Eyewitness to the 1865 Grand Review
Life on the Civil War Research Trail
•
8m 48s
On May 23-24, 1865, about 150,000 boys in blue—90,000 from the east and 60,000 from the west, marched through Washington, D.C., to celebrate victory over Confederate forces. More than 200,000 spectators watched the Grand Review. One of them was Walt Whitman. Here's his recollection.
Up Next in Life on the Civil War Research Trail
-
Two Grandsons at Cold Harbor
The Bayles boys, Edward and Albert, joined the 139th New York Infantry in 1862. They left behind a little brother and extended family, as their parents had died before the war. Letters left behind tell the story of their service, and their shared experience at Cold Harbor in 1864.
-
Reports of the Confederate Flag Flyin...
After four years of all-consuming war, Americans entered into a new and uncertain period of Reconstruction. Early in the transition, in 1866, reports of the Confederate flag flying in different parts of the country set off alarm bells. Here's the story.
-
"Nothing Could Retard Our Progress Wh...
Letters home by Thomas D. Brisley of the 6th Maine Infantry follow a familiar pattern. They start with hope and excitement and become more skeptical as the Civil War dragged on. A sampling of Brisley's letters reveals the many challenges such soldiers faced.
