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North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction

Primary sources and readings explore North Carolina during the Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1876). Topics include debates over secession, battles and strategies, the war in North Carolina, the soldier's experience, the home front, freedom and civil rights for former slaves, Reconstruction, and the "redemption" of the state by conservatives.

Format: book (multiple pages)

A UNC student asks to sign up

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 1.6

Letter from Edward Hall Armstrong to his father in April 1861, asking permission to volunteer for the Confederate army. Includes historical commentary.

Format: letter

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

North Carolina secedes

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 1.7

Ordinance of secession passed by a convention of delegates from North Carolina counties on May 20, 1861. Includes historical commentary.

Format: legislation

Fort Sumter

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 1.3

The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Federal troops refused to leave the fort after South Carolina seceded, and South Carolina's forces fired on the fort on the morning of April 12, 1861.

Format: article

Fort Sumter from the Battery

A view of the battle of Fort Sumter from the Charleston Battery. The caption reads, "The civil war in America: Attack by the Federal ironclads on the harbour defences of Charleston, three p.m. of the 7th of April."

Format: image/illustration

The bombardment of Fort Sumter

Format: image/illustration

The Raleigh Standard protests conscription

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 4.2

Newspaper editorial protesting the expansion of conscription by the Confederate government in January 1864. Includes historical commentary and background on conscription in the Civil War.

Format: newspaper

Commentary and sidebar notes by David Walbert.

The Union blockade

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 2.5

At the beginning of the U.S. Civil War, Union forces blockaded Confederate ports to stop exports of cotton and imports of war supplies.

Format: article

Timeline of the Civil War, January–June 1861

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 1.1

Timeline of secession and the beginning of the Civil War.

Format: timeline

Secession and civil war

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 1.2

After Abraham Lincoln's election to the presidency in 1860, seven southern states seceded from the United States. Four more followed after South Carolina troops fired on Fort Sumter in April 1861 and Lincoln called for troops to put down the rebellion.

Format: article

Zebulon Vance

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 6.2

Biography of Zebulon Vance, who served as North Carolina's governor during most of the Civil War.

Format: article

Fort Sumter before the first shot

An image of Fort Sumter before the 12-13 April 1861 battle from the direction of Fort Johnson.

Format: image/illustration

Fort Sumter cannon, 1861

Diagram of Fort Sumter indicating location of and types of cannon during the April 12-13, 1861 opening battle of the Civil War.

Format: image/diagram

Telegram announcing the surrender of Fort Sumter

Telegram was sent by Major Robert Anderson at 10:30am, April 18, 1861, announcing the surrender of Forst Sumter to confederate General Beauregard. S.S.BALTIC.OFF SANDY HOOK APR.EIGHTEENTH.TEN THIRTY A.M. .VIA NEW YORK. . HON.S.CAMERON. SECY.WAR....

Format: image/letter

Resources on the web

Lincoln goes to war

This lesson explores the decision-making process that precipitated the Civil War, focusing on deliberations within the Lincoln administration that led to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities