Recommended Civil War Videos & Lectures

Although The National Civil War Institute is not affiliated with the the following Organizations or Individuals, and although we may not always agree with every historical conclusion or interpretation they present, we have immense respect for their work and recommend these works.

The American Battlefield Trust

We at The National Civil War Institute have immense respect for the work of The American Battlefield Trust. Their commitment to preserving America’s battlefields, producing educational material, and keeping the memory of the Civil War accessible to the public is worthy of appreciation. For that reason, we are glad to highlight and share some of their videos and resources here for the benefit of those who desire to better understand this great and tragic chapter of American history.

Where the Civil War Began | Fort Sumter

This video takes viewers by ferry across Charleston Harbor to visit the famous Fort Sumter, the site where the Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861. Surrounded by water and history, Fort Sumter stands as one of the most important landmarks in America’s story, marking the moment when political crisis turned into open war. The tour offers a closer look at the fort, its setting, and the events that made it forever central to the history of the War Between the States.

History Gone Wilder: Have History will travel.

First Battle of Bull Run, Part 1 | Blackburn's Ford

This animated battle map follows the First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas, fought on July 21, 1861. As the first major battle of the Civil War, it shattered the expectation that the conflict would be short or easily won. The video traces the action hour by hour, from the Union advance under Brigadier General Irvin McDowell to the Confederate stand at Henry House Hill, where Thomas J. Jackson earned the name “Stonewall.” What began as a confident march toward victory ended in a chaotic retreat to Washington, revealing that the war would be far longer, bloodier, and more terrible than either side had imagined.