“Flying Artillery” – New Tactics at Palo-Alto in the Mexican-American War
In 1846, The United States of America went to war with Mexico, eager to annex Texas and California to expand the Union from sea to…
War in California – The Battle of San Pasqual
In the days of the Mexican-American war, U.S. forces marched 2000 miles, from New Mexico to California—the longest march in the history of the U.S.…
Carrying the Stars and Stripes: James Longstreet in Mexico
Of all the notable Rebel general’s serving the rebellious south during the American Civil War, James Longstreet is one of the more overlooked. One of…
A Rising Star: The Daring and Ingenious McClellan Before the Civil War
Many generals of the American Civil War sharpened their teeth in Mexico, even the ones whose performance left President Lincoln bemoaning their posting. In Mexico,…
Glendale – The Battle that Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and McClellan Would Like to Forget
The Battle of Glendale took place on June 30, 1862, as part of the Union-orchestrated Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. During the end…
How the “Other” Ewell Brother Helped Saved Richmond
The 16th President of the College of William and Mary, Benjamin Stoddert Ewell was a civil engineer who served in the Confederate Army. His ingenuity…
A Stonewall Before Bull Run: Jackson in Mexico
Though his participation was cut short, Rebel General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson proved a skilled tactician and trusted compatriot of fellow Rebel Robert E. Lee. Like…
Battle of Atlanta – McPherson’s Meteoric Rise and Fall
James Birdseye McPherson began his career after graduating first in his class from the United States Military College in 1853, a class that included Philip…
General Robert E. Lee – Learning the Ropes in Mexico
The American Civil War was the most devastating war in United States history. Over 600,000 Americans lost their lives, and the scars of the conflict…
Gettysburg Day – Was Pickett’s Charge Necessary?
What had been a three-day showdown between the Union Army under the command of Major General George G. Meade and General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate…
The Cuban Confederate Colonel
Ambrosio José Gonzalez seemed to have life made in Cuba. Born into a wealthy family in Havana, his parents were able to send him off…
Kansas/Missouri Border War – Lawrence Massacre and ‘Burnt District’
On the day 21st day of August 1863, the skies of Lawrence were heavy with gloom as smoke rose from the ruins of the city.…