Union Wives and Their Generals
By Tom Glass Nearly all the generals who served the North during the Civil War were married. Left behind at home, their wives cared for families, farms, businesses and relatives.
Tag: civil war
Early Photo Sleuths In the Dead Letter Office
By Kurt Luther Not long ago, I received a gift of a carte de visite of an unidentified Civil War soldier, probably a Union private, wearing a short jacket and
Men of Nerve: The 5th Massachusetts Cavalry in the Civil War
By James Paradis The 5th Massachusetts Cavalry was the only black cavalry regiment from Massachusetts. Its veteran commander, Col. Henry S. Russell, had distinguished himself earlier in the war with
Thoughts on Private Booth
By J. Matthew Gallman When we attempt to understand history, we often find that empirical truths unfold alongside significant symbolic moments. And, to make things even more complicated, it is
Lexington, Not Petersburg: A cancelled revenue stamp on the back of an iconic image of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Traveller suggests a new location—and brings to light the photographers who took it
By John O’Brien Of all the photographs of Robert E. Lee, one stands out as favored above the rest: the gray-coated general seated on his faithful mount, Traveller. According
A Bay State Militiaman in Full Dress Uniform
Hosea Ballot Ellis (1822-1889), of Quincy, Mass., is attired in the uniform of a Bay State militiaman. Standard trappings include white shoulder belts, epaulettes and a black waist belt with
“Conquer We Must, For Our Cause Is Just”
By Kathleen Heyworth White attitudes towards African Americans varied greatly throughout the Union army during the Civil War, even within regiments. Such was the case in the 7th Illinois Infantry.
Riding the Rail, Revisited
By Robert L. Kotchian During my college days in Salt Lake City almost 50 years ago, I would search antique shops looking for Civil War treasures, following my classes on
Dark Memories After Antietam
By Scott Valentine “Soldier’s Heart” was one term used in the 19th century to describe a mental health condition known today as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Other terms were
At Stones River, A Sword Lost and Found
By Ronald S. Coddington In the maelstrom of fighting at Stones River on the last day of 1862, dense clouds of gun smoke hung like a pall over the bloody