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Category Archives: Primary Sources
“A Fury Unequaled”: A North Carolinian’s Account of Antietam
Finding personal accounts of battlefield experiences always raises my eyebrows, as it does for many of you. The details and immediate stories they contain are the stuff historians crave. When I read the account of James W. Shinn, a soldier … Continue reading
Of “Promotion,” Camp, Gossip, & Flirtation in August 1863
In late August 1863 – after returning from medical leave and a visit home – Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain wrote a letter to his wife Fanny, giving a glimpse of the “quiet days” of war. The moments at Gettysburg created only … Continue reading
Posted in Common Soldier, Primary Sources
Tagged Fanny Chamberlain, Joshua Chamberlain, primary source, soldier letters
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The Superhuman Henry Recor at the Petersburg Breakthrough
I have yet to find a Civil War story as compelling and consequential as that of Captain Charles G. Gould, the first Sixth Corps soldier to breach the Confederate lines on the morning of April 2, 1865. Union soldiers from … Continue reading
Mapping his way through the Carolinas: A profile of Major Robert M. McDowell (Part 2)
Maj. Robert M. McDowell was an engineering officer on the staff of Gen. Slocum during Sherman’s Carolinas campaign. His diary recounts the adventure. (Part two of two) Part of the army’s rear echelon, the staff major was not ordinarily in … Continue reading
Mapping his way through the Carolinas: A profile of Major Robert M. McDowell (Part 1)
(Part one of two) Recently while doing research at the Chemung Historical Society in Elmira, NY, I was delighted to discover the Civil War diary of Robert Morris McDowell in the collection, which revealed a new view of Gen. Sherman’s … Continue reading
Where is Aunt Becky?
As I was reading some old issues of the National Tribune the other day, I came across the following notice from the July 26, 1883. My mother’s name is Becky, so of course my cousins all call her “Aunt Becky,” … Continue reading
Posted in Civilian, Common Soldier, Medical, Newspapers, Primary Sources
Tagged Aunt Becky, City Point, City Point hospitals, Hospitals, National Tribune, Nonth Corps
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“The numbers of cannoneers is so small”
Lt. Edward Williston commanded Battery D, 2nd United States Artillery at the Battle of Antietam. While at the National Archives, I found this revealing letter about the issues Williston’s battery encountered on the Antietam battlefield due to a shortage of … Continue reading
Posted in Artillery, Battles, Leadership--Federal, Personalities, Primary Sources
Tagged Battle of Antietam, Edward Williston
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Runaway Slave Ad
I took a trip today to the Orange County (VA) Historical Society to do some research on some of the civilians who lived on the Mine Run battlefield. In the archives, I came across the following newspaper ad posted by … Continue reading
Posted in Antebellum South, Newspapers, Primary Sources, Slavery
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“Moulded in the form of a spread eagle”: Mosby’s Rangers, the Fourth of July, and a Dispute Over Cake
Independence Day in 1864 seemed like it could have been the last such celebration for the United States. The Presidential Election of 1864 loomed four months in the future, and a Lincoln reelection seemed very much in doubt. Jubal Early’s … Continue reading
The Dead Angle
“The Dead Angle,” from Sam Watkins’ Co. Aytch, Chapter XII: The First and Twenty-seventh Tennessee Regiments will ever remember the battle of “Dead Angle,” which was fought June 27th, on the Kennesaw line, near Marietta, Georgia. It was one of … Continue reading
Posted in Battles, Common Soldier, Primary Sources, Western Theater
Tagged 1st Tennessee, 27th Tennessee, Co. Aytch, Dead Angle, Kennesaw Line, Sam Watkins
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