The Civil War Home Front
The Civil War had a profound effect on nearly all aspects of life in Wisconsin. All residents, regardless of whether they became a part of the Union effort, felt the repercussions of war. After the financial shock of early 1861 resulting from the secession of the Southern states, the Civil War brought economic prosperity to Wisconsin. The war helped to consolidate transportation and industrial activity by increasing the volume of eastward-moving trade, especially when the closing of the lower Mississippi River restricted access to New Orleans. Railroads were overwhelmed with business, sending transportation costs through the roof. With the departure... more...
Original Documents and Other Primary Sources
![Link to article: Women try to raise funds to improve soldiers' medical conditions, 1863.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Women try to raise funds to improve soldiers' medical conditions, 1863. |
![Link to article: Ozaukee County residents riot to resist the Civil War draft in 1862](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Ozaukee County residents riot to resist the Civil War draft in 1862 |
![Link to article: More than 200 Wis. newspaper stories about the war](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | More than 200 Wis. newspaper stories about the war |
![Link to article: A Waukesha editor recalls the underground railroad](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A Waukesha editor recalls the underground railroad |
![Link to article: An Immigrant Who Became a Northwoods Missionary](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | An Immigrant Who Became a Northwoods Missionary |
![Link to article: Girlhood and motherhood on the Wisconsin frontier, 1824-1860.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Girlhood and motherhood on the Wisconsin frontier, 1824-1860. |
![Link to article: Henry Dodge brought his slaves to Wisconsin](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Henry Dodge brought his slaves to Wisconsin |
![Link to book: A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 1)](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 1) |
![Link to book: A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 2)](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 2) |
![Link to book: Wisconsin women tell their stories of life on the Civil War home front.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Wisconsin women tell their stories of life on the Civil War home front. |
![Link to book: Roster of Wisconsin Civil War Soldiers, vol. I](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Roster of Wisconsin Civil War Soldiers, vol. I |
![Link to images: Civil War Recruitment Broadside, 1861](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Civil War Recruitment Broadside, 1861 |
![Link to images: Photograph of attorney Byron Paine, ca. 1860](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Photograph of attorney Byron Paine, ca. 1860 |
![Link to manuscript: Ma Ingalls describes family life in 1861](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | Ma Ingalls describes family life in 1861 |
![Link to manuscript: Letters by relatives of Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1861-1919](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | Letters by relatives of Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1861-1919 |
![Link to manuscript: A Rock Co. soldier writes home, 1862-1865](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Rock Co. soldier writes home, 1862-1865 |
![Link to manuscript: Emilie Quiner's diary of Wisconsin during the Civil War, 1861-1863](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | Emilie Quiner's diary of Wisconsin during the Civil War, 1861-1863 |
![Link to manuscript: Daily life for a working class woman in Onalaska, 1864](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | Daily life for a working class woman in Onalaska, 1864 |