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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Explore Laurel's Role in the war that engulfed the nation.

Open through December 2013

Check Us Out in the Press:

Great Article in the Laurel Leader about our opening.

Interested in learning more?

Check out these resources:

General Resources on the Civil War:

Library of Congress-

Selected Civil War Photographs

Teaching History: Causing the Civil War

National Park Service: The Civil War

Gettysburg College- Civil War Era Studies

Washington Post- Civil War 150

Visualizing Emancipation

Civil War Medicine: 37 Pieces of History

Harper's Weekly

Maryland Specific Resources:

Enoch Pratt Library-

Witness to History: The Civil War in Maryland

Maryland in the Civil War: African American Participation

Maryland in the Civil War: Biographies and Person Narratives

Maryland in the Civil War: Maryland Regiments

University of Maryland- American Civil War: Resources in Special Collections

Maryland State Archives: The Legacy of Slavery in Maryland

Prince George's County Resources:

Battle Lines: Prince George's County In the Civil War

Prince George's County: Civil War Info

Prince George's County 1864 Draftees

Laurel Resources:

Snowdens in the Civil War

Civil War Vet and Slave Unveiled at South Laurel Church

African Americans from Laurel were among those drafted in the Civil War. Images showing Laurel area residents John Williams and Henry American drafted

After the War Newspaper clip reporting Mills Opening:

Political meetings Johnson Clubs in Laurel

Immediately after the war, the question of how Reconstruction was structured showed sharp divisions between the Northern Republican effort to support black rights, and then President Johnson’s approach. Within six weeks of taking office, Johnson had offered proclamations of general amnesty for most former Confederates, and his initially stricter plans for high-ranking government and military officers quickly dissolved. Johnson also vetoed legislation that extended civil rights and financial support for the former slaves. The Congressional Elections of 1866 would determine the future course of Reconstruction. Johnson sought to secure Republican defeat and victory for himself. One was to try to in to form a working coalition of Conservative Republicans and northern Democrats that would back candidates favorable to his Reconstruction policy and serve as a step toward the establishment of a new political party. To this end he arranged for the organization of "Johnson Clubs" throughout the North and the border states, and for the meeting of delegates from all of the northern and southern states in the National Union Convention in Philadelphia on 14–16 August. The Johnson Clubs tended to be dominated by Democrats, and many of the participants in the National Union Convention were prominent Copperheads and Confederates. Consequently, most Republicans regarded both moves as merely devices to trick them into voting for Democrats, and instead of gaining support, Johnson lost it. Republications increased their majority in the 1866 elections.

109th New York

Roster of the 109th New York (searchable – shows soldiers who died in Laurel, were discharged from Laurel, and deserted from Laurel.)

Reed Train Death (excerpt from Rooster, death from falling from train)

Older Aunt Becky (photo from local paper)

History of 109th/Angelfire

NY State Military Museum: 109th New York: http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/109thInf/109thInfMain.htm

Letter from Edward Carter Bingham from Laurel Hospital. Courtesy of Broome County Historical Society.

131st NY

New York 131st: http://www.civilwarintheeast.com/USA/NY/NY131.php

141st NY. Suggest using Ken’s transcript of Thomas Beecher’s column on getting comfortable in a tent: i.e. Thomas Beecher Experiments with a Tent Could scan and Post all of Beechers Columns (you have I believe)

Also: need to give you brief bio of Beecher.

History of 141st (New York Military Museum: http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/141stInf/141stInfMain.htm

Map of Laurel Station. Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Photo of Capt. Frederick Munther (who created the map) with General Ulysses S. Grant and Others. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/usnationalarchives/3996033380/

Interesting Related Exhibits:

Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area

National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Pictures of the Current Exhibit: