Today in History–June 3–the Library of Congress features the second Battle of Cold Harbor, begun on this day in 1864. The bloody battle ensued when Union General Ulysses S. Grant encountered Confederate troops in Virginia as he made his way to Richmond. Approximately 7,000 Union troops perished and Confederate forces suffered around 1,500 casualties in the nine-day fight. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources related to both … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Civil War Prison Experiences
Below you will find teaching ideas related to Civil War prisons and prisoners. Civil War: First-Person Narratives of the American South, 1860-1920 This collection chronicles the experiences of southerners from all stations in life -- white and black, rich and poor, including many accounts that relate the common soldier's perspective on the war. Some of these accounts were written by, or about, operatives behind enemy lines and will help readers appreciate the intensity of the sectionalism … [Read more...]