The Northern Experience
The North encompassed the Union army and all that it and its supporters believed in. Despite being driven by the need to keep the Union together and stop secession at first, the North eventually rallied against the perpetuation of slavery. As seen below, the cruelties of slavery were inhumane and prompted whites and blacks alike to join in the righteous cause of the Union army. The Union army, and the North itself, had quite an advantage. The Union army's population was much larger than the Confederates and was only enlarged by the influx of colored soldiers. Innovation also played to the advantage of the North and Union army. From hydrogen gas gallons being used as ariel reconnaissance to even better and faster ironclads, the inventive mindset of the North made it a tough opponent for the South. The North's Union army is famous for blundering General appointments, but Generals such as Grant and Sherman were critical to the success of the the North. Ultimately the Northern experience is not complete without President Abraham Lincoln. A masterful strategist and leader, Lincoln brought the Union cause back to the light every time it was threatened by or smothered with Southern darkness. The Northern Experience is a story of so much more than just triumph and the pictures below help tell its story.
ID: National Archives 111-SC-101021.
Date: 1856 Description: John Brown, a martyr upon his death, took drastic steps to reveal and undo the tragedies of slavery. His efforts inspired the North and were important parts of the story leading to civil war. |
ID: Theatlantic.com(#8)
Date: 1863 Description: Peter is the name of the slave photographed and his scars are the result of his white overseer. Though maintaning the union was initially the primary reason for fighting, freeing slaves such as Peter became the primary reason for fighting. Peter eventually joined the Union army. |
ID: Theatlantic.com(#7)
Date: March, 1863 Description: The USS Essex, a 1000 ton ironclad river gunboat, participated in the capture of Baton Rouge and Fort Hudson. |
Photographer: Mathew B. Brady. Theatlantic.com(#11)
Description: The inflation of the Intrepid, a hydrogen gas balloon used for ariel reconnaissance. An example of the innovation of the union and the advantage it had against its opponents. |
ID: National Archives 111-B-36.
Date: June, 1864 Description: Lieutenant General Ulysses Grant, The Butcher, leaning against a tree. |
ID: Theatlantic.com(#3)
Date: August, 1864 Description: The U.S. Engineer battalion, near Petersburg, Virginia. This photograph shows that the soldiers were ordinary men, especially the young man on the far right. |
ID: Theatlantic.com(#32)
Date: 1864 Description: A Black union soldiers sits in front of a sign that reads "Auction & Negro Sales". It is ironic that he is essentially fighting against the ideologies of the sign he is sitting in front of. |
Photographer: Matthew Brady Theatlantic.com(#13)
Description: General William Tecumseh Sherman, one of the few Union West Point Generals, successfully captured Atlanta, which was critical to President Lincoln's reelection. |
ID: Theatlantic.com(#21)
Date: November 19, 1863 Description: President Abraham Lincoln (Center, Hatless) at his famous Gettysburg Address. |
ID: Theantlantic.com(#47)
Date: July 7, 1865 Description: Four conspirators believed to have played a part in the Lincoln assassination hang dead. |