None too military in appearance, such ragged squads of men and boys developed into an army that marched an average of 16 miles a day. None too military in appearance, such ragged squads of men and boys developed into an army that marched an average of 16 miles a day.


Smartly dressed amphibious soldiers. Some of the 3,000 U.S. Marines of the Civil War made landings on Southern coasts, but the majority served as gun crews aboard ship. Smartly dressed amphibious soldiers. Some of the 3,000 U.S. Marines of the Civil War made landings on Southern coasts, but the majority served as gun crews aboard ship.



Jack-tars of the old Navy saw plenty of action in clearing the Mississippi and chasing down Confederate raiders of the high seas. Because of the high bounties and pay, many foreign seafarers were attracted to both navies. Jack-tars of the old Navy saw plenty of action in clearing the Mississippi and chasing down Confederate raiders of the high seas. Because of the high bounties and pay, many foreign seafarers were attracted to both navies.



Ill-clad and poorly equipped, Confederate volunteers at Pensacola, Florida, wait their turn for the smell of black powder. Ill-clad and poorly equipped, Confederate volunteers at Pensacola, Florida, wait their turn for the smell of black powder.


On the silent battlefield at Gettysburg, veterans of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia who survived the baptism by fire await their fate as prisoners of war. On the silent battlefield at Gettysburg, veterans of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia who survived the baptism by fire await their fate as prisoners of war.



Regimental camp sites created sanitary problems that went unsolved. Typhoid fever, diarrhea, and dysentery took the lives of over 70,000 Union soldiers. Regimental camp sites created sanitary problems that went unsolved. Typhoid fever, diarrhea, and dysentery took the lives of over 70,000 Union soldiers.



Private residences like the Wallach House at Culpeper, Virginia, provided generals on both sides with comfortable quarters in the field. Staff officers were usually tented on the lawns. Private residences like the Wallach House at Culpeper, Virginia, provided generals on both sides with comfortable quarters in the field. Staff officers were usually tented on the lawns.


Log cabins often replaced tents during the winter months when campaigning slackened and the armies settled down. In some camps it was not uncommon to find visiting army wives. Log cabins often replaced tents during the winter months when campaigning slackened and the armies settled down. In some camps it was not uncommon to find visiting army wives.



Soldiers turned to a variety of activities to break the long days and weeks of monotonous camplife. Even officers were not immune to the horseplay. Soldiers turned to a variety of activities to break the long days and weeks of monotonous camplife. Even officers were not immune to the horseplay.


When two or more Yanks or Rebs gathered together, a deck of cards often made its appearance. Fearful of an angry God, soldiers usually discarded such instruments of sin before entering battle. When two or more Yanks or Rebs gathered together, a deck of cards often made its appearance. Fearful of an angry God, soldiers usually discarded such instruments of sin before entering battle.



Chess, a favorite pastime in camp, finds Colonel Martin McMahon, General Sedgwick's adjutant, engaged in the contest that was a favorite of Napoleon and many other military leaders. Chess, a favorite pastime in camp, finds Colonel Martin McMahon, General Sedgwick's adjutant, engaged in the contest that was a favorite of Napoleon and many other military leaders.


A much disliked chore even in fair weather—a lone Union soldier walks his post in the bitter cold at Nashville. A much disliked chore even in fair weather—a lone Union soldier walks his post in the bitter cold at Nashville.



A forerunner of Father Francis Patrick Duffy, heroic Chaplain of the famous 69th New York Regiment in World War I, says Mass for the Shamrock Regiment of the 1860's. Most Civil War regiments had a chaplain. A forerunner of Father Francis Patrick Duffy, heroic Chaplain of the famous 69th New York Regiment in World War I, says Mass for the Shamrock Regiment of the 1860's. Most Civil War regiments had a chaplain.


A contribution to camp religious life, the 50th New York Engineers constructed this church for their comrades at Petersburg. A contribution to camp religious life, the 50th New York Engineers constructed this church for their comrades at Petersburg.



Newspaper correspondents like these from the New York Herald kept the public well informed, though they often revealed valuable military information to the Confederacy. The New York paper usually reached the Confederate War Department on the day following publication. Newspaper correspondents like these from the New York Herald kept the public well informed, though they often revealed valuable military information to the Confederacy. The New York paper usually reached the Confederate War Department on the day following publication.



With the technique of photo-engraving yet to be developed, war scenes for newspapers and magazines had to be drawn and reproduced from woodcuts. Artists such as A. R. Waud, shown here at Gettysburg, vividly depicted the events for Harper's Weekly. With the technique of photo-engraving yet to be developed, war scenes for newspapers and magazines had to be drawn and reproduced from woodcuts. Artists such as A. R. Waud, shown here at Gettysburg, vividly depicted the events for Harper's Weekly.


The Civil War as it appeared back home. It was almost 40 years before the public saw the thousands of photographs taken by Mathew Brady and his contemporaries. The Civil War as it appeared back home. It was almost 40 years before the public saw the thousands of photographs taken by Mathew Brady and his contemporaries.



In a desperate attempt to raise the Federal blockade of Southern ports, the Confederate Navy built the first ironclad. More than a dozen of these rams, all similar to the Albemarle (pictured above), were constructed. In a desperate attempt to raise the Federal blockade of Southern ports, the Confederate Navy built the first ironclad. More than a dozen of these rams, all similar to the Albemarle (pictured above), were constructed.


At first, ironclads were scoffed at by Federal naval authorities, but the monitors, styled "iron coffins", proved their worth in battle with the river navies. By 1865 fifty-eight of the turreted vessels had been built, some of which became seagoing. At first, ironclads were scoffed at by Federal naval authorities, but the monitors, styled "iron coffins", proved their worth in battle with the river navies. By 1865 fifty-eight of the turreted vessels had been built, some of which became seagoing.



With untiring vigilance, steam-powered gunboats like the Mendota plied the Southern coastline to enforce the blockade against Confederate trade with England and France. With untiring vigilance, steam-powered gunboats like the Mendota plied the Southern coastline to enforce the blockade against Confederate trade with England and France.


The C.S.S. Hunley, a completely submersible craft, was hand-propelled by a crew of eight. The 25-foot submarine sank off Charleston along with her first and only victim, the U.S.S. Housatonic. The C.S.S. Hunley, a completely submersible craft, was hand-propelled by a crew of eight. The 25-foot submarine sank off Charleston along with her first and only victim, the U.S.S. Housatonic.



Steam-powered torpedo boats of the Confederate Navy were capable of partially submerging with only their stacks showing. These tiny "Davids", named after the Biblical warrior, could be either manned or remotely controlled from shore. Steam-powered torpedo boats of the Confederate Navy were capable of partially submerging with only their stacks showing. These tiny "Davids", named after the Biblical warrior, could be either manned or remotely controlled from shore.



U.S. Army Uniforms (LIEUT. GENERAL; BRIG. GENERAL; COLONEL OF INFANTRY; CAPTAIN OF ARTILLERY)
LIEUT. GENERAL U.S. ARMY.
UNDRESS		BRIG. GENERAL U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS		COLONEL OF INFANTRY U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS		CAPTAIN OF ARTILLERY U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS



U.S. Army Uniforms
MAJOR OF CAVALRY, U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS		LIEUT. COLONEL, SURG., U.S. ARMY.
OFFICERS OVERCOAT AND STAFF TROWSERS		SERGEANT MAJOR, ARTILLERY, U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS		SERGEANT, INFANTRY, U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS



U.S. Army Uniforms (Private, U.S. INFANTRY; CORPORAL, CAVALRY; PRIVATE, LIGHT ARTILLERY; GREAT COAT FOR ALL MOUNTED MEN)
PRIVATE, U.S. INFANTRY.
FATIGUE MARCHING ORDER		CORPORAL, CAVALRY, U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS		PRIVATE, LIGHT ARTILLERY, U.S. ARMY.
FULL DRESS		GREAT COAT FOR ALL MOUNTED MEN



UNITED STATES UNIFORMS IN THE CIVIL WAR
UNITED STATES UNIFORMS IN THE CIVIL WAR
REG. CAVALRY PRIVATE.GEN. GRANT'S UNIFORM.ARTILLERY LINE OFFICER.DURYEA'S ZOUAVE.HAWKIN'S ZOUAVE.REG. INFANTRY PRIVATE.DURYEA'S ZOUAVE LINE OFFICER.CAMPAIGN UNIFORM INFANTRY.REG. ARTILLERY PRIVATE.INFANTRY OVERCOAT.





CONFEDERATE UNIFORMS
CONFEDERATE UNIFORMS
NORTH CAROLINA MILITIA.REG. INFANTRY PRIVATE.WASHINGTON ARTILLERY.MONTGOMERY TRUE BLUE.FIELD OFFICER OF INFANTRY.GEN. LEE'S UNIFORM.REG. CAVALRY PRIVATE.LOUISIANA TIGER.LOUISIANA ZOUAVE.REG. ARTILLERY PRIVATE.





C.S. Army Uniforms (GENERAL; COLONEL, INFANTRY; COLONEL, ENGINEERS; MAJOR, CAVALRY)
GENERAL,
C.S. ARMY.		COLONEL, INFANTRY,
C.S. ARMY.		COLONEL, ENGINEERS,
C.S. ARMY.		MAJOR, CAVALRY,
C.S. ARMY.





C.S. Army Uniforms (SURGEON, MAJOR MED. DEPT.; CAPTAIN, ARTILLERY; FIRST LIEUTENANT, INFANTRY; SERGEANT, CAVALRY)
SURGEON, MAJOR MED. DEPT.,
C.S. ARMY.		CAPTAIN, ARTILLERY,
C.S. ARMY.		FIRST LIEUTENANT, INFANTRY,
C.S. ARMY.		SERGEANT, CAVALRY,
C.S. ARMY.





C.S. Army Uniforms (CORPORAL, ARTILLERY; PRIVATE, INFANTRY; INFANTRY OVERCOAT; CAVALRY OVERCOAT)
CORPORAL, ARTILLERY,
C.S. ARMY.		PRIVATE, INFANTRY,
C.S. ARMY.		INFANTRY C.S. ARMY.
OVERCOAT		CAVALRY C.S. ARMY.
OVERCOAT



In 1864 nearly 4,000 wagons traveled with Meade's Army of the Potomac, each capable of carrying 2,500 pounds of supplies. During one year the Federal Army purchased 14,500 wagons and captured an additional 2,000. In 1864 nearly 4,000 wagons traveled with Meade's Army of the Potomac, each capable of carrying 2,500 pounds of supplies. During one year the Federal Army purchased 14,500 wagons and captured an additional 2,000.


"The muscles of his brawny arms are strong as ironbands...." Union Army blacksmiths had to shoe nearly 500 new horses and mules daily. "The muscles of his brawny arms are strong as ironbands...." Union Army blacksmiths had to shoe nearly 500 new horses and mules daily.



An old timer that traveled many miles of Virginia road with a busy and tireless man—General U. S. Grant. An old timer that traveled many miles of Virginia road with a busy and tireless man—General U. S. Grant.


General Lee had hoped that Virginia's numerous streams and rivers would delay Grant's advance, but Federal engineers with portable pontoon bridges kept the army at Lee's heels. General Lee had hoped that Virginia's numerous streams and rivers would delay Grant's advance, but Federal engineers with portable pontoon bridges kept the army at Lee's heels.



This "cornstalk" bridge over Potomac Creek near Fredericksburg was built by the Military Railroad construction corps from 204,000 feet of standing timber in nine days. This "cornstalk" bridge over Potomac Creek near Fredericksburg was built by the Military Railroad construction corps from 204,000 feet of standing timber in nine days.


In one year (1864-1865) the Federal Military Railroad, with 365 engines and 4,203 cars, delivered over 5 million tons of supplies to the armies in the field. In one year (1864-1865) the Federal Military Railroad, with 365 engines and 4,203 cars, delivered over 5 million tons of supplies to the armies in the field.



Schooners piled high with cartridge boxes lie in the placid waters off Hampton Roads. In 1865 hundreds of Union troops and supplies were moved by ocean transports, chartered at a daily cost of $92,000. Schooners piled high with cartridge boxes lie in the placid waters off Hampton Roads. In 1865 hundreds of Union troops and supplies were moved by ocean transports, chartered at a daily cost of $92,000.


Federal ships crowd the magazine wharf at City Point with equipment and supplies for army wagons from Petersburg. Twenty per cent of the total supply tonnage was transported by water. Federal ships crowd the magazine wharf at City Point with equipment and supplies for army wagons from Petersburg. Twenty per cent of the total supply tonnage was transported by water.



Civil War Small Arms Civil War Small Arms



Civil War Artillery Civil War Artillery


MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE RANGE IN YARDS
12-Pounder Howitzer1,070
6 & 12-Pounder Field Guns1,200
13-Inch Siege Mortar3,520
10-Pounder Parrott Rifle5,000
10-Inch Columbiad Siege Gun5,650
30-Pounder Parrott Rifle8,450
12-Pounder Whitworth Rifle8,800


TYPICAL GUNNER'S TABLE
12-Pounder Field GunPowder Charge 2.5 lbs.
Range (yards)6007008009001,0001,1001,200
Muzzle Elevation1°1°45'2°2°15'2°30'3°3°30'
Fuse Setting (sec.)1.752.502.753.003.254.004.50


A 15-inch Rodman smoothbore, one of the largest guns mounted during the war, stands as a silent sentry guarding the Potomac at Alexandria, Virginia. A 15-inch Rodman smoothbore, one of the largest guns mounted during the war, stands as a silent sentry guarding the Potomac at Alexandria, Virginia.


The Parrott Rifle, recognizable by the wrought iron jacket reinforcing its breech, was one of the first rifled field guns used by the U.S. Army. The Parrott Rifle, recognizable by the wrought iron jacket reinforcing its breech, was one of the first rifled field guns used by the U.S. Army.



Moved by special rail to the Petersburg front, the 13-inch mortar "Dictator" hurled 200-pound exploding shells at the Confederate earthworks over two miles away. Moved by special rail to the Petersburg front, the 13-inch mortar "Dictator" hurled 200-pound exploding shells at the Confederate earthworks over two miles away.


Curious Federal soldiers inspect a Confederate armored gun, the earliest rail artillery on record. This "land ram", designed by Lt. John M. Brooke of the Confederate Navy, was first used at Savage Station, Virginia, in 1862. Curious Federal soldiers inspect a Confederate armored gun, the earliest rail artillery on record. This "land ram", designed by Lt. John M. Brooke of the Confederate Navy, was first used at Savage Station, Virginia, in 1862.



Gabions, open-end baskets filled with earth, proved as effective as masonary in defensive works. Thousands of these baskets were patiently made by hand for use in field and seacoast fortifications. Gabions, open-end baskets filled with earth, proved as effective as masonary in defensive works. Thousands of these baskets were patiently made by hand for use in field and seacoast fortifications.


Confederate sappers constructed a number of artillery emplacements covering the avenues of approach to Atlanta. The guns in this fortification overlook famous Peachtree Street. Confederate sappers constructed a number of artillery emplacements covering the avenues of approach to Atlanta. The guns in this fortification overlook famous Peachtree Street.



Chevaux-de-frise, made of logs pierced by sharp stakes, line the Georgia countryside. Confederate defensive measures such as this were effective in stopping cavalry and preventing surprise frontal attacks by infantry. Chevaux-de-frise, made of logs pierced by sharp stakes, line the Georgia countryside. Confederate defensive measures such as this were effective in stopping cavalry and preventing surprise frontal attacks by infantry.



The Union military telegraph corps strung more than 15,000 miles of wire during the war. In one year, the Northern armies kept the wires alive with nearly 1.8 million messages. Galvanic batteries transported by wagon furnished the electricity. The Union military telegraph corps strung more than 15,000 miles of wire during the war. In one year, the Northern armies kept the wires alive with nearly 1.8 million messages. Galvanic batteries transported by wagon furnished the electricity.


Flag signals from natural elevations and signal towers could be seen as far as 20 miles on a clear day. Military information was often obtained by signalmen on both sides who copied each others flag messages and tapped telegraph lines. Flag signals from natural elevations and signal towers could be seen as far as 20 miles on a clear day. Military information was often obtained by signalmen on both sides who copied each others flag messages and tapped telegraph lines.



Balloon observation on the battlefield was made possible by the portable gas generator. Here Professor T.S.C. Lowe's balloon is inflated by mobile generators in front of Richmond in 1862. Balloon observation on the battlefield was made possible by the portable gas generator. Here Professor T.S.C. Lowe's balloon is inflated by mobile generators in front of Richmond in 1862.


Dodging Confederate shells which whizzed dangerously close to the Intrepid, Professor Lowe telegraphed information on emplacements directly from his balloon and made sketches of the approach routes to Richmond. Dodging Confederate shells which whizzed dangerously close to the Intrepid, Professor Lowe telegraphed information on emplacements directly from his balloon and made sketches of the approach routes to Richmond.



Faulty intelligence furnished by detective Allan Pinkerton (seated in rear) and his agents misled General George McClellan during the Peninsula Campaign. The Pinkerton organization was later replaced by a more efficient military intelligence bureau. Faulty intelligence furnished by detective Allan Pinkerton (seated in rear) and his agents misled General George McClellan during the Peninsula Campaign. The Pinkerton organization was later replaced by a more efficient military intelligence bureau.


A. D. Lytle, a Baton Rouge photographer, provided valuable intelligence to Confederate commanders. His photographs, like this one posed by the 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery, revealed the strength and condition of Union organizations. A. D. Lytle, a Baton Rouge photographer, provided valuable intelligence to Confederate commanders. His photographs, like this one posed by the 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery, revealed the strength and condition of Union organizations.



Artillerymen soften an objective for the infantry. Although field artillery was used extensively, it fcenterened and demoralized more men than it wounded. Only 20 per cent of the battle casualties can be attributed to the artillery. Artillerymen soften an objective for the infantry. Although field artillery was used extensively, it frightened and demoralized more men than it wounded. Only 20 per cent of the battle casualties can be attributed to the artillery.



Assaults on fortified positions were costly, but here at Petersburg war-weary infantrymen await their turn for another charge against the Confederate works. Fourteen out of every hundred would fall. Assaults on fortified positions were costly, but here at Petersburg war-weary infantrymen await their turn for another charge against the Confederate works. Fourteen out of every hundred would fall.



One of an estimated 584,000 Union and Confederate soldiers wounded during the war. Of this number, over 80,000 died. One of an estimated 584,000 Union and Confederate soldiers wounded during the war. Of this number, over 80,000 died.


The Union ambulance corps provided one ambulance for every 150 men during the Wilderness Campaign. In one convoy of 813 ambulances, over 7,000 sick and wounded were transported to the hospital in Fredericksburg. The Union ambulance corps provided one ambulance for every 150 men during the Wilderness Campaign. In one convoy of 813 ambulances, over 7,000 sick and wounded were transported to the hospital in Fredericksburg.



Amputees, like these Union soldiers who survived the surgeon's scalpel, would never forget the traumatic ordeal. Most wounded went through surgery while fully conscious with but a little morphine, when available, to deaden the pain. Amputees, like these Union soldiers who survived the surgeon's scalpel, would never forget the traumatic ordeal. Most wounded went through surgery while fully conscious with but a little morphine, when available, to deaden the pain.



A floating palace with bathrooms and laundry, the hospital ship Red Rover gave many sick and wounded a better chance for life than they would have had in the crowded field hospitals. A floating palace with bathrooms and laundry, the hospital ship Red Rover gave many sick and wounded a better chance for life than they would have had in the crowded field hospitals.


Carver Hospital, where thousands of stricken soldiers recovered. Walt Whitman and Louisa May Alcott nursed many sick and wounded in similar Washington hospitals. Carver Hospital, where thousands of stricken soldiers recovered. Walt Whitman and Louisa May Alcott nursed many sick and wounded in similar Washington hospitals.



The much-publicized Andersonville prison. The declaration by Union authorities that medicine was a contraband of war and their unwillingness to exchange prisoners contributed to the deplorable prison deaths. Prisoners didn't fare better in the North. Camp Douglas, Illinois, had the highest death rate of all Civil war prisons—10 per cent of its prisoners died in one month. The much-publicized Andersonville prison. The declaration by Union authorities that medicine was a contraband of war and their unwillingness to exchange prisoners contributed to the deplorable prison deaths. Prisoners didn't fare better in the North. Camp Douglas, Illinois, had the highest death rate of all Civil war prisons—10 per cent of its prisoners died in one month.



Unknown warriors at Cold Harbor awaited a soldier's burial that never came. Two years later the armies returned to the same field of battle to find those who were forgotten—still waiting. Unknown warriors at Cold Harbor awaited a soldier's burial that never came. Two years later the armies returned to the same field of battle to find those who were forgotten—still waiting.


Boys volunteered for a man's job. This Confederate lad gave his last full measure. Boys volunteered for a man's job. This Confederate lad gave his last full measure.



Extract from the poem "Bivouac of the Dead" by THEODORE O'HARA
The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo; No more on Life's parade shall meet The brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread And Glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead.
—THEODORE O'HARA



Richmond 1865—Gaunt remains cast their shadow over the former Confederate capital. The rampaging fire, started during the evacuation, leveled the waterfront and the business district. Richmond 1865—Gaunt remains cast their shadow over the former Confederate capital. The rampaging fire, started during the evacuation, leveled the waterfront and the business district.
Richmond 1865—Gaunt remains cast their shadow over the former Confederate capital. The rampaging fire, started during the evacuation, leveled the waterfront and the business district.



Charleston, South Carolina, shows the scars of modern warfare. The concept of total war introduced during the 1860's carried destruction beyond the battlefield. Charleston, South Carolina, shows the scars of modern warfare. The concept of total war introduced during the 1860's carried destruction beyond the battlefield.
Charleston, South Carolina, shows the scars of modern warfare. The concept of total war introduced during the 1860's carried destruction beyond the battlefield.



The home of Wilmer McLean at Appomattox. Here the tragic drama closed at 3:45 on Palm Sunday afternoon, April 9, 1865. The home of Wilmer McLean at Appomattox. Here the tragic drama closed at 3:45 on Palm Sunday afternoon, April 9, 1865.