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Question of the Week: 9/26-10/2/16
Mexican-American War 170th: Battle of Monterrey, Conclusion
This post wraps-up ECW’s 170th Anniversary coverage of the Battle of Monterrey. Click here for the other posts relating to the battle.
For three days, the American and Mexican armies had fought for control of the city of Monterrey. Now, as American soldiers watched on, Gen. Pedro de Ampudia brought his defeated forces out of the city and marched south into the heartland of Mexico.
ECW’s September Newsletter Now Available
If you haven’t seen it yet, the September edition of the Emerging Civil War newsletter is now out. This week’s 10-question interview features Meg Groeling. Plus there’s info about new book releases by Dave Powell and Chris Kolakowski, news & notes, and a look at ECW’s contributions to Virginia Tech’s Essential Civil War Curriculum.
Can you guess where the cover image for this month’s newsletter was taken?
Baseball In The Blue And Gray (Part 2)
Emerging Civil War welcomes guest author Michael Aubrecht for Part 2 of his article. (You can find Part 1 here.)
Abner Doubleday
It has been disputed for decades whether Union General Abner Doubleday was in fact the “father of the modern game.” Many baseball historians still reject the notion that Doubleday designed the first baseball diamond and drew up the modern rules. Nothing in his personal writings corroborates this story, which was originally put forward by an elderly Civil War veteran, Abner Graves, who served under him. Still, the City of Cooperstown, New York dedicated Doubleday Field in 1920 as the “official” birthplace of organized baseball. Later, Cooperstown became the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Continue reading
Mexican-American War 170th: Battle of Monterrey, pt. 3
The past two days of action had led to this moment. Locked in combat on Sept. 21 and 22, the Mexican and American armies in Monterrey prepared for the final day of fighting. For Zachary Taylor, his lackluster decisions had caused extremely heavy casualties with little to show for it on the eastern side of the city, while his subordinate Brig. Gen. William Worth steadily chipped away at the western approaches. And for Pedro de Ampudia, this was his last chance to beat the American invaders, with his troops ensconced in homes leading towards the city’s central plaza. The stage was set for the grand finale to the Battle of Monterrey.
Baseball In The Blue And Gray (Part 1)
Emerging Civil War is pleased to welcome back guest author Michael Aubrecht
Civil War Baseball Sketch
It is considered America’s National Pastime, but far more than just a mere sporting event, baseball has become a major part of the American consciousness. During war, following natural disaster, or in the midst of economic hardship, this game has always provided an emotional escape for people from every race, religion and background who can collectively find solace at the ballpark. Therefore, it somehow seems fitting that the origins of modern baseball can be traced back to a divided America, when the country was in the midst of a great Civil War. Despite the political and social grievances that resulted in the separation of the North and South, both sides shared some common interests, such as playing baseball. Continue reading
Mexican-American War 170th: Battle of Monterrey, pt. 2
In the wake of the bloody fighting around Monterrey, Mexico on Sept. 21, 1846 “a cold, chilly rain” began to fall on the combatants. As soldiers scurried for cover to get out of the deluge, Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor sought to continue his advance against the city that extracted blood for every step taken.[1]
The columns Taylor had sent straight into Monterrey on Sept. 21 were in no way ready to continue the fighting on Sept. 22—still recovering from the appalling losses to both officers and enlisted men. That left Brig. Gen. William J. Worth, whose division had captured Federation Hill the day before with few casualties. The action on September 22 would focus entirely on what Worth could accomplish. Separated from Taylor, it fell to Worth to make the strategic and tactical decisions that would help the American army get into Monterrey.
ECW on C-SPAN: Longstreet at Chickamauga
This Saturday at 6 p.m., C-SPAN 3 brings you the keynote address from the Third Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge. Jim Ogden, historian at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, spoke on James Longstreet’s assault at Chickamauga. Here’s a preview:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?413636-3/general-james-longstreets-assault-chickamauga
And in case you missed last week’s primer on Civil War tactics by Dave Powell, you can see the entire episode here.
Mexican-American War 170th: Battle of Monterrey, pt. 1
On the evening of September 20, 1846, Maj. Philip Barbour of the 3rd US infantry sat overlooking the city of Monterrey and wrote in his journal. “There is quite a fire going on in the direction of the city.” Before finishing his passage for the night, Barbour, a veteran of Zachary Taylor’s earlier battles in the year, wrote, “I feel as calm and collected as if I were in the Astor House, having long since made up my mind that, during a time of war, my life is the rightful property of my country, and cannot be taken from me, or preserved, except by the fiat of the great God who gave it. And to His will, whatever it be, I am perfectly resigned.” Barbour closed his journal and prepared for the coming day.[1]
The Mosby Heritage Area Association
For Kevin Pawlak, history is a story. And much like tales of princesses and knights, he said historic accounts have the ability to impassion people, too.
Pawlak, education specialist for the Mosby Heritage Area Association, said the organization focuses on instilling a call to action in others, forming stewardship of the area’s rich historic landscape through education of that landscape’s historic resources.
The Mosby Heritage Area Association, an education-based 501(C)3, presents historical programs to both adults and youth, hosting community events and in-school lectures. Since its establishment more than twenty years ago, discussions have focused on a variety of historic topics, including the Civil Rights Movement, the Revolutionary War, and of course the Civil War. Continue reading
