Blog Archives

Newspapers and the Civil War

I wonder how dreadful it must have been for Sam Wilkerson to write his story while sitting next to his dead son. Here was a journalist communicating with the most powerful medium available at the time. He illustrated courage and

Posted in Discussion, Primary Sources

A necessary journey south

Yesterday, I had to take a necessary journey from Michigan to my 95 year old Mom’s home in Richmond , Virginia. I lamented that I was unable to hear yesterday’s lecture and attend yesterday’s on line class. To my great

Posted in Discussion, Primary Sources

Abraham Galloway; Slave, Bricklayer, Fugitive, Abolitionist, Spy,…

…(aka BMI-ster), Guide, Recruiter, Organizer, Political Activist, Firebrand, Military Leader, Crusader for Women’s Rights, Senator… and dead before the age of 34. Now that is a life! Abraham Galloway, born enslaved, freed himself and was an important figure in the Union

Posted in Digital Storytelling, Discussion, Images, Primary Sources

Men in Black

No, not Tommy Lee Jones and Johnny Cash. The Bureau of Military Information, the BMI! I am intrigued by them. Did not know anything about these  sharp (no pun intended) men who were gathering intel long before the CIA made

Posted in Digital Storytelling, Discussion, Primary Sources

Another Father and Son, July 6th, 1863 or; 19 year-old sons

So sad listening again to the Gettysburg story of Sam Wilkeson writing beside the body of his 19 year-old son. Another 19 year-old son wrote to his father that day. Charles Douglass’s letter to his father, Frederick Douglass, reports his

Posted in Digital Storytelling, Discussion, Primary Sources

Valley of the Shadow

The archives on this sight are unbelievable. My favorite part is the animated battlefield. I was amazed at the number of battles some of these units were involved with like the First Virginia Cavalry they must have been in 20

Posted in Discussion, Mapping, Primary Sources

“A strange little document…”

Transcription: This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to so co-operate with the President elect, as to save the Union between the election

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Posted in Discussion, Primary Sources

Teaching the Underground Railroad

When I first started teaching US history six years ago, the questions I always got when I started teaching the Underground railroad were the following: So is the Underground Railroad really a railroad? Why was it all underground? My biggest

Posted in Discussion, Lesson Plans, Primary Sources, Secondary Sources

Soldier’s Letters

Every time I listen to a lecture, attend a conference, find new material and new ways of thinking about the Civil War I have to rethink how I teach it.  I only have two weeks, maybe three at the most

Posted in Discussion, Primary Sources, Word Clouds

Scarlett O’Hara in scrubs…

Confederate Circular asking Southern women to grow poppies for morphine (National Archives) The Faust book is a godsend for my students-they just don’t know it yet. Every year each students pick a Civil War topic to research and every year

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Posted in Discussion, Primary Sources, Secondary Sources
House Divided Project
Contact

Course Professor
Matthew Pinsker: pinskerm@dickinson.edu
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA 17013

Course Producer
Lance Warren: warren@gilderlehrman.org
Gilder Lehrman Institute
New York, NY 10036