Legends and Lies in Female Soldier Portraits
By Kurt Luther Historians estimate that at least 400 women presented themselves as men and fought in the Civil War, on both sides of the conflict. Verified period portraits of
Tag: library of congress
Wounded at Gettysburg, Vilified for a Political Scandal
In every battle he fought, William Wade Dudley “distinguished himself as a good soldier, which is the highest possible recommendation that can be given any man,” according to an 1881
Gallantry at Missionary Ridge
By Evan Phifer At Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863, Maj. Ruel M. Johnson assumed command of the 100th Indiana Infantry after its commander, Lt. Col. Albert Heath, received a
Rifled Muskets, Rear Sights, and Rail Lines: Re-Examining a Veteran Indiana Infantry Image
By Phil Spaugy Eleven veteran federal infantrymen standing at ease with their U.S. Model 1842 rifled muskets are front and center in this richly detailed portrait by a photographer in
Hoosiers: Indiana Faces of the Civil War
Whether posed in a studio at Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, or in the field, the Hoosier soldiers who look out from these portraits represent the citizens who left farms,
Long Sol: Indiana’s Fighting Quaker
By Lance J. Herdegen During a military review in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln said with a sly smile that Solomon Meredith of Indiana was “the only Quaker general I have
Thunderbolts and Lightning at Hoover’s Gap: How Wilder’s Lightning Brigade received its nom de guerre
By Ronald S. Coddington Wilder’s “Lightning Brigade” emerged as the Union Army’s innovative counter to fast-moving Confederate cavalry. The notable brigade of mounted infantry and artillery was ably led by
A Useful Life: Sarah Chamberlin Eccleston, Civil War nurse and educator
By Sidney Dreese Nothing mattered more to Sarah “Sallie” Chamberlin than to live a useful life. A fire burned in her patriotic heart, and she was both anxious and determined
Oscar F. Douglas: The Photographer Behind the Iconic USCT Drummer Boy
By Kurt Luther The pair of cartes de visite of a young African American boy transformed from a runaway slave into a Union drummer boy are among the most memorable
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