National Geographic - Civil Warriors (2011) Part 1 Families at War

In the wake of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, National Geographic follows descendants of ordinary Americans as they embark on personal journeys to discover the stories of their ancestors in the bloodiest war in American history. This three-part program reveals the amazing human stories of lives turned upside down by the Civil War–from a Virginian slave holding lady to a Union officer and a Confederate private. Through vivid recreations and innovative graphic techniques, we'll go back in time to see the true consequences of hard war and the resilient human spirit. Eleven Civil-War descendants search for insights into the experiences of their ancestors, who include a Union and a Confederate private, a doctor, one of the first black soldiers, a slave and a nurse from New York. Casting a human light on the Civil War experience, these eye-opening programs profile a range of individuals by having their descendants trace their stories. Insights from experts and reenactors, along with visits to actual Civil War locales, give a visceral and immediate sense of what different people went through during the war. The program helps viewers understand what it was really like to be a Confederate recruit, a surgeon, a slave, a soldier at Gettysburg, and more. Archival photos, excerpts from diaries and letters, and computer animations add to the compelling stories. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, Nat Geo aired all three episodes on a single night.

Part 1 Families at War

What was the reason for ancestors of the modern Americans to participate in the U.S. Civil War in the 1860s? One of the main causes of the whole war was slavery, which was not accepted in the Northern states. Follow Roger Fisk, a descendant of a soldier on the Union side who went to war, not just to preserve the Union but also to free the slaves. Using the letters written by his ancestor as a guide, we'll go on an epic journey to reveal his motive for traveling hundreds of miles through battlefields to go to war. We also meet Christian Latham, a 22-year-old descendant of a private, who wants to experience what his ancestors did 150 years ago in their struggle for freedom.

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