We know how George Armstrong Custer met his end. But did you know he fought in the Civil war from the first major battle all the way to Appomattox?We have copies of his correspondence with several friends that were then fighting for the South. That’s Custer on the right above. And by the way, the
His Court Martial Almost Ended It Read More »
Take a trip through living history by visiting Lexington, Virginia, home of the Virginia Military Institute. Known simply as VMI, the school has one of the longest and proudest histories of any college in the South. Stonewall Jackson taught in its classrooms, Robert E. Lee spent his last years just next door, and its young
Explore – Generals and Professors: The Virginia Military Institute Read More »
General Dwight Eisenhower retired with five stars on his shoulders. He was the Supreme Allied Commander of World War II. Later, he became the President of the United States. In 1960, Leon Scott wrote Eisenhower a letter. It began: Dear Mr. President: At the Republication Convention I heard you mention that you have the pictures
General Eisenhower on Robert E. Lee Read More »
December, 1863, near Dalton, Georgia. The Rebels are on top of Rocky Face Ridge, taking fire from cannons below. “Hold on, boys,” says a sharpshooter, “I’ll stop that racket.” His rifle cracks. Sure enough, things get quiet. But not for long. Soon, “the valley below is full of blue coats.” Private Sam Watkins’ Company H
“Hurrah for the brave rebel boy!” Read More »
Time for another tale of Private Sam Watkins. General Bragg ordered Sam’s First Tennessee Regiment to rearguard duty. It was not much fun: “You don’t move more than ten feet at furthest before you have to halt…. You haven’t time to sit down a moment before you are ordered to move on again. And the
“A minnie ball passes through my Bible.” Read More »
Some customers have decided to boycott Dick’s Sporting Goods because they have recently made a decision to not sell any assault weapons to people. The sporting goods store decided not to sell any weapons because of a recent attack at a school where the gunman had bought a gun from Dick’s Sporting Goods and used
There were many Confederate officers who went on to serve in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. One such officer was Thomas Rosser, a very successful cavalry commander.Thomas Rosser and George Custer had been roommates at West Point. Custer called Rosser “Tex,” and Custer was “Fanny.” (Custer’s long, blond hair also earned him the
“Friendly” Enemies: “Tex” and “Fanny” Read More »
In school we learned about the Monitor and the Merrimac. But the Merrimac was not its name when it battled the Monitor. It was actually Confederate Ship Virginia, and was never defeated in battle. Its Union nickname was “Rebel Monster.”Virginia did start her life as the wood-hulled Merrimak (yes, with a k, historians misspelled it).
The “Rebel Monster” and the Battle of the Ironclads Read More »
The day was overcast, winds blowing hard as the Warships neared each other. The War of 1812 between Britain and America had just begun. The USS Constitution and the HMS Guerriere were now enemies. Captain Hull was in command of the Constitution, and we have his report. “The Gallant crew gave three cheers” when Hull
Old Ironsides in Battle Read More »
The world’s oldest ship still in commission is the USS Constitution, launched in 1797. Paul Revere forged her copper spikes and bolts, as well as the copper sheathing on the underwater part of the hull. One of her early captains was Commodore Edward Preble. He fought in the American Revolution (1775 – 1783), and was
“I will fire a shot into you” Read More »
