University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Black Lost Cause. Colored Service in Confederate Army
This well-researched extensive essay by Peter Stam looks at the issue of the number of African Americans serving in the Confederate Army as soldiers. By examining information from many historians, some of whom turn out to be unreliable,...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Frederick Douglass' Role in the Civil War
Frederick Douglass had the ear of Abraham Lincoln. Read about how he used his influence to allow African Americans to join the Union Army,
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: Albert Cashier Aka Jennie Hodgers: Private
A biographical profile of Albert Cashier aka Jennie Hodgers, who, disguised as a man, fought with the Union army.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: Moses Ezekiel: Vmi Cadet
Biographical profile of Moses Ezekiel, who served in the Confederate ranks when still a student at the Virginia Military Institute, and later became a well-known sculptor.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
Peruse the history of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park established in 1890 to honor the soldiers who fought on the two battlefields during the Civil War. The Military Park straddles the Georgia-Tennessee state...
University of Virginia
Virginia Center for Digital History: The Valley of the Shadow
This is a must-have site for the study of the Civil War. Students will have access to primary documents from many sources, including: census and veteran records, letters and diaries, newspapers, and church records. This Project explores...
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society: Home Front: How Did Slaves Support the Confederacy?
Read about the different roles that slaves and freed blacks took on in Virginia during the Civil War. They provided labor while the white men were away fighting and they helped with the military efforts. Many took the opportunity to...
Other
Cartania: Civil War Reflections 1862 1865
Harvey Hogue's adventures as a Union soldier in a Confederate prison camp, and his escape from the notorious Andersonville make interesting reading. Not exactly a primary source document, but stories from an actual participant in the...
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Winfield Scott
A brief biography of the famous Union military commander who devised the Anaconda Plan, Winfield Scott. Information is from the book, "Winfield Scott, the Soldier and the Man," by Charles W. Elliot.
Curated OER
Library of Congress: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Portraits
View this entire collection of beautiful ambrotype and tintype photographs of Union and Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Many have personal notes found in the case. It is very touching to see the young faces of these...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Negro in the Wars of the Nation
African Americans have fought proudly for our country as far back as the Revolutionary War. Christian Fleetwood gives an account of the history of African-American soldiers in the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. He cites examples of...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Gettysburg National Military Park: Camp Life
An online exhibit that shares items made or used by Confederate or Union camps. It also describes some of the soldiers' activities in camps between battles.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Soldiers: Making of African American Identity: 1500 1865
Photographs of and letters from black soldiers-both enslaved and free-from the late-eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries that examine military experience for African Americans.
Black Past
Black Past: Fort Pillow Massacre
In this encyclopedia entry you'll learn about the Fort Pillow Massacre where Confederate soldiers attacked a Union garrison of whom roughly half, about 300, were runaway slaves who joined the Union Army. Over two-thirds were slaughtered...
My Hero Project
My Hero: Clara Barton
Use this site to learn about the "Angel of the Battlefield," Clara Barton, who "helped find over 22,000 missing men" after the Civil War ended and founded the American Red Cross Association with some of her friends. Written by a student.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: Christmas Eve in War Times by Edward Payson Roe
Read the short story "Christmas Eve in War Times" by Edward Payson Roe about a family during the Civil War coping with celebrating Christmas Eve while their Union soldier son is missing.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Researching Information: Comparing Electronic and Print Texts
This lesson plan allows students to compare and contrast print text structure with that of an online site. Students work together and use worksheets in comprehending the informational text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7 Conduct short...
Library of Congress
Loc: Experiencing War: African Americans: Fighting Two Battles
Online personnel narratives by African American soldiers who participated in World War II.
Other
Kentucky Historical Society: Kentucky Military Treasures
A collection of personal stories, illustrated with artifacts, documents, and photographs, that exemplifies the military experiences of Kentuckians in America's wars, beginning with the War of 1812. Requires Adobe Flash.
Curated OER
Smithsonian: Civil War
By clicking "View opening movie," students hear "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and view a short slide presentation of flags, weapons, soldiers on the battlefield, camp, and Civil War heroes. For older students, the video could be played...
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: Robert Gould Shaw
Biographical profile of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who led the 54th Massachusetts, one of the first-formed African American regiments of Union soldiers.
Other
Bonps: Battle of Nashville, a Narrative
The Battle of Nashville Preservation Society (BONPS) offers a narrative of the Battle of Nashville. Content addresses Hood's strategy to reclaim Tennessee, the Union opposition, the steps to battle, the battle itself (blow-by-blow), and...
US National Archives
Nara: American Originals: 54th Regiment Casualty List
An interesting webpage in that it contains a brief summary of the history of the Regiment as well as the Casualty List from the assault on Fort Wagner and two historic photos.
Other
The Ambrose Bierce Project: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
This site is devoted the work of writer Ambrose Bierce. Visitors can view pages from the printed editon of the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and read an annotated version of the text. Links within the site provide...