Category Archives: Leadership–Federal
Fateful Lightning: Was Sherman’s March To the Sea a War Crime? Part II
On November 15 1864, Sherman began marching south, dividing his army into two wings. On November 22, a large (4,500) group of Confederate soldiers under General Pleasant J. Phillips met part (1,500) of the right wing of Sherman’s troops, commanded … Continue reading
Fateful Lightning: Was Sherman’s March To the Sea a War Crime? Part I
You might as well appeal against the thunder-storm as against these terrible hardships of war. They are inevitable, and the only way the people of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home, is to stop the war, … Continue reading
“Uncle John” — R.I.P.
The monument to “Uncle John” Sedgwick, who was killed by a sharpshooter on May 9, 1864–149 years ago today at the Battle of Spotsylvania. “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance,” Sedgwick said just before taking a bullet below … Continue reading
Where Did Joe Hooker Lose the Battle of Chancellorsville?
One hundred and fifty years ago today, the Army of the Potomac sat safely on the north side of the Rappahannock River after being manhandled by the Army of Northern Virginia during the battle of Chancellorsville. As my colleague Kris … Continue reading
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
To Bind Up the Nation’s Wounds
Lincoln visited Richmond after the city fell in April 1865 and lingered hoping Lee would surrender his army quickly. On April 8, he returned to Washington DC. Six days later he was assassinated. Here Lincoln sits with his son, Tad, … 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
The Other Fort Rosecrans
For most Civil War aficionados, Fort Rosecrans shows up on their radar screen just outside Murfreesboro, Tennessee. There, in the months after its bruising victory over the Confederate Army of Tennessee at the Battle of Stones River, the Union Army … 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
