1861-1865

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the firing of the first shot of the American Civil War. 150 years ago we began what, at the time, was thought to be a quick skirmish to bring those rebellious Southern boys into line. The first battle (known as Bull Run in the North and Manassas in the South) was attended as a spectator event by some of the wealthy residents of Washington, D.C. The U.S. Army of the Potomac's ignominious defeat did much to discourage future battlefield picnics.

Since that first shot was fired at Fort Sumter in South Carolina, hundreds of thousands of Americans died fighting to preserve or destroy the "Southern Way of Life." Thousands of books have been written on hundreds of different viewpoints. Myths have been created and debunked.
The Civil War and the years following it shaped this country more than any other event in its history. For better and for worse.