It was a four-year struggle for the survival of a nation and for its soul, in which 620,000 Americans died largely over the question of whether human beings could be owned as property, and a state’s right to secede from the union. From the early days of the conflict through the collapse of the Confederacy, this LIFE Explores special edition highlights the Civil War’s legendary battles and brings a particular focus to many of the generals, including Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, “Stonewall” Jackson, William Tecumseh Sherman and other generals, celebrated and obscure, who led North and South to victory and defeat

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