Lieutenant Alexander Douglas could it no longer. The cries stirred him to action. Douglas had been born on Christmas Day of 1833 in South Carolina, a land that was first settled by the English in 1670. Early Americans battled Redcoats there in the Revolutionary War, and later, in 1865, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman burned
Mercy at Gettysburg Read More »
A lot of folks tell us what the Civil War was all about. Professors and reporters and “very important” people tell us. And with what conviction they tell us! But I rarely hear from the scholars about why the man in uniform was fighting. Seems the soldier is simply forgotten. Sure, we hear “what the
“All were American soldiers…” Read More »
Few Confederate units carry a name as haunting as the Orphan Brigade. Officially the 1st Kentucky Brigade, these men came from a state that never left the Union. When Kentucky fell under Federal control early in the war, the Kentuckians who had gone South to fight could not go home again. They fought for four
Flags of the Kentucky Orphan Brigade Read More »
The Civil War produced many fine shooters, and some made their way into sharpshooter units. Champion marksman Hiram Berdan of New York raised a Union sharpshooter unit. To qualify, volunteers had to put ten shots in a circle of 10 inches from 200 yards. Berdan’s Sharpshooters wore green uniforms, like the reenactor above. Sharp’s rifles,
Civil War Sharpshooters Read More »
If you have spent much time reading here, you probably know Private Sam Watkins of Company H, First Tennessee Infantry. Sam had a keen eye for nonsense, and his tales were often told with humor. He saw things as the man on the firing line, from the bottom of the totem pole. In his
The Civil War Private Read More »
It was July 31st, 1861. Federal troops were just north of Manassas, Virginia. There were many who thought they would send the Rebels reeling, putting an end to the rebellion. The day was Sunday, and a throng of civilian sightseers had come down from the U.S. capitol, just 25 miles away. Lieutenant Tibdall commanded a
“Turn back, turn back! We’re whipped.” Read More »
“All were American soldiers…” We often hear today what the Civil War was all about. Professors and reporters and “very important” folks tell us. And with what conviction they tell us! But I rarely hear from the scholars about why the man in uniform was fighting. Seems the soldier is simply forgotten. I usually write
“All were American Soldiers…” Read More »
Robert E. Lee deserves a monument. He was actually against slavery during the Civil War, but his unwavering sense of loyalty to his people, “his country”, of Virginia, kept him from siding with the Union. He was actually given command of the Union Army, but gave up his reputation and property to protect those he
St. Clair: Lee deserves a monument Read More »
An unmarked intersection at the corner of Hitchcock Road and Highway 68 commonly known as Confederate Corner will be renamed Springtown the Monterey County Board of Supervisors decided on Tuesday. A county-wide survey determined the new name but the Supervisors decided to go with the second runner-up for the corner to better reflect local history.
‘Confederate Corners’ will be renamed ‘Springtown’ Read More »
It is one of the most common questions people ask about Robert E. Lee: did he ever regret fighting for the South? Lee’s own words, written and spoken before, during and after the war, give a clear answer. He grieved over the suffering the war brought, and he worked hard for peace once it was
Did Robert E. Lee have any Regrets? Read More »
