Discover a pivotal moment in history with Mathew Brady's stunning photo of Washington, D.C. in 1865, capturing the end of the Civil War era.

The Civil War reached the outer edges of Washington in 1864. It was so close that President Lincoln rode near the front lines of Fort Stevens and came under fire.

Take a step back in time with this 1861 photo of Washington, DC. Click on it for a larger version and marvel at the history of our nation's capital! Source: Library of Congress.

Step back in time and explore the fascinating history of Alexander Gardner's 1863 photographic gallery in Washington, DC. View the original image and learn more about this historical figure.

Take a look at this 1861 Civil War map of the D.C. area to explore the District's history of war. Source: Library of Congress.

At least 400 women disguised themselves as men to join the Civil War, fighting for their side in the only way they could. Learn about one of them, Rosetta Wakeman, and her incredible story in Wild Women of Washington.

Explore the 1863 convalescent camp four miles outside of Washington, run by the U.S. Christian Commission. See photos of the camp and the Commission's 1865 D.C. headquarters.

Take a look at this incredible photo of 21st and F Street NW, taken at the conclusion of the Civil War. See what it looked like at the end of this historic conflict!

This article reveals the fascinating story of Varina Davis' visit to Washington in 1866, when her husband, Jefferson Davis, was a prisoner at Fortress Monroe. Learn how Varina Davis called on President Johnson at the White House and more!

This is a great old map that we dug up at the Library of Congress. It shows Fairfax County and the surroundings near the end of the Civil War. A map of Fairfax County, and parts of Loudoun and Prince William Counties, Va., and the District of Columbia] / copied by J. Paul Hoffmann, Top’l. Office, A.N.Va. ; approved S. Howell Brown, 1st Lt. Engs. Troops, in chg. Topl. Dept. A.N.V., March 29th...

Discover the remarkable story of Col. Ulric Dahlgren, the Union soldier who lost his leg at Gettysburg, and the plaque that marks the spot in DC's Navy Yard where his leg was interred.

Take a look back in time with this detailed photograph of the Union encampment at Centreville during the winter of 1861-1862. Click on the photograph for more information and to view the original source.

A rare look at Union soldiers guarding the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1861. See the incredible photo, thanks to Reddit, and learn more about the Civil War era in the US capital.

On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. On the same day, The Evening Star newspaper was published, featuring a "Special Notice" that is as interesting as anything that could be published today. Take a look at the newspaper, the day after the assassination.

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.

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!

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! Source: Library of Congress.

Take a look at this old photo from the Library of Congress of Camp Brightwood during the Civil War. Read more about it on the Cultural Tourism D.C. Heritage Trail sign at 5704 Georgia Ave. NW.

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.

This is a photograph of Montgomery Blair’s home, known as Falkland, burnt on July 12th, 1864. Also, don’t forget to read our post on how Silver Spring got it’s name. Photo shows the mansion called Falkland, built in the 1850s as a summer residence and burned by either Confederate troops or camp followers on July 12, 1864. Source: Library of Congress

Explore the 1865 Civil War Map of Washington, D.C. from the Library of Congress and discover road and fort locations at the end of the war.

Learn the story of William Orton Williams and Walter Gibson "Gip" Peter, two relatives of Robert E. Lee who were hanged as spies. This guest post is an excerpt from Canden Schwantes' book "Wicked Georgetown: Scoundrels, Sinners and Spies".

I love this. You’ll love this too, I’m sure. It’s a bird’s eye view of Alexandria from the water in 1863. Thank you Library of Congress! 1863 view of Alexandria

Discover a fascinating piece of history with this 1862 drawing of Fort Pennsylvania at Tennallytown during the Civil War. Learn more about this important fort from the perspective of the time.

Take a look at the Civil War history of Fort Totten in Washington, DC with these incredible photos. See the panoramic view from 1863, the interior of the fort, and a 100 pound Parrott gun. Explore the past with us!

Explore the fascinating story of how Abraham Lincoln was a technophile and gave birth to the Union Army Balloon Corps in 1861, when Thaddeus Lowe sent him a telegram from a gas balloon over the National Mall.

One of the first GoDCers, John, sent along an awesome old maps site a few days ago, appropriately named Old Maps Online. Poking around the site this past weekend (I was in a big map phase), I came across this gem from the Boston Public Library. Technically, not really a map … more a bird’s eye view of the greater Washington area, as seen from the north at the beginning of the Civil War. bird’s...

Take a look at an amazing photograph of Carver Barracks on Meridian Hill during the Civil War. In the background, you can see Columbian College (i.e., George Washington University). Learn more about this historic site from Cultural Tourism D.C.!

Happy Saturday GoDCers! We uncovered an incredible Civil War map of the rebel fortifications just west of D.C. in the Boston Public Library archives. Check out the original here!

Discover the incredible story of Elmer Ellsworth, the first Union officer killed in the Civil War, with an amazing stereographic image of the Marshall House in Alexandria. See the amazing shot found at the Library of Congress, and learn the story of the day the Confederate flag flew above the building.