Fort Ward (Alexandria, Virginia)

One of the largest forts in the Defenses of Washington was Fort Ward in Alexandria, Virginia. Construction of Fort Ward began in July 1861 immediately after the Union defeat at First Bull Run.

The 29th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 29th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was almost exclusively a “German” unit, reflecting the fact that between 1820 and 1860 some 1.3 million German immigrants arrived in America.