Civil War

The Horror of an Alexandria Slave Pen

The sad truth is that slave pens existed in and around all of Washington. This photo shows one of those in Alexandria during the 1860s. We dug these up at the Library of Congress. Source: Library...
Alexandria, Va. Steam frigate Pensacola. Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

Civil War Steam Frigate Near Alexandria

These old Civil War photos of Alexandria are amazing. This one shows the steam frigate Pensacola in 1861, the beginning of the war. Click on it for some incredible details. Source: Library of Congress We also...
Old State Department Building, corner 15 Street and Pennsylvania Avenue - photo taken during the Civil War

Photo of the State Department During the Civil War

We posted a great old photo of the old State Department Building earlier. Here’s another, similar angle photo of the building, but much clearer. Click on it for some amazing details. Does anyone know why there...
1861 Civil War map of Virginia

Civil War Reconnaissance Map of Arlington

Here is an old Civil War map of Arlington. This map was for reconnaissance, done by Benjamin Church. The orientation is a little different with north being down and to the right. Click on it for...
Washington, D.C. Georgetown ferry-boat carrying wagons, and Aqueduct Bridge beyond, from rocks on Mason's Island (Library of Congress)

Civil War Photo of Georgetown Ferry Boat

Wow. What amazing detail in this photograph. Click on it to view the larger version (and you’ll probably spend about 15 minutes staring at it).
Get Ghosts of DC by emailYou don't want to miss our best stuff in your inbox!

We'll send you our newest content as soon as it publishes. And, we'll throw in some of the best old content from the last eight years. We have nearly 3,000 posts, so you'll have plenty to read.