Skip to content
Ghosts of DC

Ghosts of DC

  • The Best Of
  • Neighborhoods
    • Southwest DC
      • Waterfront
    • Maryland
      • Gaithersburg
      • Rockville
      • Bethesda
      • Hyattsville
      • Silver Spring
      • Bladensburg
    • Virginia
      • McLean
      • Falls Church
      • Alexandria
      • Vienna
      • Arlington
    • Southeast DC
      • Congress Heights
      • Navy Yard
      • Capitol Hill
      • Anacostia
    • Northeast DC
      • Trinidad
      • Woodridge
      • Deanwood
      • Brookland
    • Northwest DC
      • Tenleytown
      • Park View
      • Friendship Heights
      • Brightwood
      • Crestwood
      • Sheridan-Kalorama
      • The Palisades
      • Logan Circle
      • Petworth
      • Glover Park
      • Bloomingdale
      • Georgetown
      • Woodley Park
      • Dupont Circle
      • Columbia Heights
      • Cleveland Park
      • Adams Morgan
      • Mt. Pleasant
      • Chevy Chase
      • Cathedral Heights
      • Chinatown
    • Lost Neighborhoods
      • Hell’s Bottom
      • Swampoodle
      • Murder Bay
  • Notable People & Places
    • Places
      • Washington Monument
      • Library of Congress
      • The White House
      • The Capitol Building
      • Dulles Airport
    • People
      • Franklin D. Roosevelt
      • Calvin Coolidge
      • Officer Sprinkle
      • Dwight D. Eisenhower
      • Warren G. Harding
      • William McKinley
      • Abraham Lincoln
      • John F. Kennedy
      • Teddy Roosevelt
      • Woodrow Wilson

Civil War

Washington sat at the center of the Civil War, serving as the Union capital with Confederate territory just across the river. These posts cover the forts, hospitals, battles, figures, and everyday life that defined the city during the war years.

Exploring the Cool Print We Found on the Library of Congress Website

April 28, 2026August 23, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Balloon view of Washington, D.C., Harper's Weekly, July 27, 1861, p. 476. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, LC-USZ62-71022. Smithsonian Institution Building can be seen at the top center east of the Potomac River and Virginia, Washington Canal visible, proceeding from the Potomac River due east and then southeast.

Discover a cool print found on the Library of Congress website. Check it out and explore what it has to offer

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Civil War, Smithsonian 1 Comment

Uncovering History: A Look at Jubal Early’s Rebel Attack on Washington

April 27, 2026August 21, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Plan of the Rebel attack on Washington, D.C., July 11th and 12th, 1864.

Take a look back in history with this old map that shows Jubal Early’s Rebel attack on Washington. See the plan of the attack and learn more about this important moment in history.

Categories Historical Events Tags 1860s, Civil War 1 Comment

Taking a Glimpse at Harpers Ferry in July 1865

April 28, 2026July 30, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Harpers Ferry in July 1865

Take a step back in time and explore the picturesque town of Harpers Ferry in July of 1865. Get a glimpse of the town with this breathtaking photo taken during the Civil War. Visit Ghosts of DC to learn more!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Civil War, Potomac River 3 Comments

Alexandria’s 1858 Custom House and Post Office at Prince and St. Asaph

April 21, 2026July 24, 2013 by ghostsofdc
custom house in Alexandria

The 1858 Alexandria Custom House held the federal flag at Prince and St. Asaph through the Civil War occupation and was demolished in 1930. Ammi B. Young designed it.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, If Walls Could Talk, Lost History, Notable People & Places Tags Alexandria, Civil War

The Amazing Image of the Confederate Ironclad Stonewall Anchoring in Washington in 1865

April 27, 2026July 22, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C. Ex-Confederate iron-clad ram Stonewall at anchor; U.S. Capitol in the background

This amazing image shows the Confederate Ironclad Stonewall anchored in Washington in 1865, with the Capitol Dome visible between the masts. Learn more about the ship and its history with this blog post!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, Featured Tags 1860s, Civil War 1 Comment

An Awesome Photograph from the Civil War: A Haymarket in Washington, DC

April 27, 2026July 11, 2013 by ghostsofdc
haymarket in Washington, DC

Take a look at this awesome Civil War photograph of a haymarket in Washington, DC. See the Smithsonian in the background? If not, let us know what those buildings are

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Civil War 2 Comments

Incredible Photograph from the Civil War: Three Men at the Washington Arsenal

April 27, 2026July 11, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C. Park of Wiard guns at the Arsenal; H.L. Stuart, Nathaniel P. Willis, and Gen. Daniel E. Sickles at right

An incredible photograph from the Civil War shows three men at the Washington Arsenal. Don’t forget to read our guest post by GoDCer Andrew on the explosion that killed 21 at the Arsenal.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Civil War 1 Comment

Exploring Camp Brightwood on the Cultural Tourism D.C. Heritage Trail

April 27, 2026July 10, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Capt. B.S. Brown (left); Lt. John P. Shaw, Co. F 2nd Regt. Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry (center); and Lt. Fry (right) with African American men and boy.

Take an historic journey to Camp Brightwood on the Cultural Tourism D.C. Heritage Trail. Learn more about this Civil War landmark at 5704 Georgia Ave. NW.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Brightwood, Civil War

The Power of a Stereographic Card: Exploring a Civil War Alexandria Slave Pen

April 27, 2026July 2, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Photograph shows soldiers inside prison area where slaves were held.

Get a glimpse of history with this powerful stereographic card taken during the Civil War at an Alexandria slave pen. Explore the emotional image and learn more about this significant era.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Alexandria, Civil War 3 Comments
Older posts
Newer posts
← Previous Page1 … Page3 Page4 Page5 … Page8 Next →
Explore the Archive
The Best Of Old Ads & Classifieds Then and Now Lost History
GoDCers Love Maps From the Crazy Vault Faces & Places of Yesterday If Walls Could Talk
Historical Events Notable People & Places This Day in History Guest Posts
Three Things… A Personal Story Why Is It Named…? Featured
Ghosts of DC© 2012–2026 Ghosts of DC · AI Policy