Fort Donelson: Early turning point of the Civil War
By John Walsh, featuring images from the author’s collection The triumph by U.S. forces at Fort Donelson in early February 1862 dramatically turned the tide of the Civil War, then
Category: Feature
One Vacant Chair: Photographs of a Michigan family remind us of loss and sacrifice
By Paul Russinoff The lyrics from a touching song spoke to the grief suffered by hundreds of thousands of families during the Civil War: “We shall meet, but we shall
The Black Phalanx at Benton Barracks: Transforming men of color into U.S. soldiers, late 1863 to early 1864
By Ronald S. Coddington An officer in the 1st Missouri Colored Infantry recalled how recruits for the new regiment marched with “sluggish step and plantation gait” through St. Louis in
JEB: A portrait taken in Hagerstown captures Stuart during the withdrawal following Gettysburg
By Phil McCoy Captain Frank Smith Robertson, an assistant engineer on JEB Stuart’s staff, recounted a meeting in Maryland with Gen. Robert E. Lee during the withdrawal from Gettysburg: “We
Back to Libby: In 1864, Capt. Matt Boyd successfully made the Great Escape from Libby Prison. In 1889, he returned to deal with his demons.
By Ronald S. Coddington, with images and artifacts from the Craig and Carol Wofford Collection Matt Boyd embodied the essence of a frontline commander. Whatever dangers his men faced, so
Forever Peace: A former Confederate gives a miniature of the Appomattox surrender table to Ulysses S. Grant
By Ronald S. Coddington Ulysses S. Grant arrived to a hero’s welcome in Philadelphia on Dec. 16, 1879. The retired general who had led the U.S. Army to victory in
Artisans of Ames: An antebellum portrait of the people behind the prominent Civil War arms manufacturer
By Ron Maness, with images and artifacts from the author’s collection This group of men is identified as artisans of the Ames Manufacturing Company, makers of military arms and other
The Little Gamecock: The rise of Brig. Gen. Evander McIver Law, C.S.A.
By Ronald S. Coddington, with images and artifacts from the Craig and Carol Wofford Collection Evander McIver Law focused his piercing blue eyes on the skyline above the Gettysburg countryside.
Three Confederate Prisoners at Gettysburg: Exploring a theory that they were nurses who signed the Oath of Allegiance
By Paul Russinoff The three Confederate prisoners immortalized by Mathew Brady’s team at Gettysburg in July 1863 stands among the most compelling, evocative images of the Civil War. Exactly who
Captured Freedom: Sleuthing an image of Union officers that escaped from prison and the guides who helped them to safety
By Steve Procko A text message from fellow Civil War enthusiast Sam Houston with a photograph of 12 ragged men appeared in the middle of our conversation about the chaotic