The Last Living Civil War Widow

In 1934, 19 year old Mandie Acklin married Civil War Veteran William Cantrell, who was 86 years old.  When Cantrell passed away three years later,  Mandie became known as the last living Civil War widow. She died in 2008 at the age of 93. 

Civil War Navy

The USS Monitor was a single turret naval vessel that was launched during the Civil War and saw battle until it was lost at sea on December 31, 1862. Over the years, several other monitors were added to the fleet and joined in the war.

It should be noted that the word 'monitor', while reflecting the name of the Navy's original vessel, became a reference term for all shallow-draft type vessels. The US Monitor Onondaga, a double turreted vessel, is pictured in 1864 near Aikens Landing, Virginia along the James River.

Harpers Ferry, WV 1862

The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers come together in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where the railroad bridge is pictured in ruins after the Battle of Harpers Ferry in September 1862.

John Brown's Fort

In 1859, John Brown led his provisional army into Harpers Ferry, Virginia (modern day West Virginia),  and attempted to arm a slavery uprising by raiding the local armory. The raid failed and Brown would eventually be tried and hanged as a result. The armory pictured above in 1855, would become known as John Brown's Fort.

Old Nashville

Photograph of Nashville Wharf by Calvert Brothers shortly after the Civil War.