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Author Archives: Eric J. Wittenberg
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
5 Comments
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
9 Comments
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
Primary Sources: The National Tribune
One of my very favorite primary sources is The National Tribune. The Trib began as a monthly newspaper intended for Union veterans of the Civil War, and was published monthly until 1881. Beginning in 1881, it was published weekly, and continued to be … Continue reading
Posted in Primary Sources
Tagged Newspapers, Primary Sources, primary-sources-19, The National Tribune
3 Comments
Railroads – The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad: Confederate Target, Crucial Union Lifeline
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (“B&O”) was chartered in 1828 as one of the first commercial railroads in the world. Construction began that year, connecting Annapolis, Maryland to Wheeling in the far northwestern corner of antebellum Virginia. The B&O eventually … Continue reading
Railroads – The Virginia Central Railroad: A Target For Union Raids
The Virginia Central Railroad was chartered as the Louisa Railroad in 1836 by the Virginia Board of Public Works. The name was changed to the Virginia Central Railroad in 1850. It ran from westward from Richmond and ended in Gordonsville, … Continue reading
The Battle of Aiken: “Why spend the effort to write a book on a battle that didn’t last very long or have many casualties?”
“Why would you spend the time and effort to write a book on a battle that only lasted a few minutes and which had minimal casualties?” I wish I had a dollar for every time that I’ve been asked that … Continue reading
