Complex, controversial, and still contentious, the American Civil War defies a simple explanation. The prolonged, bloody struggle achieved two things: the preservation of the nation and the emancipation of the enslaved population. Beyond these two points, scholars debate and dissect every aspect of the conflict – causes, tactics, personalities, plus new information discovered in old archives. In the more than 150 years since its conclusion, the Civil War’s political and cultural legacies resonate, yet not every story fits a single narrative.
Shown here are some Civil War stories related to High Point. Although our city and most of North Carolina endured limited military action, the Civil War greatly affected our citizens’ lives. Many experienced hardship and death, but many also gained freedom. A town just beginning to grow around its railroad at the beginning of the war found itself a target because of that railroad by the end.