Old Abe, Wisconsin war eagle. WHI 7533

Stories

Selected Stories from the Collection

With disarming candor, Wisconsin soldiers wrote about the Civil War — their encounters with the enemy, camp life, politics, and personal reflections; coping with death, destruction, and the hard hand of combat.

Through original letters, diaries, and other eyewitness accounts, we learn what the men in the field were experiencing and feeling during the war.

To browse stories, start with the topics shown at left. Each story is an excerpt from an original document. To read the full document, click on the "View the full document" link at the bottom of the story's page. To pinpoint original documents about specific people, places, or events, use the Search page.

Featured Stories

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How an Indian Chief Captured the Eagle that Became "Old Abe"
- March 1861

Antigo Soldier Describes Captivity in a Rebel Prison
- September 23, 1864

Confederate Guerillas Butcher Wisconsin Soldiers in Kansas
- September 6, 1863

A Lieutenant Colonel Describes Discharging his Troops at War's End
- June 5, 1865

Army Chaplain Performs Crucial Services
- November 9, 1864