War Across Generations: A Photographic Gallery from the Civil War and World War I

“Peace is always beautiful” - Walt Whitman

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was no stranger to the ravages of war. At age 42, he enlisted in the British ambulance corps during World War I, and saw the growing unrest in Europe as he wrote his great work Dona Nobis Pacem (1936). For his text, Vaughan Williams was drawn to the poetry of another war volunteer: Walt Whitman, who worked as a nurse during the American Civil War.

Below are a selection of photographs from the Civil War and World War I, along with the special keepsake program book from City Choir’s World War I Centennial Concert.

The City Choir of Washington is indebted to the Cantigny First Division Foundation and the First Division Museum at Cantigny for sharing their collection of World War I photographs.

Photos of the Civil War

Ward in the Carver General Hospital, Washington, D.C. National Archives.

Two wounded Federal soldiers being cared for by a nurse during the Civil War.

Chaplain conducting mass for the 69th New York State Militia encamped at Fort Corcoran, Washington, D.C., 1861. Photograph by Matthew Brady. National Archives.

Family of Samuel Smith, soldier in the 119th United States Colored Infantry. Library of Congress.

Infantry resting from drills. Photograph by Matthew Brady. National Archives

Black laborers at Alexandria, Virginia (near coal wharf). Photograph by Matthew Brady. National Archives.

A family with the 31st Pennsylvania Regiment, near Washington, D.C. National Archives.

A group of enslaved workers gathered outside a building at the Foller Plantation in Cumberland Landing, Pamunkey Run, Virginia, May, 1862.

Union soldiers at mealtime. Library of Congress.

Photos of the First World War

Piano left behind by the Germans, St Mihiel. First Division Museum at Cantigny..

French refugees returning home and thanking American troops for driving Germans from their village. Ardennes, France, 1918. First Division Museum at Cantigny..

German children greet American forces, 1918. First Division Museum at Cantigny.

Men of the 18th Infantry, 1st Div. marching through deep mud. Ardennes, France, 1918. First Division Museum at Cantigny.

American soldiers care for a wounded comrade. First Division Museum at Cantigny.

Allied supply train, France. First Division Museum at Cantigny.

Wartime Christmas service. First Division Museum at Cantigny.

American soldiers and piano in a bombed church. First Division Museum at Cantigny.

American and British soldiers celebrating the Armistice. Everett Historical Collection.

War Across Generations: A Photographic Gallery from the Civil War and World War I

“Peace is always beautiful” - Walt Whitman

The City Choir of Washington is indebted to the Cantigny First Division Foundation and the First Division Museum at Cantigny for sharing their collection of World War I photographs.

World War I Centennial Concert Program Book

View the program book in full-screen mode for the best experience

Photos of the Civil War

Photos of the First World War

The City Choir of Washington, a nonprofit corporation under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, is supported in part by funding from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities

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