Tag Archives: Chicago

Saving History Saturday: Chicago’s G.A.R. Memorial Hall Reopening

Posted on March 5, 2022 by Emerging Civil War

The announcement has been made! In late March, the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall and Rotunda at the Chicago Cultural Center will reopen. It’s been closed for a year of renovations and preservation efforts.

Posted in Preservation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

2nd Maine veteran funded the monument to his regiment

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Brian Swartz

A veteran’s desire to immortalize the 2nd Maine Infantry Regiment in bronze and stone finally bore fruit more than a century after the outfit left central Maine to help save the Union. Born to lumberman Waldo Treat Peirce and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet, Websites & Blogs, Monuments | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Steve Bartman and the Battle of Chancellorsville

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Chris Kolakowski

In the past few weeks ESPN has been re-running the Alex Gibney film Catching Hell. The film focuses on Chicago and it’s reaction to Steve Bartman in 2003 after the Cubs lost that year’s National League Championship Series (NLCS). There … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Battles, Leadership--Federal, Ties to the War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Second City

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Chris Kolakowski

The Civil War defined America – that statement is heard often in many quarters. We use that phrase in ECW’s tagline. Many effects from that conflict are quite visible in today’s America, while others are not as apparent at first … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian, Economics, Ties to the War, Trans-Mississippi, Western Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Every Free, Able-bodied White Male Citizen: Two Examples of Militia Readiness in Antebellum America Part III                    

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Meg Groeling

Also in 1859, young Elmer Ellsworth became captain of a moribund militia company, the National Guard Cadets of Chicago, Illinois. Ellsworth had developed a statewide reputation as a drillmaster, and agreed to take on the challenge of rebuilding this group … Continue reading →

Posted in Antebellum South, Common Soldier, Memory, Personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

. . . and the Great State of Illinois . . .

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Meg Groeling

Thursday evening, on through the night, and into Friday morning was a huge time for Judge David Davis. He sent everything and every one he had to talk to delegates. Plans were laid and promises were made that were absolutely … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War Events, Civilian, Emerging Civil War, Newspapers, Politics, Ties to the War | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Meg Groeling

When Judge Davis realized that Thurlow Weed had made sure that plenty of folks were in Chicago to represent Seward, he turned to Ward Hill Lamon for help. Lamon was familiar with all aspects of Chicago society, and he knew … Continue reading →

Posted in Personalities, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Days Of Wine & Politics!

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Meg Groeling

Yesterday’s post, “WeedPAC & the FOS,” introduced the players in the events of the 1860 Republican National Convention in Chicago. Each man, in his own way, worked to elect Abraham Lincoln, but it was by no means an easy task. … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian, Personalities, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

WeedPAC & the FOS (Friends of Seward)

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Meg Groeling

Lincoln’s greatest challenge in Chicago was the U. S. senator from New York, William Seward. Experienced, and well financed by the nascent “machine” of Thurlow Weed, the leading New York political operative, Seward seemed to be the most qualified candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in Personalities, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Republican Convention Site Is Chosen & the Dirty Tricks Begin!

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Meg Groeling

Just as political parties wrangle now, so it has always been. In mid-December of 1859, Chicago’s finest, or maybe just Chicago’s wiliest–Norman Judd–went to New York City with one purpose in mind: to get the Republican Convention of 1860 held … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian, Personalities, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment