The Great American Civil War Pipe Gallery
Clay pipes and straw hats are the order of the day for these sailors, seated back-to-back on the floor of a photographer’s studio. A half-dozen officers, all members of
Recent Stories
On Henry: Inspiration, Mentor and Friend
My favorite story about Henry Deeks, or Dan as he was also known, predates the digital era, when collectors relied on printed catalogs to purchase Civil War artifacts. What distinguished
Second Opinion
By Kurt Luther In my last column, I presented some initial facts and figures showing that Civil War Photo Sleuth (CWPS), our free website for identifying unknown soldiers in photos,
President Lincoln’s Bodyguard for a Day: Sgt. H. Paxton Bigham’s Gettysburg experience
By Paul Russinoff A messenger approached Sgt. Paxton Bigham with a document and a few words that implied immediate action: “A telegram for the President.” Paxton took the paper, turned
A Tale of Two Steamers
By Ron Field Government steamers played an important role in the Civil War, particularly on Western waters. Yet, little is known about the contribution of these workhorses to the war
Profiles of Union Soldiers in the Thick of the Fight for Petersburg
By Scott Valentine Trench warfare along the earthworks defending Petersburg, Va., settled into a brutal rhythm of seemingly endless assaults and counterattacks soon after it began in June 1864. The
Our Brethren Are On the Field
Brad Quinlin has been forever touched by the courage of a World War II soldier. The GI, William Ralph Shockley, volunteered to stay behind and provide cover fire for his
A Prototypical Militiaman on the Eve of War
The uniform worn by this gent is relatively common among mid-19th century militiamen, which can create a conundrum when attempting to pin down his state of origin. His 1851
Dwelling in Peace in the Land of the Spirits: Pvt. Admiral Coon’s portraits reveal a family’s pain and sorrow
By Paul D. Mehney and Charles T. Joyce In September 1862, a freshly minted Union enlisted man posed for a photographer in or near Camp Susquehanna on the outskirts of
PIPs
Portrait photographs of individuals posed with a photograph of another person are unique. Yet, they were made throughout the 19th century, observes Doug York, who has assembled a collection of