Turning Points
in Wisconsin History
The Civil War Home Front
The Civil War had a profound effect on nearly all aspects of life in Wisconsin. All residents, regardless of whether they became a part of the Union effort, felt the repercussions of war. After the financial shock of early 1861 resulting from the secession of the Southern states, the Civil War brought economic prosperity to Wisconsin. The war helped to consolidate transportation and industrial activity by increasing the volume of eastward-moving trade, especially when the closing of the lower Mississippi River restricted access to New Orleans. Railroads were overwhelmed with business, sending transportation costs through the roof. With the departure... more...
Original Documents and Other Primary Sources
 | Women try to raise funds to improve soldiers' medical conditions, 1863. |
| Ozaukee County residents riot to resist the Civil War draft in 1862 |
| More than 200 Wis. newspaper stories about the war |
| Henry Dodge brought his slaves to Wisconsin |
| A Waukesha editor recalls the underground railroad |
| An Immigrant Who Became a Northwoods Missionary |
| Girlhood and motherhood on the Wisconsin frontier, 1824-1860. |
 | Wisconsin women tell their stories of life on the Civil War home front. |
| Roster of Wisconsin Civil War Soldiers, vol. I |
| A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 1) |
| A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 2) |
 | Civil War Recruitment Broadside, 1861 |
| Photograph of attorney Byron Paine, ca. 1860 |
 | Emilie Quiner's diary of Wisconsin during the Civil War, 1861-1863 |
| Daily life for a working class woman in Onalaska, 1864 |
| Ma Ingalls describes family life in 1861 |
| Letters by relatives of Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1861-1919 |
| A Rock Co. soldier writes home, 1862-1865 |
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