This has been a great thread! For someone like me with a keen interest about the Civil War era, and the impact it has had on America, I am heartened by the amount of interest in this thread - and by the knowledge people have on the subject.

Ken Burns series was a masterpiece. I am so pleased it was viewed in the UK. Not only was the history and commentary good, but the music, photos and film were artfully used to portray the stories. I know much of our worst TV gets viewed worldwide; I am glad to hear that some of our best has made beyond our borders, as well!

I have read enjoyed reading some of this history; especially Shelby Foote's narratives, and James P. Gannon's history called Irish Rebels, Confederate Tigers : The 6th Louisiana Volunteers, 1861-1865. I wrote a song about these Irish Civil War soldiers. I wrote another based upon my family research, about a young Confederate soldier from Connemara Ireland. There are so many moving stories from this era. I reckon a songwriter could spend a life's work trying to capture some of them.