Series: African American History at Gettysburg

Abraham Brian, Basil Biggs, James Warfield, and Mag Palm are just a few of the many individuals that were affected by the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg, and each has their own story to tell. We have collected their stories in one place so that you can learn more about their various trials during this tumultuous time in American history.

  • Article 1: Battle of the Bulge Burials in Gettysburg National Cemetery

    snow covers a line of headstones, each marked with a wreath.

    One out of every ten American casualties fell during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945, amounting to over 100,000 Americans killed, wounded, or missing. While the dead were initially interred overseas, many were brought home after the war at the request of their family members. Some of them were interred in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Read more

  • Article 2: Death and Dying

    Photo of freshly buried marked and unmarked graves near Petersburg, Va.

    The somber aftermath of Civil War battles introduced Americans--North and South--to death on an unprecedented scale and of an unnatural kind, often ending in an unmarked grave far from home. Neither individuals, nor institutions, nor governments were prepared to deal with death on such a massive scale, for never before or since have we killed so many of our own. The Civil War revolutionized the American military's approach to caring for the dead, leading to our modern cult Read more

  • Article 3: 7/4- Seven Stories for the Ages

    A sketch of Stephen Foster appears on a postage stamp.

    There are certain dates that people circle on their calendar. Year to year, these dates may change for some, with the incidental importance one day may hold to the next. Vacations, doctor’s appointments, dates, family reunions, etc. are all important. They affect us all differently, at varied stages of our lives. One date, however, on the calendar of most Americans, is generally highlighted. The fourth day of July is significant for all of us. Read more