Coverage in relation to the Civil War is both informative and eclectic. In-depth articles discuss trade with foreign countries and looks at how their governments viewed the United States in light of the Civil War. There’s information on specific industries of the time, such as the oyster trade in New York. Slavery is an important topic, and countless editorials discuss pre- and post-war attitudes from both sides, as well as troop movements during the war.

There’s coverage of the Copperheads, Northerners sympathetic to the South, who advocated the violent overthrow of the governments of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri in 1864. Events occurring in other states, such as Texas, are included. There’s analysis of the transcontinental railroad and its effect on the region, and page after page of general news articles from around the world (including the humorous in-depth description of a 7-foot-long, 3.5-ton piece of cheese on display at the Toronto Agricultural Fair in 1866). Letters from correspondents traveling with the troops describe their daily activities in detail. One issue is titled “Abraham Lincoln Death,” with the type in bold black.

The file is currently available as a one-time purchase of perpetual rights or through annual subscription on the Accessible Archives platform. Early in 2024, it will be moved to the History Commons platform.

• Part I: A Newspaper Perspective

• Part II: The Soldiers’ Perspective

• Part III: The Generals’ Perspective

• Part IV: A Midwestern Perspective

• Part V: Iowa’s Perspective

• Part VI: Northeast Regimental Histories

• Part VII: Abraham Lincoln Library Abolitionist Books