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Monthly Archives: February 2013
The Future of Civil War History: Looking Beyond the 150th
Very soon I will leave the warmth of the Sunshine State to head north, bracing myself for the vicissitudes of late winter in March. Fortunately my destination is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania —that compelling beacon to Civil War-era scholars. Gettysburg College, Gettysburg … Continue reading
History in your Backyard!
Last semester I was driving along an unfamiliar road near Morgantown, on my way to a local historical site, Depression-era Arthurdale, that I am working on a project with when I saw it. As a Civil War historian who happens … Continue reading
Mississippi Finally “Bans” Slavery
So you may have heard that last week Mississippi finally banned slavery. Now this is not to say that the state has been stuck in an Antebellum/Civil War timewarp for the past century and a half. But apparently there were … Continue reading
A Challenge Issued: Skirmish at Hartwood Church
The cold morning stillness was shattered as the column of riders splashed across Kelly’s Ford. Snow had come just two days before, on George Washington’s birthday. This recent burst slowed but did not deter these gray clad troopers as they … Continue reading
Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Civil War Events, Emerging Civil War, Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal
Tagged 124th New York Infantry, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry, 4th New York Cavalry, 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Berea Church, Fitzhugh Lee, Hartwood Church, William Averell
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The Golden Opportunity at Evelynton Heights
Exactly one year before the Battle of Gettysburg Confederate James Ewell Brown “JEB” Stuart made possibly an even costlier mistake. He lost Evelynton Heights. Evelynton is the name attributed to both the plantation home of the Ruffin family (the same family … Continue reading
Does the American Civil War Need a Theme Song?
Like so many, I have been captivated by the mournfully lovely tune “Ashokan Farewell.” I am sure most of us first heard it when we were watching Ken Burns’s The Civil War, and wondered about it. I knew I had … Continue reading
For Presidents Day
Although not one of the presidents typically associated with Presidents Day, here are a couple of quick snapshots from a weekend visit to Ulysses S. Grant’s burial site in New York City.
Winter Responsibility
Throughout the winter of 1862 and into 1863, the Army of the Potomac slept. These cold months spent in Stafford County were not without activity. On February 6, 1863 new commander Joseph Hooker issued a General Order consolidating his various … Continue reading
Posted in Armies, Common Soldier, Emerging Civil War
Tagged 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, Picket Duty, Stafford County
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Fredericksburg in Harrisburg
Moment of Mercy by sculptor Terry Jones at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA
