No Civil War trip to Charleston, South Carolina, is complete without a trip to see one of the most famous—and mysterious—stories of the entire war. It also represents one of the greatest conservation stories related to the war, as well.
This Friday marks the 153rd anniversary of the Hunley‘s fateful mission.
February 14–a day set aside to celebrate one’s romantic side–often comes under attack as being invented by card companies just for profit. I disagree. I have written here at least one other time about the celebration of this holiday during the 1860s, and I continue to think of it as a time for a soldier to think about something other than war for at least a few hours. Not that that is all they were thinking about, but that is fodder for another post. Continue reading
As I mentioned in a post a couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity recently to pick up Robert Penn Warren’s short 1980 book Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back. It’s beautifully written, and Warren’s ambivalence about his native South imbues the piece with thoughtful reflection.
Warren originally wrote the piece in 1979 for The New Yorker after special Act of Congress restored Davis’s citizenship, an act signed into law by President Jimmy Carter—like Warren and Davis, a Southerner. Continue reading
This is the fourth part of the 1892 discussion of the events that led to the surrender of the forces under command of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston by an unidentified captain of the 10th Ohio Cavalry. I particularly like the account of the meeting between Judson Kilpatrick’s cavalry and the remnant of Joseph Wheeler’s Cavalry Corps as the gray-clad troopers went to give their paroles and surrender. It’s a poignant and, so far as I know, unique account of this touching scene. It’s the part of this account that I like best. Enjoy.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner…
Do you have a favorite real-life love story from the Civil War era? (No fictional characters!)
The south bank of the North Anna isn’t looking so gem-like these days.
The battlefield along the North Anna River remains one of the most beautiful gems in Virginia. Had I not known better, though, a recent stop on the battlefield might have made me think the war had only recently swept through.
For its April 2017 issue, Civil War Times invited me to help readers explore the North River. This was a huge treat for me, and exciting, because I am such a fan of the North Anna phase of the Overland Campaign. It has such fascinating psychological facets, yet it popularly gets overlooked because of the bloodbaths that came before and after. But it’s because of these fascinating components that Strike Them a Blow: Battle Along the North Anna remains one of my favorite books that I’ve written.
When I travel back and forth to Richmond, I like to make the short detour off I-95 to North Anna whenever I can. Recently, I made the detour because I wanted to re-see the battlefield in the wake of the Civil War Times article. Continue reading
Emerging Civil War welcomes back guest author Kristen M. Trout
Nestled on an elevated plateau just south of St. Louis, Missouri lies the country’s oldest active military installation west of the Mississippi River. Established in 1826, Jefferson Barracks served in many capacities over the next century, such as a rendezvous point for westward expansion and the Mexican War, a major troop mobilization and hospital complex during the Civil War, a cavalry base of operation during the Indian Wars, and a national troop induction center during World War I and World War II.
The Missouri Civil War Museum and Missouri Civil War Studies Center today. Image courtesy of the Missouri Civil War Museum.
Okay…historical confession time: I like historic graveyards. To me, it’s special to wander around a cemetery, finding the graves of Civil War generals, officers, soldiers, and civilians that I’ve studied.
Fredericksburg National Cemetery
Some folks find that a little freaky, morbid, weird, or history-nerdy. And I’ll admit it’s strange. After all, I’m not looking for ghosts (don’t believe in them anyway), and I’m definitely not in a hurry to get myself in a grave.
So why wander around a graveyard? Here are my reasons: Continue reading
Charleston’s downtown market is best known for its shops and vendors, but sitting atop the market’s western end is a treasure trove of Civil War history…
In mid-January I spent a long weekend in Key West. I enjoyed the food, music, and atmosphere of a truly great town, and also saw some of the place’s interesting historic sites. 
What really surprised me was the Civil War history I found down there. Continue reading
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