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The Civil War
The Sullivan Ballou Letter
On July 14, 1861, Major Sullivan Ballou of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers wrote to his wife, Sarah, in case he did not survive the coming battle. Hear a letter torn between love for his family and duty to his country: "Sarah, do not mourn me dead." One week later, Ballou was killed at the First Battle of Bull Run. From Ken Burns's The Civil War.
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2:14:38
Richmond falls to Grant's army, Lee surrenders, Lincoln is assassinated, and the war ends.
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2:18:35
While causalities mount, Lincoln’s re-election chances dim.
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2:34:49
Follow the Battle of Gettysburg, draft riots, and the first African-American troops.
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2:21:25
Lincoln’s war to preserve the Union transforms to a war to emancipate the slaves.
1:40:58
Find out what caused the war, examining slavery and questions of union and states’ rights.