The Civil War

Image of black and white drawing of Civil War ships in battle
The Confederate "Mosquito Fleet" saved New Orleans from a Union fleet in 1861, but this victory only postponed the inevitable. Learn more about the Civil War and its aftermath of the civil rights struggle by collecting Civil War trading cards.

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The Civil War (1861-1865) changed the United States profoundly. It affected the lives of every man, woman, and child in the United States in some way. Millions gained their freedom. Hundreds of thousands died. Thousands more were wounded, saw their homes destroyed, or lost friends or family members.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the greatest test that the United States has ever faced, the National Park Service has created free Civil War trading cards that explore the war itself and its aftermath of Civil War to civil rights. Jean Lafitte has a total of nine trading cards that explore both military history and the struggle for civil rights that the Civil War inspired. Jean Lafitte's cards tell the story of Pvt. Andre Cailloux, Chalmette artillery, Sarah Wakeman, the Mosquito Fleet, the US Colored Troops, Fazendeville, New Orleans "The Queen of the South"), the Union capture of New Orleans, and New Orleans public school integration.

Here's how to get cards:

  • To receive a set of Jean Lafitte's Civil War trading cards in person, just go to the information desk at any Jean Lafitte visitor center. Click here for information about Jean Lafitte's six sites, including links to maps and hours and days of operation.
  • To download all nine Jean Lafitte cards, click here. The site also has cards from all the other participating NPS sites.
  • To request cards by mail, email the park.

Find out more about the Civil War at

  • the NPS Civil War website - find battlefields and other important Civil War sites, explore the soldiers and sailors database with names of those who served on both sides, follow the tweets of a Civil War reporter, read essays on Civil War history and social issues, discover the journey from Civil War to civil rights. and learn the stories of politicians, soldiers, and ordinary Americans.

Last updated: December 7, 2021

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