A tipi (also teepee, tepee) is a conical tent originally made of animal skins or birch bark and popularized by the Native Americans of the Great Plains. Tipis are stereotypically associated with Native Americans in general, but Native Americans from places other than the Great Plains used different types of dwellings. The term wigwam is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to a dwelling of this type. The tipi was durable, provided warmth and comfort in winter, was dry during heavy rains, and was cool in the heat of summer. Tipis could be disassembled and packed away quickly when a tribe decided to move, and could be reconstructed quickly when the tribe settled in a new area. This portability was important to those Plains Indians who had a nomadic lifestyle.

Teepee

A tipi (also teepee, tepee) is a conical tent originally made of animal skins or birch bark and popularized…

Charles Willson Peale (April 15, 1741 – February 22, 1827) was an American painter, soldier and naturalist.

Charles Wilson Peale

Charles Willson Peale (April 15, 1741 – February 22, 1827) was an American painter, soldier and…

William Penn (October 14, 1644 – July 30, 1718) was founder and "Absolute Proprietor" of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

William Penn

William Penn (October 14, 1644 – July 30, 1718) was founder and "Absolute Proprietor" of the Province…

Marinus Willett (July 31, 1740 – August 22, 1830) was an American soldier and political leader from New York. He was characterized by historian Mark M. Boatner as "one of the truly outstanding American leaders of the Revolution." Marinus Willett served in the militia during the French and Indian War. He received a commission as 2nd lieutenant in a New York regiment under the command of Oliver DeLancey Sr. which took part in General James Abercrombie's expedition to Fort Ticonderoga in 1758. During the early stages of the American Revolution, Willett became an informal leader of the Sons of Liberty in New York City.

Marinus Willett

Marinus Willett (July 31, 1740 – August 22, 1830) was an American soldier and political leader from…

Francis Wilkinson Pickens (April 7, 1805 – January 25, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician who served as Governor of South Carolina when the state seceded from the United States during the American Civil War.

Francis Wilkinson Pickens

Francis Wilkinson Pickens (April 7, 1805 – January 25, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician…

James Harrison Wilson (September 2, 1837 – February 23, 1925) was a United States Army topographic engineer, a Union Army General in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author.

James Harrison Wilson

James Harrison Wilson (September 2, 1837 – February 23, 1925) was a United States Army topographic…

A man using a single scull to row a boat. Sculling was used by ancient Chinese, American Indians, and by gondola pilots.

Scull

A man using a single scull to row a boat. Sculling was used by ancient Chinese, American Indians, and…

William Henry Winder (1775 – 1824) was an American soldier and a Maryland lawyer. He was a controversial general in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. He was commissioned as a colonel in the U.S. Army at the start of the War of 1812. Promoted to brigadier general, he was one of two acting commanders of the American army at the Battle of Stoney Creek in July 1813, where he was captured, along with fellow commander John Chandler.

William Henry Winder

William Henry Winder (1775 – 1824) was an American soldier and a Maryland lawyer. He was a controversial…

Rear Admiral John Ancrum Winslow (1811 – 29 September 1873) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. He was in command of the steam sloop of war USS Kearsarge during her historic 1864 action with the Confederate ship Alabama.

John Ancrum Winslow

Rear Admiral John Ancrum Winslow (1811 – 29 September 1873) was an officer in the United States…

The electric eel, Electrophorus electricus, is a species of fish. It is capable of generating powerful electric shocks, which it uses for both hunting and self-defense. It is an apex predator in its South American range. Despite its name it is not an eel at all but rather a knifefish.

Electric Eel

The electric eel, Electrophorus electricus, is a species of fish. It is capable of generating powerful…

Robert Charles Winthrop (May 12, 1809 – Boston) was an American lawyer and philanthropist and one time Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

Robert Charles Winthrop

Robert Charles Winthrop (May 12, 1809 – Boston) was an American lawyer and philanthropist and…

Henry Alexander Wise (December 3, 1806 – September 12, 1876) was an American statesman from Virginia. Henry A. Wise served in the United States Congress from 1833 to 1844. Wise was active in securing the election of John Tyler as Vice President in 1840. Tyler appointed Wise as United States minister to Brazil from 1844 to 1847, where two of his children were born in Rio de Janeiro. After his return, Wise identified with the Democratic Party. In 1855, after a remarkable campaign, he was elected governor of Virginia over the Know Nothing candidate. Wise served as a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army. He commanded a brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia during the siege of Petersburg, and was promoted to the rank of Major General after the Battle of Sayler's Creek.

Henry Alexander Wise

Henry Alexander Wise (December 3, 1806 – September 12, 1876) was an American statesman from Virginia.…

Eleazer Derby Wood (1783 – September 17, 1814) was an American Army officer in the War of 1812. He was distinguished at Fort Erie, where he lost his life in a sortie. Colonel Wood was much beloved by General Brown, who caused a handsome marble monument to be erected to his memory at West Point. Also, he was the namesake of Fort Wood on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor on which the Statue of Liberty was built. He is also the namesake of Wood County, Ohio.

Colonel Eleazer Derby Wood's Monument at West Point

Eleazer Derby Wood (1783 – September 17, 1814) was an American Army officer in the War of 1812.…

Stewart Lyndon Woodford (September 3, 1835 – February 14, 1913) was an American politician. He studied law and began practice in New York in 1857. In 1861–62, Stewart was made assistant United States district attorney for the southern district of New York. He served in the National army from 1862 to 1865 and received the brevet of brigadier general of volunteers. From 1865 to 1868 he served as Lieutenant Governor of New York.

Stewart Lyndon Woodford

Stewart Lyndon Woodford (September 3, 1835 – February 14, 1913) was an American politician. He studied…

John Ellis Wool (February 20, 1784 – November 10, 1869) was an officer in the United States Army during three consecutive U.S. wars: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the oldest Union general of the American Civil War. By the time of the Mexican-American War, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the army and a superb organizer. He was one of the four general officers of the United States Army in 1861, and was the one who saw the most Civil War service. When the war began, Wool, at age 77, a brigadier general for 20 years, commanded the Department of the East.

John Ellis Wool

John Ellis Wool (February 20, 1784 – November 10, 1869) was an officer in the United States Army…

David Wooster (March 2, 1710 – May 2, 1777) was an American general in the American Revolutionary War. In 1739 Wooster was a lieutenant of the guard-a-costa in the war between England and Spain. He commanded the regiment in Connecticut in 1745. Wooster was appointed colonel in the 3rd Connecticut regiment in 1755. He was later appointed brigadier general and served during the French War during 1756-1763. Wooster was commander of the American troops in Canada. He fell during the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut.

David Wooster

David Wooster (March 2, 1710 – May 2, 1777) was an American general in the American Revolutionary…

John Lorimer Worden (12 March 1818 – 19 October 1897) was a U.S. Admiral who served in the American Civil War. He commanded Monitor against the Confederate vessel Virginia (originally named Merrimack) in first battle of ironclad ships in 1862.

John Lorimer Worden

John Lorimer Worden (12 March 1818 – 19 October 1897) was a U.S. Admiral who served in the American…

The Battle of Wyoming was an encounter during the American Revolutionary War between American Patriots and Loyalists accompanied by Iroquois raiders that took place in Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1778. More than three hundred Patriots were killed in a battle followed by a massacre, in which the Iroquois raiders hunted and killed fleeing Patriots before torturing to death thirty to forty who had surrendered.

<p>Site of Wintermoot's Fort. This view is from the ancient bed of the Susquehanna, looking west. The building, formerly the property of Colonel Jenkins, and now owned by Mr. David Goodwin, is upon the site of old Fort Wintermoot, which was destroyed at the time of the invasion in 1778. It is upon the ancient bank of the river, here from fifteen to twenty feeth high, and about sixty rods from the stream in its present channel.

Site of Wintermoot's Fort

The Battle of Wyoming was an encounter during the American Revolutionary War between American Patriots…

The Battle of Wyoming was an encounter during the American Revolutionary War between American Patriots and Loyalists accompanied by Iroquois raiders that took place in Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1778. More than three hundred Patriots were killed in a battle followed by a massacre, in which the Iroquois raiders hunted and killed fleeing Patriots before torturing to death thirty to forty who had surrendered.

Wyoming Valley Massacre

The Battle of Wyoming was an encounter during the American Revolutionary War between American Patriots…

George Edward Pickett (January 16, January 25 or January 28, 1825 &ndash; July 30, 1875) was a career United States Army officer who became a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

George Edward Pickett

George Edward Pickett (January 16, January 25 or January 28, 1825 – July 30, 1875) was a career…

Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. (January 5, 1779 – April 27, 1813) was an American soldier and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named.

Zebulon Montgomery Pike

Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. (January 5, 1779 – April 27, 1813) was an American soldier and explorer…

William Pinkney (March 17, 1764 – February 25, 1822) was an American statesman and diplomat, and the seventh U.S. Attorney General.

William Pinkney

William Pinkney (March 17, 1764 – February 25, 1822) was an American statesman and diplomat, and the…

Pocahontas (c. 1595 &ndash; March 21, 1617) was a Native American woman who married an Englishman, John Rolfe, and became a celebrity in London in the last year of her life.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas (c. 1595 – March 21, 1617) was a Native American woman who married an Englishman, John…

Leonidas Polk (April 10, 1806 &ndash; June 14, 1864) was a Confederate general who was once a planter in Maury County, Tennessee, and a second cousin of President James K. Polk.

Leonidas Polk

Leonidas Polk (April 10, 1806 – June 14, 1864) was a Confederate general who was once a planter…

The Great Seal of the United States with "E. Pluribus Unum" and a bald eagle holding thirteen arrows and an olive branch.

Great Seal of the United States

The Great Seal of the United States with "E. Pluribus Unum" and a bald eagle holding thirteen arrows…

The Monument marks the grave site of the bones of victims of the Wyoming Massacre, which took place on July 3, 1778. Local residents banded together to defend the area against an invasion of British Tories as well as pro-Tory Native Americans. The battle ended in defeat for the colonial fighters and considerable brutality followed the actual Battle. In 1833, the bones were reinterred in a vault under the present Monument. The monument is located in the borough of Wyoming, Pennsylvania.

The Wyoming Monument

The Monument marks the grave site of the bones of victims of the Wyoming Massacre, which took place…

John Pope (March 16, 1822 &ndash; September 23, 1892) was a career United States Army officer and Union general in the American Civil War.

John Pope

John Pope (March 16, 1822 – September 23, 1892) was a career United States Army officer and Union…

Fitz John Porter (August 31, 1822 &ndash; May 21, 1901) (sometimes written FitzJohn Porter) was a career United States Army officer and a Union General during the American Civil War.

Fitz John Porter

Fitz John Porter (August 31, 1822 – May 21, 1901) (sometimes written FitzJohn Porter) was a career…

Peter Buell Porter (August 14, 1773 &ndash; March 20, 1844) was an American lawyer, soldier and politician who served as United States Secretary of War from 1828 to 1829.

Peter Buel Porter

Peter Buell Porter (August 14, 1773 – March 20, 1844) was an American lawyer, soldier and politician…

Serious American students of theology and divinity, particularly in New England, regarded Hebrew as a classical language, along with Greek and Latin, and essential for study of the Old Testament in the original words. The Reverend Ezra Stiles, president of the College from 1778 to 1795, brought with him his interest in the Hebrew language as a vehicle for studying ancient Biblical texts in their original language (as was common in other schools), requiring all freshmen to study Hebrew (in contrast to Harvard, where only upperclassmen were required to study the language) and is responsible for the Hebrew words "Urim" and "Thummim" on the Yale seal.

Seal of Yale University

Serious American students of theology and divinity, particularly in New England, regarded Hebrew as…

William Hickling Prescott (May 4, 1796 &ndash; January 29, 1859) was an American historian.

William H. Prescott

William Hickling Prescott (May 4, 1796 – January 29, 1859) was an American historian.

Sterling Price (September 20, 1809 &ndash; September 29, 1867) was a lawyer, politician, and militia general from the U.S. state of Missouri, an American Army general during the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate Army major general during the American Civil War.

Sterling Price

Sterling Price (September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867) was a lawyer, politician, and militia…

The Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777) was a battle in which General Washington's revolutionary forces defeated British forces near Princeton, New Jersey.

Battle of Princeton

The Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777) was a battle in which General Washington's revolutionary forces…

The Great Seal of the State of Florida. The image shows a Seminole Native American sprinkling flowers. There is also a palm tree, a steamboat, and sunshine.

Seal of Florida

The Great Seal of the State of Florida. The image shows a Seminole Native American sprinkling flowers.…

William Lowndes Yancey (August 10, 1814 &ndash; July 27, 1863) was a journalist, politician, orator, diplomat and an American leader of the Southern secession movement. A member of the group known as the Fire-Eaters, Yancey was one of the most effective agitators for secession and rhetorical defenders of slavery. An early critic of John C. Calhoun and nullification, by the late 1830s Yancey began to identify with Calhoun and the struggle against the forces of the anti-slavery movement. In 1849 Yancey was a firm supporter of Calhoun's "Southern Address" and an adamant opponent of the Compromise of 1850.

William Lowndes Yancey

William Lowndes Yancey (August 10, 1814 – July 27, 1863) was a journalist, politician, orator,…

Van Cortlandt's Sugar House was a famous (or infamous) prison of the Revolution. It stood on the northwest corner of Trinity church-yard.

Van Cortlandt's Sugar House

Van Cortlandt's Sugar House was a famous (or infamous) prison of the Revolution. It stood on the northwest…

Perhaps the worst of all the New York prisons during the American Revolution was the third Sugar House, which occupied the space on Liberty Street.

Sugar House in Liberty Street

Perhaps the worst of all the New York prisons during the American Revolution was the third Sugar House,…

The New Jail was made a Provost Prison during the Revolutionary War and here officers and men of note were confined.

Provost Jail

The New Jail was made a Provost Prison during the Revolutionary War and here officers and men of note…

Richard Yates (January 18, 1818 – November 27, 1873) was governor of Illinois during the American Civil War and has been considered the greatest war governor during that period. When the war began Gov. Yates sent more Illinois troops to aid the Union than any other state. He also represented Illinois in the United States House of Representatives, 1851–1855 and as a U.S. Senator, 1865–1871.

Richard Yates

Richard Yates (January 18, 1818 – November 27, 1873) was governor of Illinois during the American…

Fort Pulaski was prepared for a possible infantry attack. However, Fort Pulaski never endured a direct land assault. With 36 guns, including the new James Rifled Cannon, Union troops began a long sustained bombardment of Fort Pulaski.

Breach in Fort Pulaski

Fort Pulaski was prepared for a possible infantry attack. However, Fort Pulaski never endured a direct…

"The sign on Putnam's tavern bore a full-length portrait of General Wolfe." -Lossing

Putnam's sign

"The sign on Putnam's tavern bore a full-length portrait of General Wolfe." -Lossing

"The French officer rescuing Putnam from the Indians." - Lossing

The Rescue of Israel Putnam from the Indians

"The French officer rescuing Putnam from the Indians." - Lossing

Rufus Putnam (April 9, 1738 &ndash; 1824) was a colonial military officer during the French and Indian War, and a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Rufus Putnam

Rufus Putnam (April 9, 1738 – 1824) was a colonial military officer during the French and Indian…

The Yazoo River was of major importance during the American Civil War. The first electrically detonated underwater mine was used on the river in 1862 near Vicksburg to sink the Union ironclad USS Cairo. The last section of the Cairo was raised on December 12, 1964. It has been restored and is now on permanent display to the public at the Vicksburg National Military Park. There are 29 sunken ships from the Civil War beneath the waters of the river.

Gunboats Ascending the Yazoo River

The Yazoo River was of major importance during the American Civil War. The first electrically detonated…

Sir James Lucas Yeo KCB (7 October 1782 &ndash; 21 August 1818) was a British Naval commander who served in the War of 1812. He participated in several sea battles during the Napoleonic Wars, so successfully that he was made a post captain at the age of 25. In 1810, he was knighted for his services. In 1812, he commanded the frigate HMS Southampton, then stationed in the Bahamas. He captured the American brig USS Vixen. Sir James's use of his small navy was always determined and skilful, but he was hampered by a lack of cooperation from the British army. The commander of these forces, Sir George Prevost, failed to follow up key advances made by Sir James at Sackett's Harbour and elsewhere that might have resulted in major British victories.

Sir James Lucas Yeo

Sir James Lucas Yeo KCB (7 October 1782 – 21 August 1818) was a British Naval commander who served…

The Great Seal of the State of Iowa. The seal pictures a soldier in wheat field with the American flag and the Mississippi River in the background. The eagle holds the motto, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain."

Seal of Iowa

The Great Seal of the State of Iowa. The seal pictures a soldier in wheat field with the American flag…

The Seal of the State of Massachusetts. The seal has a shield in the center with a Algonquin Native American holding a bow and arrow. Around the shield, is a blue ribbon with the state motto, 'Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem" which means "By the sword we seek peace, but only under liberty."

Seal of Massachusetts

The Seal of the State of Massachusetts. The seal has a shield in the center with a Algonquin Native…

The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota. The seal depicts a farmer plowing as a Native American rides by horseback. Above, the state motto reads, 'L'etoile du nord' meaning "Star of the North."

Seal of Minnesota

The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota. The seal depicts a farmer plowing as a Native American rides…

The view of Quaker Hill from the fort on Butt's Hill.

Quaker Hill

The view of Quaker Hill from the fort on Butt's Hill.

Henry Jarvis Raymond (January 24 1820 - June 18 1869) was an American journalist and politician.

Henry Jarvis Raymond

Henry Jarvis Raymond (January 24 1820 - June 18 1869) was an American journalist and politician.

Red Jacket (known as Otetiani in his youth and Sagoyewatha after 1780) (c. 1750&ndash;January 20, 1830) was a Native American Seneca orator and chief of the Wolf clan.

Red Jacket

Red Jacket (known as Otetiani in his youth and Sagoyewatha after 1780) (c. 1750–January 20, 1830)…

The Red River Campaign or Red River Expedition consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red River in Louisiana during the American Civil War. Pictured here is the fleet passing the dam.

Red River Expedition

The Red River Campaign or Red River Expedition consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red…

The Battle of Resaca was part of the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War.

Battle of Resaca

The Battle of Resaca was part of the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War.

Paul Revere (1735 - 1818) was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution.

Paul Revere

Paul Revere (1735 - 1818) was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution.

Governor Smith leaving Richmond during the American Civil War campaign against Richmond.

Governor Smith Leaving Richmond

Governor Smith leaving Richmond during the American Civil War campaign against Richmond.

Libby Prison was a Confederate Prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War.

Libby Prison, Richmond

Libby Prison was a Confederate Prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War.

The devastation in Richmond Virginia following the campaign against Richmond.

Devastation in Richmond

The devastation in Richmond Virginia following the campaign against Richmond.

The Great Seal of the State of New Mexico, 1850. The seal pictures the American Bald Eagle and the Mexican Eagle holding a cactus in its talons and a snake in its mouth. Below them is a banner with the state motto, 'Crescit Eundo' meaning "It grows as it goes."

Seal of New Mexico

The Great Seal of the State of New Mexico, 1850. The seal pictures the American Bald Eagle and the Mexican…

The Battle of Rich Mountain took place on July 11, 1861, in Randolph County, Virginia as part of the Operations in Western Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War.

Battle of Rich Mountain

The Battle of Rich Mountain took place on July 11, 1861, in Randolph County, Virginia as part of the…

James Brewerton Ricketts (June 21, 1817 &ndash; September 22, 1887) was a career officer in the United States Army, serving as a general in the Eastern Theater during the American Civil War.

James Brewerton Ricketts

James Brewerton Ricketts (June 21, 1817 – September 22, 1887) was a career officer in the United…