Firsthand Accounts
Published: 8/2/24
Killing the Enemy
A sampling of first-person quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers on their feelings about killing the enemy.
Published: 7/15/24
An Emotional Welcome Home
Experience the powerful emotions of a family's reunion with Confederate soldiers returning home after the surrender at Appomattox.
Published: 7/8/24
The New York City Draft Riots
Discover the history of the New York City draft riots in 1863. Explore the causes, events, and aftermath of this violent protest.
Published: 6/24/24
Second Thoughts of a “Self-Reliant” Woman
In the summer of 1865, New York City resident Mary Putnam had second thoughts about a recent decision to accept a proposal of marriage.
Published: 6/10/24
Extra Voices: Civil War Homecomings
Read firsthand quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers and civilians about the homecomings that occurred at the end of the Civil War.
Published: 5/13/24
A Hospital Steward’s Story
Read Union soldier James Kendall Hosmer's account of the "soul-touching" time he spent as a hospital steward aboard the steamship "Iberville" in 1863.
Published: 4/22/24
War Poems of “Howard Glyndon”
Read samples of Maryland native Laura Catherine Redden's Civil War poetry, which she published under the pseudonym Howard Glyndon.
Published: 4/8/24
Extra Voices: Losing Comrades
Read firsthand quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about the loss of a comrade during the Civil War.
Published: 3/18/24
Homecomings
First-person quotes about long-awaited reunions between Union and Confederate soldiers and their loved ones at home
Published: 2/16/24
Jefferson Davis’ Inaugural Address
Read the address Jefferson Davis delivered on February 18, 1861, when he was inaugurated as president of the Confederate States of America.
Published: 1/8/24
Extra Voices: Doldrums of War
Read quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about the long stretches of inactivity and boredom they regularly faced.
Published: 6/30/23
Extra Voices: Trench Life
Uncover the harsh truths of trench life as described by Union and Confederate soldiers in their own words.
Published: 3/24/23
Extra Voices: Battle Fatigue
Read about the realities of battle fatigue in the Civil War era, showcasing soldiers' quotes that capture their exhaustion.
Published: 3/9/23
Eyewitness to the Battle of Hampton Roads
Read about the Battle of Hampton Roads through the eyes of Lieutenant Samuel Dana Green in a captivating letter to his parents.
Published: 3/6/23
“When the Boys Come Home”
Explore the poignant poem 'When the boys come home' by John Hay, published in Harper's Weekly during the Civil War.
Published: 1/9/23
Josephine Miller and Her Stove
Delve into the account of Gettysburg resident Josephine Miller, who had a memorable experience during the epic Pennsylvania battle.
Published: 12/5/22
Extra Voices: Army Stragglers
In the Voices section of our Winter 2022 issue we highlighted quotes about “straggling” soldiers in the Union and Confederate armies. Unfortunately, we didn’t have room to include all that...
Published: 9/26/22
A Straggler
Uncover the story behind the Army straggler illustration from Harper's Weekly, revealing the plight of soldiers during wartime.