Included here are primary source documents that tell the story of Civil War soldiers in their own words. These historic documents tell why men and boys joined so enthusiastically, and what trials and suffering were endured.

The place to go for information on the soldiers and sailors who served during the Civil War in both the Confederate and Union military. Use the searchable database to locate basic information about the 6.3 million men who served on both...

Discover an abundance of facts about the Civil War from topics such as Fort Sumter, the secession crisis, how the war was won, Bull Run, and Civil War soldiers.

A large repository of letters and diaries from both Union and Confederate soldiers, homefront letters, memoirs, and contemporary research files. Includes materials from the war years, 1861-1865, as well as materials from later periods...

This comprehensive site from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) describes the history of the participation of colored troops in the Civil War and government efforts to research and compile records about them....

North Carolina is rich in Civil War history. The Department of Cultural Resources has compiled this digital library of primary source documents to and from soldiers in honor of the sesquicentennial of the war.

An overview of African American's contributions during the Civil War. Presents the history, contributions, and information on the Underground Railroad.

Students analyze engaging documents written by children of the Civil War. After studying the documents, they are to complete various tasks as if they were there.

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in America to earn a medical degree, and used her talents to support Union troops on the front lines of the Civil War. But she was never given the credit she deserved.(Video 1:00)

Digital History tells the story of children's lives during the Civil War through their own words. The eight sections are titled: Child Soldiers, Conditions in the Contraband Camps, The Southern Homefront, the Northern Homefront, Near the...

This resource provides an overview of the African American soldiers who fought during the Civil War.

Students will analyze a series of photographs taken by renowned photographer Mathew Brady to reflect on the lives of soldiers during the Civil War. The holdings of the National Archives include over 6,000 photographs taken by Brady and...

These primary sources offer a glimpse into the mentality of those living in the South during the Civil War. Included are pictures, letters from soldiers, letters from women on the homefront, and reactions to the Confederate surrender and...

A wonderful resource using primary and secondary source materials to explore many facets of the Civil War from the war itself to its impact on the home front. Includes video and text downloads.

Point Lookout, Maryland, 1864-1865 John Jacob Omenhausser was a Confederate soldier who was imprisoned towards the end of the American Civil War, from June 1864 to June 1865, at Point Lookout, Maryland. During his stay there, he...

What a find! Watch videos, read essays, and find first-person accounts of the Civil War in relation to Illinois. Although no battles were fought there, the state contributed many regiments.

This site is provided by the Library of Congress. Through this collection of primary documents telling of the Civil War experience of Captain Tilton C. Reynolds, a member of the 105th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, you can find out...

In a time when military pensions were a large part of the federal budget, Black women faced unique challenges in securing compensation. Widows of Civil War soldiers could begin applying to the Bureau of Pensions during the war, and one...

A collection of well over 1,000 photographs of Union and Confederate soldiers from the Civil War, as well as some family members. Each photo is accompanied by a caption. Click on the 'Show more' link at the top of the page for additional...

To commemorate the sesquicentennial observances of the American Civil War, the Park Service has provided information on the legacy of the War: Then and Now. Each date of the War has supporting documents and is compared to the legacy or...

Get some first-hand information about a soldier's life during the Civil War from this large collection of letters, most of which were written by Confederate Soldiers. There is also a diary written by a member of the 20th Indiana Regiment...

Students read letters from an Iowa Soldier in the Civil War.

This site is produced by the National Portrait Gallery and is dedicated to examining the Civil War through the Smithsonian extensive collections. Contains many primary source exhibits such as diaries and portraits, focusing mostly on the...

An eight-lesson unit on the Civil War using Patricia Beatty's young adult novel, Charley Skedaddle, as the unifying text. Geared mainly for middle school, but certainly has good information for high school students as well.