Go back

Mr. Lincoln’s Butcher: General Ulysses S. Grant

Mr. Lincoln’s Butcher: General Ulysses S. Grant

Episode number: 1

Overview: Lincoln picks Ulysses S. Grant, a general who believes in winning at any cost, to command the Union Army.

Freedom’s Road: Slavery and the Opposition

Freedom’s Road: Slavery and the Opposition

Episode number: 2

Overview: In Philadelphia in 1776, a bargain was struck to allow slavery in the new United States—a deal that would lead to disaster, and help spark the Civil War between North and South almost a century later.

Divided Houses: Families Split by War

Divided Houses: Families Split by War

Episode number: 3

Overview: Families are divided and bonds broken forever as people are forced to chose between the Union and the newly created Confederate states.

Picture Perfect: The Pomp & Vision of Matthew Brady

Picture Perfect: The Pomp & Vision of Matthew Brady

Episode number: 4

Overview: Explore how photographer Mathew Brady's work brought the horrors of war to American's doorsteps for the first time.

Bloodiest Day: Antietam

Bloodiest Day: Antietam

Episode number: 5

Overview: Fought on September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam produced over 23,000 Union and Confederate casualties, making it the bloodiest single day in American history.

Born Killers: The Iron Brigade

Born Killers: The Iron Brigade

Episode number: 6

Overview: The story of one of the Union's most famous units. Mustered in the Midwest, they served with enormous distinction while suffering heavy losses.

Trains at War

Trains at War

Episode number: 7

Overview: Trains...both sides needed them, but it was the Union who had the know-how and equipment to make use of this invaluable tool.

The Boy Generals

The Boy Generals

Episode number: 8

Overview: The remarkable tales of the very young men who rose to high rank in the war, including Galusha Pennypacker, Adelbert Ames, and Micah Jenkins.

Dan Sickles: The General Who Got Away With Murder

Dan Sickles: The General Who Got Away With Murder

Episode number: 9

Overview: The Union general who, before the war, became the first defendant in a murder trial to be acquitted on a plea of temporary insanity. Sickles killed a man he accused of having an affair with his wife.

First Ladies: North and South

First Ladies: North and South

Episode number: 10

Overview: Mary Todd Lincoln and Varina Davis were two women from rival governments, but they led parallel lives, struggling against criticism, personal tragedies, and an agonizing war.

Yanks vs Rebs: The Foot Soldiers Life

Yanks vs Rebs: The Foot Soldiers Life

Episode number: 11

Overview: How the average soldier coped with life on and off the battlefield, including drinking and gambling, music, and even a new game called baseball.

Honor the Dead: Unsung Heroes of Gettysburg

Honor the Dead: Unsung Heroes of Gettysburg

Episode number: 12

Overview: Engaged in the bloodiest fighting of the Civil War, nearly 30,000 soldiers are killed in three days of fighting at Gettysburg. Many of these brave souls are forgotten as they fall.

Immigrants and the American Civil War

Immigrants and the American Civil War

Episode number: 13

Overview: One in five soldiers who fought in the war had been born in another country and would fight on both sides. But they were not always welcome.

Preserving the Past

Preserving the Past

Episode number: 14

Overview: A look at individual and organizational efforts to preserve our precious national monuments, including Gettysburg cemetery, at risk of being spoiled by encroachment of commercial interest.

Gettysburg: Victory at All Costs

Gettysburg: Victory at All Costs

Episode number: 15

Overview: This is the total story--from Little Round Top to Devil's Den to Pickett's Charge to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and dedication of the national cemetery.