Martin Byrne arrived in Washington on August 6, 1861 and found a city locked down by mounted police, drilling soldiers, and the weight of a war gone badly wrong. He wrote home to say his health had never been better — and that he'd gained twenty pounds since leaving Carbondale. Read the letter.
A soldier from Carbondale, PA spent a night in the very hallway where Colonel Elmer Ellsworth had been shot dead days earlier - the floor still stained with his blood. Then he shipped out to fight Confederate artillery on the Potomac River. He wrote home to describe all of it. Read the full letter.
Experience a Pennsylvania soldier’s unique 1862 Christmas in Washington, D.C., as he shares festive camp celebrations alongside news of the Fredericksburg disaster. From decorated tents to races and somber reflections, this letter captures a wartime holiday like no other. Discover a vivid piece of Civil War history. Read the full story.
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 caustic letter by a Schuylkill County native in Seattle complained of mask requirement in the city. But their letter missed the mark.
Frank Israel left his home in Pennsylvania and didn't look back for 15 years. While he was away, he traveled the world.
The officers of the 96th Pennsylvania allegedly toasted George Washington's birthday during a raucous party in February 1862.
Discover a lengthly Civil War letter from Captain Charles D. Hipple of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry. Gain unique insights into Union soldiers' patriotism, camp life in Washington D.C., and their unwavering resolve in 1861. Explore this primary source for a vivid historical perspective. Read the full story.
The 96th Pennsylvania left Pottsville for the Union capital in November 1861 amid the cheers of their fellow citizens.