Here are just a few of the fabulous websites that chronicle the history of the Civil War. Full of images, little-known historical information, and further links to gather more information, click through for the best of the Civil War online.
This site provides a look at some of the Civil War artifacts in the nearly dozen of museums of the Smithsonian. Click an icon for information on topics such as clothing, weapons, and postage stamps for the Union and Confederacy.
back to page menuIf a picture is worth a thousand words, this collection from the Library of Congress is worth at least one million. Most of the images were made under the supervision of Matthew Brady. There are an additional 200 autographed portraits of army and navy officers, politicians and cultural figures.
back to page menuThis is the place to go if you are planning any trip to Civil War sites or are just an armchair traveler. There are maps, events, reenactment schedules, blogs, and an e-newsletter to get information. There is also a link to the 29 states where there are battle sites, museums and monuments to help you plan your trip. If you don't want to go too far, there are more than 30 sites listed for West Virginia.
back to page menuThe West Virginia Archives has organized a variety of links to the Civil War in West Virginia, featuring archival sources such papers and records. There are also links to information about individuals and to post-war activity in the state. Of particular interest are articles from West Virginia History: "The Civil War Comes to Charleston" and "Fayetteville, West Virginia in the Civil War."
On September 10, 1861 Union troops engaged the Confederates and forced them to evacuate an entrenched position which overlooked Carnifex Ferry on the Gauley River. Confederate forces retreated to the south side of the Gauley River and on eastward to Meadow Bluff near Lewisburg. This Civil War battle represented the failure of a Confederate drive to regain control of the Kanawha Valley. As a result, the movement for West Virginia statehood proceeded without serious threat from the Confederates.
back to page menuFederal forces were attempting to disrupt the Virginia-Tennessee Railroad at Salem and engaged Confederate troops at Droop Mountain in Pocahontas County. The advance of the larger federal forces collapsed Confederate lines and forced them to flee into Virginia. This battle occurred on November 6, 1863, and was the last significant Civil War battle in the state.
back to page menuWilliam S. Rosecrans led a reinforced brigade up Rich Mountain and surprised a Confederate outpost on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike (http://www.spturnpike.org/). The badly outnumbered Confederates troops held of the Union troops for two hours but were overrun by the larger force. This victory (http://www.wvculture.org/history/journal_wvh/wvh28-1.html) gave the Union control of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike and guaranteed access to the B & O Railroad.
back to page menuSponsored by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, this site compiles not just the history of the Civil War in West Virginia, but information on reliving that history - from museums to reenactments to links to the Civil War trails in surrounding states.
These three indexes would a starting point for information on anything Civil War. The breadth of topics makes these sites a treasure trove of information:
back to page menuOriginally published by the LSU Civil War Center, the Index of Civil War Information Available on the Internet is an index whose strength is the number of links for each topic. For example, there are more than 100 links on Medicine in the Civil War.Originally published by the LSU Civil War Center, the Index of Civil War Information Available on the Internet is an index whose strength is the number of links for each topic. For example, there are more than 100 links on Medicine in the Civil War.
back to page menuThe American Civil War Homepage began as a class project at University of Tennessee's School of Information Sciences twelve years ago and has grown to an award-winning site. The site defines itself as a "collection links gathered in this Homepage are a metaphor for the interconnections of the War's past with our present and future."
back to page menuCivil War Index Page is a smaller index, but is important because it does contain some unique material
back to page menuHere is a selection of terrific Civil War resource online - designed just for kids.
This site invites visitors to select from a list of highlighted major events in America's history, including the Civil War, to learn more about them. Links to recommended sites, photographic images, and recommended books on each topic are also provided. Come and virtually travel through hundreds of years of history!
back to page menuVisitors to the website can explore the history of the United States. The Civil War link features a short video on what happened during the Civil War, as well as related links to the Underground Railroad, Slavery, and Civil War Causes.
back to page menuLearn about major events of the Civil War year-by-year. Find out who the war's leaders were, what medicine was limited to in the second half of the 19th century, the slang of the times, and more. Don't forget to test your knowledge with the online quiz before you leave!
back to page menuThis website contains a timeline of important events, bar graphs with data about the North and South, Civil War battle victories, and images of Civil War uniforms and flags. Try some online activity sheets to learn about the history of the Civil War.
back to page menuThis website explores the history of the Underground Railroad that existed in the early 19th century to help enslaved people flee the South. The site contains topic headings, a chronology of events, photographs, maps, and more!
back to page menuCompiled by students in second grade class at Pocantico Hills School in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Provides a quiz, crossword puzzles, timeline and poems about Harriet Tubman.
back to page menuThis newly launched website aims at engaging people worldwide in understanding slavery's past and becoming inspired to participate in or support freedom-seeking movements in the present. The excellent Slavery's Past section gives background information on the Underground Railroad, includes a timeline, shares stories of numerous individual people, gives links to scholarly articles and other historical sites, and has an extensive section with local stories from each state.
back to page menuTake a tour of the White House on Emancipation Day. Follow along with Tad Lincoln as his father signs the Emancipation Proclamation in the middle of the Civil War. Find out what great event took place in the White House on New Year's Day, prior to the freeing of the slaves.
back to page menuCreated as part of the National Park Service's main online resource on national monuments and parks, this Web site focuses on the Clara Barton National Historic Site in Maryland. Come and learn about the life of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. From this house, Miss Barton organized relief efforts for victims of natural disasters and war. In addition, the site contains facts, news, tourist resources, and ideas for park activities.
back to page menu