sentences:  In the antebellum period, campus literary societies had sponsored debates on secession and slavery although the predominantly Methodist administration, faculty, and student body was staunchly abolitionist.Between 1861 and 1865, classes were curtailed by the Civil War; between 59 and 77 students and staff fought in the Union armies, 2 fought for the Confederacy, and seven ultimately died in the war.Despite the hostilities, Northwestern offered its first masters program (philosophy) beginning in 1863.