The Civil War started between the northern and southern states.  The southern states joined together to become the Confederate States, also known as the Confederacy.  The northern states were known as the Union.

The Confederacy wanted to secede, or leave the United States.  President Abraham Lincoln wanted to keep the states together.  The Civil War was also called the War between the States.

Both the north and south had some advantages.  People had in the north had factories and other resources.  The people in the south had more experience with horses and guns.

During this time, Harriet Tubman helped African American slaves escape to the north through the Underground Railroad.

The War started in 1861 and ended in 1865.  Over 1.5 million people fought for the north and over 1 million people fought for the south.  The south finally surrendered at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

Originally, at the foot of the Civil War Monument in front of City Hall, there were small cannons surrounding the base.  It is believed that they were taken as scrap metal to be melted and used during the second World War.