American Civil War retold at Cutchogue library

Cutchogue New Suffolk Library is hosting a four-part program titled ‘American Civil War Retold’ starting from April 9, 2025, which marks the 160th anniversary of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. The program aims to retell the most captivating and seminal event in American history through a video presentation. The transformation of the United States is narrated through the words of the three most central figures of the time – Jefferson Davis, Frederick Douglass, and Abraham Lincoln. These historical events are communicated by three news reporters who describe the events as they unfold, in a time-linear fashion.

The program is divided into four parts:

– April 9, Part 1: November 1860 to December 1861. Lincoln is elected; Southern States secede. Northerners think the South is bluffing until Bull Run.

– April 23, Part 2: January to December 1862. Fighting intensifies, The Proclamation. Confederate Army dominates in the East, Grant emerges in the West, Union victory at Antietam opens door for Lincoln.

– May 7, Part 3: January to December 1863. Lee shocks at Chancellorsville, then invades the North. Grant’s persistence at Vicksburg, bloody Gettysburg, Lincoln’s address.

– June 4, Part 4: January 1864 to April 1865. Bloodshed continues, Lincoln re-election in doubt, Grant V Lee, Appomattox.

It is often said the country entered the war as the United States, plural, and emerged a nation, as the United States, singular. Come experience this transformation. The event is free to attend and starts at 6 p.m. Please register for each session separately.