In the spring of 1861, the Civil War ignited when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, signaling the start of the conflict between the North and South.

President Abraham Lincoln, determined to preserve the Union, issued a call for 75,000 troops to suppress the rebellion, leading to swift responses across the nation.

While Northern states rallied to his side, the Upper South, including Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee, chose to secede.

As tensions escalated, pivotal battles and political decisions would shape the course of history. Watch to learn how Lincoln’s leadership steered the nation through its darkest days of division.