The Autumn 2025 issue of Military Images magazine
Civil War images speak to us in unique and varied ways. The cover photograph for this issue tells the story of five Union citizen‑soldiers who belonged to the same mess,
Tag: Ronald S. Coddington
Reflections on Generative AI
The emerging genre of historic photographs brought to life through AI touched me personally when an image in my collection appeared on the YouTube channel History in Motion. I watched
Shifting Terminology for Enslaved People
As the Civil War transformed the legal and social status of Black Americans, the language used to describe them evolved as well. In 1861, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler claimed
The World of Hermits in Gettysburg and Beyond
No doubt many subscribers to Military Images have toured the Gettysburg battlefield. But how many have made their way to Wolf Hill, southeast of town? Part of the area is
A Habit of Disappearing—and Reappearing
Franklin Young Commagere had a habit of disappearing. At age 17 in 1861, Ohio-born Frank gained acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy, a sociable young man full of fun and
The Bayard of the Volunteer Army: The life and death of Brig. Gen. William Haines Lytle, the poet-warrior
By Ronald S. Coddington with images from the Rick Carlile Collection One Sunday evening during the summer of 1863 in Alabama, Union officers gathered beside a clear spring near Bridgeport,
On Quinby’s Watch: A Colorado lieutenant and acting signal officer makes his mark at “The Gettysburg of the West”
By Ronald S. Coddington, with images from The William Griffin Family Collection As darkness yielded to the pale glow of light on the frosty morning of Oct. 23, 1864, Confederates
Bonds of Loyalty: Forged in Mexico, 1847 — Tested in Texas, 1864
By Ronald S. Coddington The declaration of war against Mexico in May 1846 ignited an explosion of recruiting for volunteer military organizations across the 28 United States. Men from all
Lightning Strikes Twice
The cover story of our Summer 2024 issue profiled Evander M. Law’s rise to general in the Confederate army. The project began after I met collector Craig Wofford, who shared
On the Demise of Civil War Times, and Introducing a New Column
The storied magazine Civil War Times ceased publication this spring after its parent company scaled back its operations, eliminated the print edition, and explored an expanded digital edition. Its decline