An elderly woman, surrounded by soldiers. surveys the destruction around her. Courtesy: National Archives Who is better suited to tell history than the people who experienced it? Read the stories ...

Spotlight on a letter from a young Union soldier interested in a commission with an African American regiment and a tintype of a young master and his slave, Silas Chandler, who fought together in ...

French (other than the Imperial Guard ) — these forces are under the control of Napoleon. Imperial Guard — these are the best French forces on the battlefield and are under the direct control of ...