The mid-1800s were a tumultuous time in our nation’ s history, with the conflict erupting in war in 1861. Over 600,000 people perished by the time the Civil War had ended— substantially more than any other conflict in our nation’ s history. It was a war of young men and boys, with the average age of the Union soldier just 25, and the Confederate soldier, 18. The drummers and flag bearers were even younger, with boys as young as 12 years old, carrying their flag into battle. Sadly, they were sometimes the first ones killed by both sides, in an attempt to demoralize the enemy.
President Lincoln had already lost two sons, Edward, age 3, and Willie, age 11, before the conflict had even started. He was painfully aware of the commission he had given, requiring families to sacrifice their sons for the cause of saving the Union and abolishing slavery.
Lincoln, who was a Republican, performed a delicate political dance to keep his party united behind the passing of the 13th amendment, with infighting threatening the bill at every turn. Ultimately it passed on Jan. 31, 1865, with a margin of only two votes.
The Civil War Room at Carnegie Library has hundreds of historical artifacts that were largely donated by the soldiers themselves and their family members. Beyond the artifacts, the exhibits also have the story behind each item and who they belonged to, which brings the past to life through their eyes.
The room was originally a post of the Grand Army of the Republic( GAR), where Civil War veterans gathered to share their stories and memorabilia of the bloody war. They were understandably proud of their role in history and wanted to preserve it. There were, at one time, 30 of these posts in Allegheny County, with many hundreds more throughout the nation.
The Capt. Thomas Espy Post No. 153 at the library is perhaps the best preserved GAR post in the entire country. It has been restored, preserving original furniture and fixtures wherever possible and renovating with period furnishings as necessary.
Some of the post’ s items include drums carried into battle, uniforms worn in battle, swords used in actual combat, rifles and other weaponry, and bullets that proved fatal— and the stories behind them. There is also a plethora of documents, photos, post records, and other interesting historical memorabilia.
The Civil War Room at the Carnegie Library is open by appointment through the week, and Saturdays from 11 a. m. to 3 p. m., with knowledgeable docents to guide you. Presentations are also given by historians as part of the 2nd Saturday Civil War Lecture Series. There are other events throughout the year as well.
The Lincoln Gallery adjacent to the Civil War Room has 100 photos of our 16th president, documenting his appearance over time— from a young statesman to just days before his assassination.
Everyone is familiar with Lincoln’ s iconic Gettysburg Address. But there is another speech he gave that is no less remarkable. At the time of Lincoln’ s second inaugural address, the war was ending, and he was faced with the challenge of uniting the nation once again.
In this speech, given just 41 days before his assassination, Lincoln said,“ With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation’ s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan— to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
As we look forward to celebrating our nation’ s 250th birthday next year, it’ s important to remember the challenges we have already overcome.
For more information on the Civil War Room and the Lincoln Gallery, visit carnegiecarnegie. org / civil-war-room. n
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