Category Archives: Leadership–Federal

General Francis Barlow and The Letters He Destroyed on July 1, 1863

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Sarah Kay Bierle

General Francis C. Barlow placed his division of the Union XI Corps on a rise of high ground, north of the town of Gettysburg. Without adequate reinforcements to anchor a defensive line, his exposed troops took the brunt of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership--Federal, Slavery, USCT | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“My Responsibility For These Men”: A Leadership Letter from Petersburg

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Sarah Kay Bierle

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain has received criticism in recent decades for some of his writings which have been questioned for accuracy, purpose, and perspective. As a professor, educator, and gifted writer, Chamberlain seemed to seek a refuge in post-war writings – … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles, Leadership--Federal, Primary Sources | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“As glorious a death as a man can die”: Col. Guilford Bailey at the Battle of Seven Pines

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Kevin Pawlak

Silas Casey’s Federals huddled behind their breastworks constituting the division’s main line of defense and listened to the growing cacophony of musketry and artillery to their front. For nearly two hours, they heard Confederate attacks slam against Casey’s front line … Continue reading →

Posted in Artillery, Battles, Emerging Civil War, Leadership--Federal, Personalities | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

General Hartsuff’s Nine Lives

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Frank Jastrzembski

With a bullet wound to his left arm and a ball lodged in his chest, 25-year-old Lieutenant George L. Hartsuff submerged himself in a pond of brackish water hoping to evade detection. He did everything in his power to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership--Federal, Personalities | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

I fits mit Sigel – New Market, May 15, 1864

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Dave Powell

There are certain figures in Civil War history who are always good for an easy laugh. Braxton Bragg, on harmonious leadership. George McClellan, concerning rapid movement. Franz Sigel. On, well, most anything.

Posted in Battles, Campaigns, Leadership--Federal | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Civil War Echoes: The Golden Spike

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

150 years ago today, at 12:47 PM local time, the Golden Spike was driven near Promontory Point, Utah. This ceremony (pictured) completed the Transcontinental Railroad by joining the Central Pacific and Union Pacific. At least two noteworthy Civil War veterans … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership--Federal, Personalities, Ties to the War, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

With Sedgwick at Spotsylvania

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Edward S. Alexander

Nothing like a monument dedication to spark some controversy. Subscribers to the National Tribune veterans’ newspaper or the Southern Historical Society Papers could expect a flurry of related articles immediately after a new monument appeared. John Watson Mauk, the Pennsylvania … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles, Leadership--Federal, Monuments, Primary Sources | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Night March into Fredericksburg, May 2-3, 1863

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Edward S. Alexander

The orders made no sense. Their recipient lacked the creativity to make them work. The Union army dawdled as its commanders traded confused messages, while Lee and Jackson struck their masterpiece victory. To explain why Joseph Hooker’s Chancellorsville campaign failed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles, Campaigns, Leadership--Federal | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

George B. McClellan Papers Now Available Digitally

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Ryan Quint

Say what you will about George McClellan– a great organizer, though timid in combat; beloved by his soldiers though a bane to Lincoln’s cabinet. Or maybe you’re an avid McClellan devotee, who defends the Young Napoleon to any passerby you … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Leadership--Federal, Primary Sources | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

From West to East – John Pope and Counter-Insurgency, Part II

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Kristen Pawlak

(Part II in a series) In June 1862, John Pope assumed command of the Eastern Theater’s newest army made up of disparate forces – the Army of Virginia. Unfortunately, Pope’s strong ego and dislike for the Army of the Potomac’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership--Federal | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments