Category: Civil War Research

  • Making Sense of An “Action” Here and a “Skirmish” There

    Editor’s Note: This entry has been cross-posted at The Siege of Petersburg Online. — Actions and Skirmishes: How Do I Find Out What Happened? As I continue to study all phases and aspects of the massive nine plus month Siege of Petersburg, one interesting topic I’ve come across is the idea of “actions”, “skirmishes”, and […]

  • How a phantom Longstreet spooked Shields

    When reading about the the Valley Campaign of 1862  I have chuckled at how Gen. James Shields over-reacted to a non-existent threat.  Yet recently I wondered if there was something more to it.  I haven’t been able to find answers to all my questions, but what I have learned seems interesting. On June 7th, 1862 […]

  • The Claims of the Negro (September 5, 1864 Richmond Examiner)

    As I was copying newspaper articles from the Richmond Examiner from September 1864 for my Siege of Petersburg site, I came across the following interesting article in the September 5, 1864 Richmond Examiner: The Claims of the Negro.–One Benjamin Ruff, claiming to be a member of the Sixth Virginia cavalry, was committed to the Castle […]

  • How Sherman Won Lookout Mountain

    Yes, you read the title right.  I am going to put forth an alternative argument about the capture of Lookout Mountain. While the dramatic story of Hooker’s advance around the face of the mountain might be well known, I think the cause and effect is not. On the morning of November 23rd the Confederates had […]

  • Civil War Era Newspapers from New York State FREE Online

    While searching for free downloadable Civil War Era newspapers to use at the Siege of Petersburg Online, I came across an eccentric but extremely useful site, Old Fulton NY Post Cards.  While the name may not immediately conjure up the term “extremely useful” to Civil War buffs, seeing is believing.  Thousands of old New York […]

  • DE ARAGON, The Chronicle of a Confederate Surgeon – Epilogue

    Author’s note: This is the last installment of the story of Major Ramon T. de Aragon. It deals with events after the war ended and he returned to his home in Moscow, Tennessee. Epilogue   By May 13, the men of Taylor’s army had completed the task of turning in their arms and the last […]

  • Guns of the Second Iowa & Hackleman’s Brigade

    Some time ago I put up a post asking about the rifles carried by the Second Iowa, and now I finally have an answer thanks to Bill Adams, who kindly looked it up for the Corinth battle. 52nd Illinois – Enfield Rifle .577 cal. 2nd Iowa – M1842 rifled musket .69 cal. 7th Iowa – […]