Reformers in the Republican Party, which dominated national politics in the 1860s and 1870s, had been calling for a professional, merit-based civil service since shortly after the Civil War.

“As a Civil War historian, I’ve been seeing many people from the Left and the Right saying we are on the brink of another civil war,” Sinha said. “I think that’s really irresponsible.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Washington native James Smallwood had had the old musket of another era for ...

Alexandria estate with Civil War ties on the market for $11.5 million HOUSE OF THE WEEK | The early 1800s mansion has been a school, the home of a member of Virginia’s Mason family and maybe ...