Civil War Minutes: Part II (Full Frame)
Starring Civil War historian Michael Kraus, the Military Coordinator for the film "Gettysburg" and the Northern Commander of many of the 125th Anniversary reenactments. Experience the Civil War in several 4-8 minute segments featuring never before seen photographs, artifacts and hundreds of rare paintings and engravings. See a drum from the battle of Gettysburg with a hidden note inside. Learn about the lives of the soldiers through their handwritten letters home and find out what life was like from the perspective of the average foot soldier. "Field and Staff Sword" A detailed look at one piece of equipment that all Civil War officers were required to carry. the sword played a vital role in an officer's ability to command his troops, giving him the power to direct an entire regiment with a single motion of his arm. "Letter from William Hennon" A handwritten letter from William Hennon, April 1865. He writes to his sister and states that there will be no more fighting since the war was reaching its conclusion and highlights the fact that Lincoln's assassination played a large role in the war's resolution. "Civil War Canteens" Several canteens used by both sides during the war and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Learn the progression of canteen technology and how soldiers would carry their canteens and personalize them. "Report of Samuel Weaver" The report of Samuel Weaver, Superintendent of Exhuming of the Bodies from the battlefields of Gettysburg. Weaver describes the care taken while moving the bodies of the Union soldiers from their temporary graves to the Gettysburg National Cemetery and notes the methods used to distinguish Federal from Confederate soldiers. "Officers of the Civil War" A breakdown of the responsibilities of the various Civil War officers and positions ranging from major General to Lieutenant using the example of the 9th Army Corps. These were the men responsible fro overseeing the operations of the armies on a day to day basis.

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