Canawlers: The 25th Anniversary Collection

The Fitzgeralds made their living on the C&O Canal, but the Civil War brought them problems. Can they survive when caught in the crossfire between two nations?

Body: Hugh Fitgerald proudly calls himself a "canawler." He works on the C&O Canal transporting coal nearly 185 miles between Cumberland and Georgetown in Maryland. For nine months a year, he and his family live on their canal boat, working hard to earn enough to get through the lean winter months.

That became a lot harder in 1862. To ...