Showing results for "Chancellorsville"
The “Fighting Naturalist” of the 19th Massachusetts
It was hot and muggy most of the time. It rained frequently and the men made acquaintance of the “wood tick,” and enumerable bugs and specimens of insect life hitherto unknown to them. The very earth moved with “new life.” Sticks and twigs were endowed with motion. The men would watch a black twig two […]
Read more...Occupied Cities of the South: Alexandria, Virginia
Part of a Series Ripples of fear and uncertainty spread throughout the United States when war broke out between the North and the South in 1861. In every state, citizens worried that war could arrive at their front door at any moment. Nowhere was this fear more intense than in Alexandria, Virginia. Alexandria was a […]
Read more...Sunrise at Salem Church
Historic Salem Church looked exceptionally pretty in the morning light earlier today. This sanctuary was fought over during the Chancellorsville Campaign in May 1863 as Union General John Sedgwick tried to advance west and Confederates hurried to block his route.
Read more...ECW Weekender: Hiking at Bentonville Battlefield
In mid-February some work travels took me to the Carolinas, and I decided to take a stretch break at Bentonville Battlefield in North Carolina. After exploring the welcoming visitor center and getting a map, I headed out on the trails. Come take a hike through some of the photos! The battle of Bentonville occurred on […]
Read more...Book Review: The Howling Storm
The Howling Storm: Weather, Climate, and the American Civil War By Kenneth W. Noe Louisiana State University Press, 2020, $59.95 hardcover Reviewed by Meg Groeling I rarely make statements like this, but Kenneth W. Noe’s book The Howling Storm is an exception: If you write about the military side of the American Civil War, you must own […]
Read more...The Myth of Mrs. Bixby’s Letter
One of my favorite movie scenes of all time comes from Saving Private Ryan when Gen. George Marshall, informed about the deaths of three brothers, tells his staff that they’re going to send a special mission to retrieve a fourth, surviving brother. The staff protests, but Marshall will have none of it. Director Steven Spielberg […]
Read more...Book Review: Voices of the Army of the Potomac
Voices of the Army of the Potomac: Personal Reminiscences of Union Veterans By Vincent L. Burns Casemate Publishers, 2021 $37.95 hardcover Reviewed by Doug Crenshaw “Here is recorded the small talk of camp, and many incidents that are too trivial for big histories… And one can get a very fair idea of the manner of […]
Read more...ECW Weekender: Vicksburg National Military Park
An ECW colleague emailed me a note the other day: “I’m reading the Vicksburg/Tullahoma book, and really enjoyed your article about visiting Vicksburg. I’ve never been and I’m more motivated now than ever.” The article he mentioned was based on this blog series, which I wrote in 2018 while on a video tour of the […]
Read more...Fallen Leaders: Maine’s Hiram Berry
Haunted by a premonition, Maj. Gen. Hiram Berry recklessly exposed himself to Confederate snipers at Chancellorsville and paid the price for his carelessness. A 36-year-old Rockland (Maine) merchant in spring 1861, the physically robust Berry led the 4th Maine Infantry Regiment at First Manassas. Promoted to brigadier the following spring, he commanded the 3rd Brigade […]
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