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Author Archives: Derek Maxfield
Sherman’s Huzzah
While many minds are on Gettysburg, early July always finds me reflecting on the siege and surrender at Vicksburg. In the larger picture, I have always found the Vicksburg victory more important because it leads to the important result of … Continue reading
The Post-Shiloh Musings of General Sherman
There is little doubt that the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, changed not only the nature of the American Civil War, but also the trajectory of William Tecumseh Sherman’s career. Going into the battle Sherman was working diligently to … Continue reading
Posted in Battles, Primary Sources
Tagged Battle of Shiloh, Henry Halleck, Newspapers, Primary Sources, William T. Sherman
2 Comments
“Reflections” on Lincoln by Alexander Stephens
It is well known that President Abraham Lincoln and Alexander H. Stephens, who served as Vice President of the Confederacy during the Civil War, were friends despite being on opposite sides of the war. Becoming acquainted during their service in … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal, Lincoln, Politics
Tagged Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Stephens, Hellmira
54 Comments
A Beecher ventures to Corning
Elmira can be an unforgiving, frigid place to spend time – even if you are well clothed and sheltered. For a Confederate soldier from the deep South suddenly transported to the prisoner of war camp there it could be a … Continue reading
Posted in Civilian
Tagged civil war religion, Elmira Prison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, politics, Thomas Beecher
2 Comments
Gen. Sherman Sends Christmas Greetings to His Children
During a break from the scourge of war, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman penned a Christmas letter to his daughter Maria, whom he affectionately calls “Minnie.” The general and his army were in occupation of Savannah, Georgia, after a long march … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays, Primary Sources
Tagged Christmas, Minnie Sherman, Savannah, William T. Sherman
4 Comments
Sherman’s Christmas, 1864
I love this image from Leslie’s Illustrated depicting General William Tecumseh Sherman placing the city of Savannah, Georgia, in Uncle Sam’s stocking. Sherman arrived in front of Savannah in December after marching his army across Georgia from Atlanta in an … Continue reading
Sherman in Savannah . . . Sort of
Before the pandemic shut down the production, a colleague – Tracy Ford – and I traveled the country performing the three-act play Now We Stand by Each Other Always about the friendship between Union generals Ulysses S. Grant and William … Continue reading
Ithaca Book Sale…Like A Pilgrimage For The Historian
If you are into history, then you are into books. That is just the way it is. And if this is true, you need to go to Ithaca, NY, for the semi-annual book extravaganza. The pandemic has been cruel is … Continue reading
A Crabby Inmate Recalled at Point Lookout
Perusing prison camp literature recently, I came across an amusing story written by Thad J. Walker of the 2nd Maryland Cavalry. An inmate at Point Lookout – a Union-run prisoner of war camp – Walker recorded a comrade’s first encounter … Continue reading
Posted in Emerging Civil War
Tagged civil war humor, Point Lookout, prisoners of war
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Home Libraries: A Cat To Complete The Collection
No library is complete without a cat… My home library boasts about 1500 volumes. About half of that is Civil War books. Unfortunately, as my collections has grown the burden has been moving it many times. I am certain some … Continue reading
Posted in Books & Authors
Tagged cat, Civil War books, home-libraries, tales-from-the-home-libraries
3 Comments
