This is a look at the names, people and stories behind the photographs of black Americans who fought for the Union. Ron Coddington -- author of the book “African American Faces of the Civil War” – details their contributions to the war effort.  The New York Public Library hosted this discussion.

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A panel of scholars talks about the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who served in the U.S. Colored Troops. This discussion also includes a look at the role abolitionist Frederick Douglass played in the recruitment of black soldiers, and their eventual acceptance into the Union Army by President Lincoln and his generals. The New-York Historical Society hosted this event.

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Walter Stahr discusses William Henry Seward, who was Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State and closest adviser during the Civil War despite previously being Lincoln’s rival for the presidency. Mr. Stahr is the author of “Seward: Lincoln’s Indispensable Man.” This talk took place at the Kansas City Public Library in Missouri.

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Historian and author Craig Symonds talks about the various naval aspects of the war – from technological developments, to the battles themselves; from the Union blockade, to the rivers of the Western Theater. Symonds is history professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval Academy, and the author of “The Civil War at Sea.” He presented this talk at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center, on the National Mall.

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Two scholars at the American Enterprise Institute discuss Steven Spielberg’s film “Lincoln.” They also talk about the former president’s Gettysburg Address and answer questions from students.

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Historians Craig Symonds, James McPherson and Harold Holzer discuss the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The three-day battle fought in Pennsylvania from July 1st through 3rd, 1863, was the bloodiest of the war, resulting in an estimated 51 thousand total casualties. This is the first in a two-part series on the battle, hosted by the New-York Historical Society.

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Historians consider several developments in naval technology over the course of the war. They discuss ironclad gunboats, Confederate efforts to break the Union Blockade, and spar torpedo boats. This event was part of a symposium on Technology and the Civil War hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

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Historians consider the developments in battlefield and command communications over the course of the war. They discuss the portable printing press and the telegraph, and explain how these devices were used by Union and Confederate leadership. This event was part of a symposium on Technology and the Civil War hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

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Historians and professors discuss developments in weaponry and tactics that played an instrumental role in the fighting between Union and Confederate forces. This event was part of a symposium on Technology and the Civil War hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

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Author William Styple discusses Gen. George McClellan’s working relationship with staff officer, Col. Thomas Key. Styple says Col. Key exercised unique influence over McClellan, often to a detrimental effect. The Library of the Chathams in Chatham, New Jersey hosts this talk.

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