Category Archives: Western Theater

Capt. Samuel Jones Ridley at the Battle of Champion Hill

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Kevin Pawlak

Just after noon on May 16, 1863, Federals of John Logan’s and Alvin Hovey’s divisions smashed into the left flank of John Pemberton’s Army of Vicksburg on the Champion Hill battlefield. Pemberton’s left threatened to buckle under the pressure. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Artillery, Battles, Emerging Civil War, Leadership--Confederate, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

My Bridge: Moving Beyond Virginia

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Sarah Kay Bierle

No, it’s not literally my bridge, but this structure – which I’ve yet to see on location – has become a symbol and inspiration. I’ll try to explain…

Posted in Western Theater | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

(Obscure) Civil War Weekend Exploring

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Dave Powell

How far out of your way would you go to see something related to your favorite battlefield Park? I confess that I visit plenty of obscure historical sites. Goes with the territory, I guess. I visit artifacts, too. When the … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, National Park Service, Western Theater | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The 25th Missouri Infantry at Shiloh

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Kristen Pawlak

“After mature deliberation [Colonel Everett Peabody] decided to do as above stated – attack, and thus give the alarm to those in our rear, so that they could turn out and make some resistance to the overwhelming force, and not … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles, Western Theater | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

“Blowed to Freedom!”: Abraham and the Vicksburg Mine

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Meg Groeling

Every February ECW does a series of posts about African Americans and the Civil War. There are many from which to choose, but I have made it my mission, as it were, to find those who are not as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles, Campaigns, Civilian, Common Soldier, Memory, Personalities, Sieges, Slavery, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

USS Mississippi Visits Okinawa

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in the Far East to open up relations with Japan. His first flagship was USS Mississippi, a side-wheel steamer. Before going to Tokyo, Perry stopped at Okinawa to deal with the Okinawan king regarding … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership--Federal, Navies, Ties to the War, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Primary Sources: Thoughts and Favorites

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

A primary source is defined as one produced by an eyewitness to an event offering their recollections. Some primary sources provide just basic facts with limited additional details. Other sources, like battle reports, provide more details but often offer little … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal, Primary Sources, Trans-Mississippi, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Final Legacy of the Civil War Generation

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Chris Kolakowski

The Civil War reshaped and defined the United States in ways still very visible today. That is enough for one generation, right? Yet the Civil War generation also led the United States throughout the late 19th Century of industrialization, expansion, … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal, Ties to the War, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Question of the Week: 12/17-12/23/18

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Emerging Civil War

We’ve been talking about the Battle of Fredericksburg a lot recently…so let’s give the Western Theater and campaigns in the deep South some attention. In your opinion, which winter battle/campaign in those regions was most important? Why?

Posted in Question of the Week, Western Theater | Tagged , , | 12 Comments