Category Archives: Primary Sources

A Conversation with Carol Reardon (conclusion)

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Chris Mackowski

(part seven of a series) I’ve been talking this past week with Carol Reardon, who’s been one of the most successful Civil War scholars to bridge the gap between the academic world and the general public. Carol’s also been a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Holidays, Personalities, Primary Sources | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Civil War Nurse’s Book available for FREE!

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Sarah Kay Bierle

Got internet? Then you’ve got access to a Free E-Book via Google books and just in time for Women’s History Month.

Posted in Civilian, Primary Sources | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

A Conversation with Carol Reardon (part three)

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Chris Mackowski

(part three of a series) To help commemorate Women’s History Month, I’m talking this week with Carol Reardon, one of the most recognizable women working in military history today. Yesterday, Carol talked about her work not only as a Civil … Continue reading →

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Fact vs Interpretation at the Bloody Lane

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Chris Kolakowski

There is a movement afoot to reinterpret key parts of the Maryland Campaign. In some cases, battlefield interpretation is being changed or removed based on new sources and/or new perspectives. I am all for reexamining history based on new or … Continue reading →

Posted in Artillery, Battles, Leadership--Confederate, National Park Service, Primary Sources | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Leap Year Melancholy

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Edward S. Alexander

1864 was the Civil War’s leap year. I have not found too many references to leap day. The most notable campaign event on February 29, 1864 involved the Kirkpatrick-Dahlgren raiders travelling from Spotsylvania to Hanover on their route to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Newspapers, Primary Sources | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Another Look at Survival

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Sarah Kay Bierle

I’m getting ready to give a presentation to a round table this evening and have been reviewing my notes and what I’ll be sharing about Civil War medical practices and how those norms actually worked (or didn’t) during a campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Primary Sources | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Saving History Saturday: Volumes of Black History Records Sent For Preservation

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Emerging Civil War

Do we all dream of finding pieces of “lost history” deep in archives? What happens when books or documents have been recognized as historically important and need preservation before they can be fully read, explored, and used? An example of … Continue reading →

Posted in Preservation, Primary Sources, Slavery | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

“To Defy The Predictions Of The Universe”: A Wedding Goes Crazy, The Love Story Goes Well

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Sarah Kay Bierle

It’s February 14 and Valentine’s Day… So that means I get to bless (or torture) you with a blog post about a historic love story. Now, did you know that February 14 also happens to be a Union general’s birthday? … Continue reading →

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

“I helped…to pack haversacks and cartridge boxes”

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Emerging Civil War

Susie King Taylor accompanied the 33rd United States Colored Troops (originally designated as the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment) during their service. Her husband served in the unit, and she was officially listed as a laundress, though she also … Continue reading →

Posted in Primary Sources, USCT | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Member of the 8th Missouri Infantry Reflects on Why He Enlisted

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Kristen Pawlak

One of the most thorough and remarkable diaries I have come across from a Missouri soldier is from a non-commissioned officer in the 8th Missouri Infantry. A German immigrant and Peoria, Illinois resident, Phillip A. Smith joined the “American Zouaves” … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Soldier, Primary Sources, Trans-Mississippi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments