The Case:
A Civil War enthusiast owns a striking vintage photograph that depicts about 20 older white men in full dress uniform, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with two black men.
In Reconstructionist-era America, association between blacks and whites was frequently taboo. So what brought them together for this portrait?
Their bond, it turns out, was the Grand Army of the Republic, a remarkable fraternal order organized for war veterans. In fact, integration was actually a GAR standard. The reason? The men had in common an affliction that transcended race – a struggle with post traumatic stress.
History Detectives investigates the first national social group to challenge the color barrier.
Season 5, Episode 3
Season 6, Episode 6
Detective:
Elyse Luray
Location:Cazenovia, NY and Washington D.C.
Related Content
Video:
Feature:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Napolean's Sword
Did Napoleon bestow this sword as a gift to a brave ancestor of a St. Martinville family?
-
Also in Season 6
Birthplace Of Hip Hop
Did this Bronx apartment building give birth to a culture that now spans the globe?
-
Related Investigation
Seadrome
Did floating airports dot the Atlantic before modern air travel?
-
Also in Season 6
Shipwreck Cannons
Are these the last remains of a navy schooner that fought in a border dispute with the mighty British Empire?
-
Also in Season 6
1856 Mormon Tale
Is this tattered book a true account of female slavery in the old West?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Chinese Opium Scale
Could this really be an opium scale from the Chinese community of Montana?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.