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Author Archives: Daniel Davis
For the Love of a Dog
Throughout much of his adult life, George A. Custer surrounded himself with dogs. His love and care for these animals can be found throughout the writings of his contemporaries. During the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, Custer posed for a photograph … Continue reading
A Challenge Answered: The Battle of Kelly’s Ford, March 17, 1863
William Woods Averell was usually considered an even-tempered individual. However, in the opening weeks of March, 1863 his blood had been brought to a boil. This mild mannered New Yorker, whose great grandfather had signed the Declaration of Independence, had … 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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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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Winter at White Oak Church
Between the ill-fated campaigns of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the Union Army of the Potomac spent the winter months of 1862-1863 encamped across the whole of Stafford County, Virginia. There are countless landmarks noted in the diaries, memories and letters of … Continue reading
Posted in Armies, Battlefields & Historic Places, Emerging Civil War, Monuments, Slavery
Tagged Sixth Corps, White Oak Church
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“Oh It Was a Terrible Day”: The Irish Brigade at Fredericksburg
The popular focus on the Battle of Fredericksburg is that of the Union Soldiers, time after time, engaging in failed assaults on the Confederate lines on the stonewall at the base of Marye’s Heights. Possibly the worst executed engagement of … Continue reading
A Pennsylvania Blacksmith Goes to War
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Charles R. Bowen found it fitting to include a brief biographical sketch of his father, Levi A. Bowen, in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County Pennsylvania. Charles was around thirty years of age … Continue reading
Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Campaigns, Common Soldier, Memory
Tagged Glendale, pennsylvania reserves, Seven Days Battles
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Quote of the Day
I recently came across a quote from a Veteran of the Indian Wars. I think it fits appropriately into this week on the blog of observing the 150th Anniversary of Antietam. The quote is original; I have not attempted to … Continue reading
From Iron for Granite: The Army Career of John Gibbon
On August 28, 1862, a Brigadier General would lead his novice brigade of Mid-Westerners against Stonewall Jackson’s hardened Veterans. The Battle of Brawner Farm saw the ascendency of one of the best known and hardest fighting units in the Army … Continue reading
Daffodil Cavaliers
The cavalry of the American Civil War are well known for their dashing appearance. During the 1860s, the horse Soldiers from both sides strove to adopt and emulate the appearance of the Cavaliers of Europe and of the American Revolution. … Continue reading
