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Take a journey back in time and immerse yourself in a 150-year-old battle that nearly split our nation in two. This three-part series explores famous and little known aspects of the Civil War, from the perspectives of the Union, the Confederacy and the millions of enslaved people struggling for freedom. Hosted by Ashley Judd, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Haysbert, all of whom had ancestors greatly affected by the war, this series delivers fresh insights and untold tales, brought to life through dramatic recreations and the Smithsonian Institution's vast collection of artifacts.
Seasons
Episode 1
The Union
1h 0m
We all know who won the Civil War, but there were many moments when victory was anything but certain. Join Ashley Judd, great-great-great granddaughter of two Union soldiers, as she takes us back 150 years for an intimate look at the North's battles and struggles during those bloody four years. From iconic artifacts like Old Glory to small objects like field medical kits and soldiers' photos, discover the stunning backstories of seemingly ordinary pieces from our past.
Episode 2
The Confederacy
1h 0m
Millions of dollars worth of Confederate currency. Sheet music filled with boasts of triumph. J.E.B. Stuart's handgun. Smithsonian curators have collected thousands of objects from the Civil War, which collectively offer a rich understanding of the South's viewpoint during this pivotal era in American history. Join country music singer Trace Adkins, whose ancestor fought for the South, as he follows the rise and fall of the Confederacy, from the men who fought to define freedom on their own terms to those who were caught in the wake of war.
Episode 3Latest episode
Fight For Freedom
1h 0m
A century and a half ago, North battled South in a conflict that would kill more Americans than any other war. The outcome would change our nation forever, and no one had more to gain, or to lose, than enslaved Americans. Join actor Dennis Haysbert as he looks at their struggles through the objects in the Smithsonian's collection. From a bloodstained map to the inkwell Lincoln used to write the Emancipation Proclamation, these artifacts transport us to a brutal and complicated time when our country tore itself apart.
