Author Archives: Chris Mackowski

ECW Weekender: The Robert Ruark Inn in Southport, NC

Posted on June 23, 2017

While in Southport, North Carolina, recently for a speaking engagement with the Brunswick Civil War Roundtable, I had the pleasure of staying at the historic Robert Ruark Inn. It proved an ideal base of operations to explore the neighboring Civil … Continue reading →

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My Favorite Historical Person: Captain Sewell Gray

Posted on June 21, 2017

“Sabbath and a lovelier day never overtook a soldier,” wrote Capt. Sewell Gray on the day he died. It was Sunday, May 3, 1863, and Gray, a 22-year-old captain with the 6th Maine Infantry, was among 4,700 soldiers ordered to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Common Soldier | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

On Location: Atop Kennesaw Mountain

Posted on June 19, 2017

On June 19, 1864, Joseph Johnston’s Army of Tennessee slipped into its strongest defensive position of the Atlanta Campaign: Kennesaw Mountain. I went On Location, at the mountain’s crest, to take a look for myself; I also had the opportunity … Continue reading →

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Question of the Week: 6/19-6/25/17

Posted on June 19, 2017

In a recent guest post, historian Winifred Maloney recounted the appearance of reenactors from the 54th Massachusetts Infantry—the black unit depicted in the movie Glory—presenting the colors at a Boston Red Sox game. Her thoughtful commentary sparked a comment by … Continue reading →

Posted in Emerging Civil War, Memory, USCT | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

On Location: The Site of Leonidas Polk’s Death

Posted on June 15, 2017

On June 14, 1864, Confederate Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk was inspecting Federal movements from atop Pine Mountain when Federal artillery opened fire on him. I went On Location, on the anniversary of Polk’s death, to the spot where he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Campaigns, Leadership--Confederate, On Location, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Site of Leonidas Polk’s Death

Posted on June 14, 2017

I’m on location today at the site of Leonidas Polk’s death, which took place on this date in 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign. I’ll have a video posted later once I get to some better Internet, but I thought I … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Campaigns, Leadership--Confederate | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Chris Mackowski: Revisiting the North Anna River

Posted on June 8, 2017

So, I’m speaking at the Fourth Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge in August, where we’re focusing on “Great Defenses of the Civil War,” and my topic is the Confederate defense along the North Anna River. I’m supposed … Continue reading →

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On Location: Fort Fisher

Posted on June 6, 2017

At a recent speaking engagement along the Cape Fear River, I had the opportunity to spend some time at one of the Confederacy’s strongest spots: Fort Fisher.  

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Navies, On Location | 4 Comments

Hiram Lare Among the Unknown

Posted on May 31, 2017

Fredericksburg National Cemetery has the largest number of unidentified soldiers anywhere in the National Cemetery System. Last Saturday evening, at one of the tour stops for the cemetery’s annual Memorial Day luminaria ceremony, I had the privilege of talking about … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Common Soldier, Holidays, National Park Service | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Turnabout at North Anna

Posted on May 24, 2017

I think about the Army of the Potomac waking up on this day in 1864, ready to follow up on its successes of the previous day along the banks of the North Anna River, tentatively extending its reach southward only … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles, Emerging Civil War | Tagged | 1 Comment