The Civil War was a tumultuous time, as a lot of people died, lost their home, their businesses, and, the worst part, their loved ones. Even though this war ended 63 years ago, there are still remnants of it that haunt us today. These American Civil War pictures give us a glimpse of the past.

In history, this is the bloodiest conflict that happened on American soil, when the country was torn into two, the North and South. During this conflict, at least 620,000 people died. However, there is a new study that it was actually around 850,000 due to the fights between the Confederacy and Union troops.

Why Did the Civil War Start?

There are a few reasons why the bloodiest conflict on American soil broke out. It was mentioned that one contributing factor is political ideologies in terms of politics and way of living. This has been an issue for the Southern and Northern people for almost 80 years.

In line with this, there are also conflicts in terms of cultural values, economic policies, practices, and the roles of enslaved people within American society. In spite of these numerous issues, Soldiers also have their own interest in joining the war, and some of these personal reasons do not match the main goal of the government they are fighting for.

However, one key issue that sparked the war was the rights of the states, as the Southern people wanted to maintain authority over the federal government. This would be in their favor in order to remove all of the laws that were not favorable to them or that they didn't support, especially those laws concerning slaves, as the South wanted to keep them and take one whenever they pleased.

There was also the conflict in terms of territorial expansion as the Southerners wanted to take the slaves to Western territories, in contrast to the North's policy to only keep them to white labor.

In terms of power, the new Republican party was gaining dominance due to their advocacy of not agreeing to expand the use of slaves in Western territories, and Southerners saw this as a threat.

Additionally, when former President Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860, it sealed the deal. Plus, there was no single Southern electoral vote. This is a sign that they lost all of their influence and felt isolated. This was the last trigger that brought the country into war. Even though we have not experienced this firsthand, there are a lot of Civil War pictures that were kept or restored so that we can have a glimpse of the past.

Raw Pictures From the Civil War

The invention of photography is the best tool if you want to travel from the past as it provides a detailed interpretation of the way of life, special events, culture, and many more. These remarkable Civil War pictures will help us visit their situation during this conflict.

African-American Union Infantrymen

This is a photo of two Union Army Soldiers aiming at a ruined building in Dutch Gap, Virginia. The Soldier on the left is wearing his forage cap with chinstrap and holds a Springfield rifle-musket with an attached bayonet. The other kneeling Soldier holds a British Enfield rifle musket and has his cap pouch behind his scabbard.

The Dead Confederate Soldier

These pictures from the Civil War show not only the victory and its end result but are also a mirror of its effects. Since the war broke out, there are a lot of lives that were sacrificed, and most of those Soldiers who participated in the war effort did not return home to their loved ones.

Sgt. Smith and His Family

During this time, U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton had declared General Order No. 143 to create the Bureau of U.S. Colored Troops, which was in May 1863. This photo was later identified as Sgt. Samuel Smith was with his wife, Mollie, and two daughters, Maggie and Mary.

Ulysses S. Grant

One of the striking Civil War pictures is this one with Ulysses S. Grant, who was the commanding general in 1865. With his wit and bravery, he led the Union Armies to victory, defeating the Confederate Soldiers. He was also elected as the 18th President of the United States, reconstructing Congress and removing the vestiges of slavery.

Camp of 31st

This photo was taken in the Camp of the 31st Infantry in Pennsylvania near Washington. A unique depiction of what it is like in the headquarters; in this picture from the Civil War, there is a woman with her sleeves rolled up, holding a basket, and posing in front of a tent. Beside her was believed his husband and their three children, with other Soldiers in the background.

Capt. George A. Custer

This photo depicts Captain George A. Custer, who was a part of the 5th Cavalry in the Union Army with a Confederate prisoner. The Confederate prisoner in the photo was identified as Lt. James B. Washington. Interestingly, it was confirmed that Washington was a former classmate of Custer.

Soldiers Along Rappahannock River

One of the most powerful Civil War photos depicts a row of Union Soldiers along the west bank of the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The photo depicts Union Soldiers who were preparing to take part in the Battle of Chancellorsville, which is considered to be Gen. Robert E. Lee's greatest military victory.

These Civil War pictures act as a reminder of what our great heroes did to make a reformed and better nation that we enjoy today. Let us not also forget those Soldiers who lost their lives during this battle, and may we continue to honor their lives and sacrifices as we move forward as a nation.

Related reads:

• When Did the Last American Civil War Veteran Die?
• Civil War Movie (2024) Blends Dystopian Action With Current Events
• Andersonville Was the Largest, Deadliest Civil War POW Prison

Sources:

• Civil War (American)
• See the American Civil War in Color Photographs
• Colorized Civil War Photos That Bring America’s Deadliest Conflict To Life
• The Civil War
• Causes Of The Civil War
• African-American_Union_Army_infantrymen._Restored,_retouched_and_colourised.jpg
• Dead Confederate Soldier
• Sgt._Samuel_Smith,_African_American_soldier_in_Union_uniform_with_wife_and_two_daughters.jpg
• U.S. Grant
• Infantry Near Washington

*Photos sourced from the National Archives & the Library of Congress