, Washington Benson “Ben” Trull and Jerome Keating Bauduy.
Published: 8/19/25
Photographic Mapmaking
A rare image highlights the largely forgotten process of photographic mapmaking during the Civil War.
15
Published: 7/13/25
NYC Draft Riots
Learn about the New York City draft riots that erupted in mid-July 1863 through illustrations published in various newspapers at the time.
12
Published: 6/16/25
Civil War Fashion, Part 2
In this, the second installment of our "Civil War Fashion" series, we highlight more images of soldiers and civilians wearing snazzy clothes and accessories, carrying interesting props, and striking bold poses.
19
Published: 5/28/25
Reunion at Gettysburg
A photographic examination of the massive 50th anniversary reunion of the Battle of Gettysburg held in the summer of 1913.
Published: 5/28/25
A Costly Decision
A look at the pro-Union message contained in a patriotic illustration published on an envelope, or "cover," early in the Civil War.
Published: 5/28/25
An Unlikely Reunion
A photo of Confederate officer James Francis “Frank” Crocker offers a window into his extraordinary experience at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Published: 5/28/25
A Famed Photographer at Petersburg
The story behind a photo of the Petersburg trenches that includes a view of Civil War photographer Timothy O’Sullivan.
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Published: 5/12/25
Civil War Veterans, Part 2
Continue your journey into the lives of former Civil War soldiers with the second installment of our "Civil War Vetreans" photo essay series.
Published: 3/18/25
A Boy Soldier
The story of 15-year-old Jimmy Bateman's relentless pursuit to join the Union army in 1861.