The Gazette: Episode 5 – Farewell Letter

We explore the story of Pittston's volunteer aid association, refugees from southern states, and an epic rant written by a Wyoming Valley minister.

The Gazette: Episode 4 – Camp Slifer

In this short episode of "The Gazette," we follow the Luzerne County soldiers in the 8th Pennsylvania Infantry to their camp near Chambersburg.

The Gazette: Episode 3 – Excelsior on the March

In Episode 3 of "The Gazette," explore letters from new recruits in the US Army, flag-waving in Pittston, and the state of war in May 1861.

The Gazette: Episode 2 – Military on the March

Pittston's young men mobilized for action one week after the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861.

The Gazette: Episode 1 – The War Begins

Pittston responds to the astonishing news that Southern militia forces fired upon a Federal garrison in April 1861. The Civil War had begun.

When Schuylkill County soldiers raced to defend the Capitol in April 1861… and unfortunate modern parallels

In April 1861, soldiers from Pennsylvania's Coal Region raced to defend the US Capitol. 160 years later, some of those scenes repeated themselves.

A Pottsville minister’s letter to President-elect Abraham Lincoln – January 1861

Samuel F. Colt served as the minister at Pottsville's Second Presbyterian Church when he wrote his letter on behalf of Senator Simon Cameron.

Four Christmases – Holiday excerpts from Henry Keiser’s Civil War diary

Four diary entries from the Civil War document the evolution of holiday experiences of a soldier from Pennsylvania's Coal Region.