An Overview of the American Civil War Through Primary Sources

In April 1861, Abraham Lincoln’s prophetic words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” came true when Confederate soldiers attacked Fort Sumter, beginning the American Civil War. The war pitted North against South, brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor. The issue of slavery had torn the nation apart. War would be required to put it back together. Author Carin T. Ford uses vivid primary sources to tell the story of the war that reunited the Union and ended slavery forever.