Introduction
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
By the mid 1800s, there were really two different United States of Americas. One was in the South and the other was in the North. Differences such as agriculture vs. industry and slavery vs. abolition tore apart the regions. A Civil War between the North and the South seemed unavoidable. Soon they were at war with each other. No war ever fought has cost as many American lives as the Civil War. And no war changed the country more.
Nation at War: Soldiers, Saints, and Spies tells the story of how the Civil War began and details the many personalities—both from the North and the South—who contributed to this bloody conflict between the states. Meet the generals who led armies into battle as well soldiers who bravely fought for their causes. Discover how women and children played a role in the war as spies, messengers, and musicians. Explore the history of battles through the photographers and writers who captured the events. And see how animal mascots made the horrors of war bearable.