TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

Category: Campaigns & Battles

  • Origins of the Rifle-pit

    One of the most common features of the Civil War battlefield was the rifle pit, especially in the last two years of the war. Yet this feature was unknown in Napoleon’s time. As the name suggests, the rifle pit’s introduction coincided with the widespread use of the rifle, and can be dated to the Siege […]

  • Mine Run Campaign Addendum

    Since I posted last week, History Channel forum poster “sfcdan” has written parts 6-9 of his Mine Run Campaign series.  Here are the links to the individual posts.  Go check them out! Mine Run Part 6 – Payne’s Farm Mine Run Part 7 – New Hope Church Mine Run Part 8 – Parker’s Store Mine […]

  • The Civil War in the classroom

    Cross posted at Civil War History. Given this very interesting post by Brett, I thought I would bring up an interesting couple of ideas for teaching the war in the classroom and see what you all think. While understanding slavery and emancipation are essential to understanding the war years, I do feel that some classes […]

  • Meade, Mud, Mistakes, and Stalemate: The Mine Run Campaign

    As many TOCWOC readers know, I am interested in the post-Gettysburg campaigns in the East and have commented on them in the past.  Andrew A. Humphreys, Army of the Potomac’s Chief of Staff at the time of Bristoe Station and Mine Run, did write a short campaign study in 1883 (available to read or for […]

  • Trudeau to Take on Bristoe Station and Mine Run?

    I’ve long wished for a good campaign study looking at the clashes between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia from after Gettysburg through the end of 1863.  As many TOCWOC readers know, both sides sent one or more corps west to the fighting at Chickamauga and Chattanooga.  Despite this, the […]

  • Review: The 11th Wisconsin in the Civil War: A Regimental History by Christopher C. Wehner

    Christopher C. Wehner. The 11th Wisconsin in the Civil War: A Regimental History. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers (April 16, 2008). 248 pages, 16 maps, roster, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN: 978-0786432103 $45.00 (Library Binding). What does one look for in a good regimental history? First person accounts? Check. Social breakdown of the regiment […]

  • Army Military History Materials On Line

    The US Army Center of Military History has a number of military history materials available on line, including sections on wars ranging from the Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terror. TOCWOC readers will want to look at the Civil War section, which has a number of the excellent Army “Staff Ride” guides used […]