The Spring 2026 issue of Military Images Magazine

Indiana Faces of the Civil War dominate this issue.

Its origins sprung from two sources. One is a desire to shine a spotlight on the Western Theater of the war and the states from the Midwest who contributed in significant ways to its prosecution. Another is having access to the collection of Executive Editor Rick Brown, who hails from the Hoosier state and has built a significant collection of Indiana images. This issue joins our Autumn 2022 issue (Illinois) and Winter 2023 (Iowa) in highlighting the Upper Midwest.

The cover, from Rick’s collection, features a Hoosier cavalryman armed with a Merrill carbine and a Colt Army revolver. His likeness speaks to the martial spirit of those from the state who entered in the Union army.

The centerpiece of the issue, Hoosiers: Indiana Faces of the Civil War, is a gallery of 40 images commemorating those who served, almost all identified with capsule biographies that reveal their service and sacrifice. Organized chronologically by key dates in each soldier’s biography, the gallery spans the beginning of the war and those who were the nation’s first defenders to the closing year of the conflict and those who survived years of active campaigning.

Our other four features pay tribute to Indiana with a fresh look at well- and lesser-known individuals: Long Sol: Indiana’s Fighting Quaker, Thunderbolts and Lightning at Hoover’s Gap: How Wilder’s Lightning Brigade received its nom de guerre, Dynamite Man: The life and times of Hoosier soldier, sailor, and inventor James Weir Graydon, Harper’s Weekly Needed an Image of Wallace’s Zouaves. They Commissioned This One.

Several departments are also Indiana themed. Most Hallowed Ground tells the story of a veteran wounded at Gettysburg who found himself in the center of a postwar political firestorm. The Honored Few profiles a Medal of Honor recipient at Missionary Ridge. The Citizenry touches on supplying the western troops. Of Arms and Men explores the U.S. Model 1842 rifled muskets and accouterments pictured in an image of veteran infantrymen. Material Culture details the changing uniform of the 11th Indiana Infantry, popularly known as Wallace’s Zouaves. Women of War profiles Eleanor Ransom, known as “Mother Ransom” to the soldier-patients she tended. Behind the Backdrop takes a look at images credited to Johnson’s Star Gallery in Indianapolis. The Last Shot provides the backstory of an early regimental monument.

Our other columns compliment Indiana coverage. Editor’s Desk notes the passing of two collecting icons and looks forward to future generations of caretakers. Military Anthropologist visualizes a register of army nurses preserved in the National Archives. Passing in Review features a new book about Elmira in photographs. Photo Sleuth explores legends and lies in female soldier portraits. Antebellum Warriors looks at an early militia officer. Vignette reveals how a Union officer suffered four wounds during his service. Stragglers features distinctive Union and Confederate images from our subscribers.

No matter where you hail from, be it Indiana or anywhere else in the world, you’ll find Civil War history as told through the lens and stories of its participants. As always, your feedback is encouraged and appreciated.