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Author Archives: Caroline Davis
Fallen Leaders: George Custer and the Question of Leadership
Over the past month, we have read many stories about fallen leaders of the American Civil War. We have mostly looked at those who have lost their lives in the midst of battle or its aftermath. However, a sometimes-forgotten fallen … Continue reading
A Poet’s Perspective: Melville on Running the Batteries at Vicksburg
It was the spring of 1863, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was concocting a plan to seize the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. As President Abraham Lincoln had made clear, Vicksburg was key to achieving victory over the Confederates and ending … Continue reading
Posted in Battles, Navies
Tagged herman melville, run the batteries, Siege of Vicksburg
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A Poet’s Perspective: Melville On Pickett’s Charge
So few poets chose to write about the American Civil War that it is sometimes described as the “unwritten war.” Herman Melville, however, was among the few who chose to do so. His collection of poems on the war, in … Continue reading
Posted in Battles
Tagged Battle of Gettysburg, Civil War poetry, herman melville, Pickett's Charge, poetry
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A Poet’s Perspective: On Stonewall Jackson’s Death
“I have always desired to die on Sunday.” — General Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson. On May 2, 1863, shots rang out from the 18th North Carolina line in the woods at Chancellorsville. Unbeknownst to the soldiers at the time, they were … Continue reading
A Poet’s Perspective: Melville and The Stone Fleet
I have a feeling for those ships, Each worn and ancient one, With great bluff bows, and broad in the beam; Ay, it was unkindly done. But so they serve the Obsolete— Even so, Stone Fleet! It was apparent from … Continue reading
A Poet’s Perspective: March into Virginia
By July 1861, the tension described in “Misgivings” and “The Conflict of Convictions” had been realized. The United States was at war with itself. In his poem “March Into Virginia,” Melville describes the first battle fought between the North and … Continue reading
Posted in Battles, Ties to the War
Tagged Bull Run, Civil War poetry, Irvin McDowell, P.G.T. Beauregard
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A Poet’s Perspective: Herman Melville and the Civil War
It was November of 1860, and America had a new president. He was highly popular among the northern states, but he was widely disliked in the South. At the same time you have Herman Melville, famous for his 1851 novel … Continue reading
My Favorite Historical Person: Antonia Ford
The art of spying is as old as war itself, or so it has been said. While many people when asked who is their favorite figure from the Civil War would immediately think of generals and politicians, I tend to … Continue reading
Posted in Civilian, Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal, Personalities
Tagged Antonia Ford, civil war spy, edward stoughton, Edwin Stanton, Fairfax County, favorite17, frankie abel, J.E.B. Stuart, John S. Mosby, joseph willard, lafayette baker, old capital prison, spies, women during the civil war, women spies
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Union Balloon Corps: Part 3
(Part 1 and Part 2 are available for reference.) The Union Balloon Corps received little recognition for its successes, and many in the military Sevens Days Battles considered them nothing more than entertainment. The conclusion of the Seven Days Battles, … Continue reading
Union Balloon Corps: Part 2
After thoroughly impressing President Lincoln with the ability to gather and transmit intelligence from the air, Thaddeus Lowe was granted funding to start producing hot-air balloons for the Union Army. He named the first balloon Union.
