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Author Archives: Eric J. Wittenberg
The “Emerging Civil War Series” Series: Out Flew the Sabres
For me, writing Out Flew the Sabers with Dan Davis was an interesting experience. I had already published a 63,000-word monograph on the battle, and also wrote a detailed treatment that appeared in my book The Union Cavalry Comes of Age: … Continue reading
Why Do We Preserve Battlefields?
I was asked why we should protect battlefields today. That question surprised me, as I have always taken the answer for granted—we just do. But it seemed to be a legitimate, good faith question, so I harnessed my inner smarty … Continue reading
Chasing Uncle Billy: Breaching the Line of the Salkahatchie River (part two)
(part two of two) On February 1, 1865, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s might army crossed into South Carolina and began moving north. He kept his two wings separated for a variety of reasons: to confuse the Confederates as to … Continue reading
Chasing Uncle Billy: Breaching the Line of the Salkahatchie River (part one)
(part one of two) My friend and co-author Wade Sokolosky and I just spent the last three days chasing William T. Sherman’s march through South Carolina and part of North Carolina. Along the way, we both saw things we had … Continue reading
Do We Still Care About the Civil War: Eric Wittenberg
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. Of course, the … Continue reading
Posted in Ties to the War
Tagged Civil War Times, Do-We-Still-Care series, George Santayana
5 Comments
The Evolution of Cavalry Tactic: How Technology Drove Change (Part Eight)
(conclusion to a series) Young Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson, a member of the West Point class of 1861 who was known as Harry to his family and friends, commanded the Cavalry Corps of the Military Division of the Mississippi, … Continue reading
Posted in Arms & Armaments, Cavalry
Tagged Battle of Selma, Carolina Campaign of 1865, Cavalry Bureau, Cavalry tactics, Edward M. McCook, Eli Long, Emory Upton, James H. Wilson, Judson Kilpatrick, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Oscar LaGrange, Robert C. Tyler, Selma, The-Evolution-of-Cavalry-Tactics, Tuscaloosa
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The Evolution of Cavalry Tactics: How Technology Drove Change (Part Six)
(part six in a series) In the previous installment of this series, we demonstrated how the advent of rifled muskets and rifled artillery made the Napoleonic cavalry charge obsolete. Now, we will examine how the evolution of the technology employed … Continue reading
Posted in Arms & Armaments, Cavalry, Emerging Civil War
Tagged 1st District of Columbia Cavalry, 2nd Dragoons, Ballard, breech-loading carbines, Capt. Richard S. Ewell, cavalry, Cavalry tactics, Chickamauga, Christian Sharp, Christopher Spencer, Col. Robert Minty, George Gordon Meade, Henry Rifle, Hoover's Gap, James H. Wilson, Lindner, Merrill, musketoons, Napoleonic tactics, Philip H. Sheridan, Saber Brigade, Starr, The-Evolution-of-Cavalry-Tactics
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The Evolution of Cavalry Tactics: How Technology Drove Change (Part Five)
(part five in a series) Having established the backdrop for the meat of this discussion, we can now examine the actual impact of technological advances upon battlefield tactics for cavalry in the Civil War.
The Evolution of Cavalry Tactics: How Technology Drove Change (Part Four)
(part four in a series) During the early days of the Civil War, Dennis Hart Mahan’s teachings were implemented by the Union high command in particular. Gen. Winfield Scott vigorously resisted the incorporation of volunteer cavalry regiments into the Union … Continue reading
