Author Archives: Chris Kolakowski

Civil War Echoes: The Invasion of Okinawa

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Chris Kolakowski

75 years ago today American forces invaded Okinawa. I blogged about the battle’s significant Civil War connections last year.

Posted in Emerging Civil War | Leave a comment

Fact vs Interpretation at the Bloody Lane

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Chris Kolakowski

There is a movement afoot to reinterpret key parts of the Maryland Campaign. In some cases, battlefield interpretation is being changed or removed based on new sources and/or new perspectives. I am all for reexamining history based on new or … Continue reading →

Posted in Artillery, Battles, Leadership--Confederate, National Park Service, Primary Sources | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Buckner Graves

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Chris Kolakowski

Last June I visited the graves of Simon Bolivar Buckner Sr and Jr, who are buried with their wives in the Frankfort Cemetery in Kentucky. I blogged about both men before here.

Posted in Leadership--Confederate, Personalities, Ties to the War, Western Theater | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Wisconsin’s King Veterans Home

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Chris Kolakowski

On February 24 I visited the King Veterans Home, site of a second location of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The plaque giving its founding and history might be of interest to our readers.

Posted in Armies, On Location | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

In Memoriam: D. P. Newton

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

Chief Historian Chris Kolakowski (left) presents ECW’s Award for Service in Civil War Public History to D.P. Newton This morning the ECW community learned of the passing of D.P. Newton, a lifelong resident of Stafford County, Virginia. D.P. was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Emerging Civil War | 4 Comments

Do We Still Care About the Civil War: Chris Kolakowski

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

The cover story of the newest issue of Civil War Times asks, “Do we still care about the Civil War?” ECW is pleased to partner with Civil War Times to extend the conversation here on the blog. Does the Civil … Continue reading →

Posted in Ties to the War | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Civil War Echoes: Thomas Cook

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

Many readers have no doubt seen the news of the demise of the travel company Thomas Cook. Some may not be aware of the long history of the company, or its tie to the Civil War. Thomas Cook founded his … Continue reading →

Posted in Ties to the War | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Points About Stones River

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

Many of our readers get the preservation mailings from the American Battlefield Trust, asking to save land at various sites. The most recent one covers the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro) and seeks to save some land on the Federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Preservation | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Civil War Echoes: The Golden Spike

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

150 years ago today, at 12:47 PM local time, the Golden Spike was driven near Promontory Point, Utah. This ceremony (pictured) completed the Transcontinental Railroad by joining the Central Pacific and Union Pacific. At least two noteworthy Civil War veterans … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership--Federal, Personalities, Ties to the War, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Seniormost Deaths

Posted on April 6, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

Today in 1862, Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston was mortally wounded at the head of his troops during the Battle of Shiloh (or Pittsburg Landing). A plaque on the battlefield, placed by the War Department shortly after the park’s founding, … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles, Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal, Ties to the War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments