Foreign Observers

The United States During the War by Auguste Laugel

The Story of a Soldier’s Life by Garnet Joseph Wolseley

A Report on Civil War America: Sir James Fergusson's Five-Week Visit by Sir James Fergusson

A Visit to the Cities and Camps of the Confederate States by FitzGerald Ross

How was the American Civil War understood in an international context? Traditionally viewed as a domestic affair, the Civil War was of great interest to the international community. In this respect, you will find remarkable accounts in this collection of foreign observers documenting their thoughts and experiences in the United States during this time. As they navigated the Northern and Southern societies, they struggled with issues like slavery, the war, and economics while experiencing hospitals, plantations, politics, and the battlefield. This aspect of the collection reveals a unique international voice interpreting this tremulous time in American history.