Ep 3. Forever Free, 1862

In the third episode of The Civil War: A Film By Ken Burns season 1, titled "Forever Free, 1862," we see the struggle between the Union and Confederate armies intensify as the war rages on. The episode begins with the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history, where nearly 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing. Burns shows us the chaos and carnage of the battlefield, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of both Union and Confederate soldiers.

Despite the Union's victory at Antietam, the war continues, and President Lincoln decides to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be freed. Burns examines the political and social implications of this historic document, noting that it did not actually free any slaves immediately, but rather set in motion a process that would lead to their eventual liberation.

We see the ways in which both the Union and Confederacy grappled with the issue of slavery, with some Union generals refusing to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and some Confederate leaders proposing that enslaved men be allowed to fight for the Confederacy in exchange for their freedom. Burns also explores the experiences of enslaved men and women during this time, highlighting the risks they took to escape to Union lines and the difficulties they faced once they arrived.

As the war continues, Burns delves into the experiences of individual soldiers, both Union and Confederate. We see the toll that the war takes on these men, many of whom are young and inexperienced. Burns also examines the role of women in the war effort, both on the home front and as nurses and aid workers on the battlefield.

Throughout the episode, Burns weaves in quotes from letters and speeches, giving us a sense of the language and rhetoric of the time. We also see period photographs and reenactments, bringing to life the people and events of the Civil War. Overall, "Forever Free, 1862" is a powerful and informative look at one of the most pivotal years in American history.