Sherman’s Neckties: The Ingenious Union Tactic That Immobilized the Confederates
Sherman’s Neckties – also known as Sherman’s Bowties, Jeff Davis’s Neckties and Sherman’s Hairpins – were railway destruction tactics used by the Union Army during…
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner Proved the 54th Infantry Regiment Had the Chops
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment proved their bravery and courage in fighting against Confederate forces at Fort Wagner.
Discover the Civil War-Era Military Facility Located Beneath Alcatraz
Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, is best known for housing Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. While the prison is what makes the area famous, its…
Naming Commission Calling for Removal of Confederate Monument at Arlington National Cemetery
A Confederate bronze and granite statue that overlooks a portion of Arlington National Cemetery is among the monuments being recommended for removal by the Congressional…
The Short Career of the Civil War-Era Double-Barreled Cannon
The double-barreled cannon is as cool as it sounds. It can shoot two cannon balls at the same time that, when attached by a chain,…
Historic Deception and Camouflage Techniques Used By Militaries
Deception and military subterfuge have been used throughout history. The aim is to give armies the upper hand by tricking the enemy. The practice dates…
What Happened to the ‘Lost’ Confederate Gold?
Going to war can be incredibly expensive. As such, the Confederate States of America solicited donations from wealthy citizens. A lot of that gold –…
Five Myths About the American Civil War That Need to Be Addressed
One of the most – if not the most – prominent topics in US history is the American Civil War. While the majority of what’s…
From the Scythians to Russia: The Use of Scorched Earth Tactics in War
Scorched earth tactics have been used nearly as long as armies have conducted military campaigns. While the practice is less common in modern times, it…
The Spencer Repeating Rifle Saved ‘A Thousand Lives’ During the Battle of Hoover’s Gap
When the Spencer Repeating Rifle was first recommended to the US Department of War, it was turned away due to the notion it would be…
The Success of George H. Thomas’ Union Soldiers During the American Civil War
The two most famous Union generals of the American Civil War are William Tecumseh Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant. One other name that should be…
The Sinking of the USS Housatonic was a Turning Point in Naval Warfare
The US Navy has existed longer than the country itself. The branch was established in August 1775 and re-established in 1794 during the French Revolution.…
John Clem: The Youngest Noncommissioned Officer in US Army History
When the American Civil War broke out in April 1861, it was an all-hands-on-deck situation for the Union and Confederate armies. All men of fighting…
Mary Edwards Walker: The Only Woman to Receive the Medal of Honor
Today, about a third of all American doctors are female, and women make up 14 percent of all active-duty US military members. This represents a…
These Female Spies of the American Civil War Have Some Incredible Stories To Share
During the Civil War, most American males were involved in the battle in some way. But there were also several women who were very important…
The Interesting History of Wartime Counterfeiting
There has never been a time in history when war wasn’t costly. Of course, it’s costly in terms of death and destruction, but it’s also…
Rose O’Neal: The Confederate Spy Who Drowned Because Of Her Dress And A Pile Of Gold
While the Civil War was fought between the North and South, a person’s geographic location did not necessarily determine the side one took. Rose O’Neal…
The Evolution of Sea Mines and Their Impact on War
Sea mines are some of the most terrifying and destructive weapons at a navy’s disposal. Capable of wreaking havoc on fleets, they’re a staple of…
The Most Iconic Last Words in Military History: General John Sedgwick
General John Sedgwick was a United States military general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Known as a dependable and brave man,…
Four US Presidents Who Were Battle-Hardened Generals
Considering the President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief, it’s surprising military experience is not a requirement for the job. Despite this, many former…
These Are the Salaries Paid to US Troops During Each War
Being a member of the US Army is one of the most valiant careers a person can choose. However, the job hasn’t always paid as…
Five Celebrated Military Commanders Who Might Not Live Up To Their Hype
Nearly all notable military leaders are surrounded by controversy, usually from those who think they were great – and those who think they weren’t. As…
Second Capsule Located Within Pedestal of Richmond’s Robert E. Lee Statue
A second capsule has been located within the pedestal of the Robert E. Lee statue that once stood over Richmond, Virginia’s Monument Avenue. The discovery…
Capsule Within Base of Robert E. Lee Statue Reveals Books, Silver Coin
Experts with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources have opened a capsule found within the pedestal of the Robert E. Lee statue removed from Richmond…
Robert E. Lee Statue to Be Melted Down, Turned Into Art
A decision has been made regarding the fate of Charlottesville’s Robert E. Lee statue. The center of 2017’s Unite the Right rally and 2020’s Black…
Memorial for Black Soldiers Killed By Confederates Unveiled In Virginia
The county of Culpeper in Virginia has unveiled a memorial dedicated to three African American soldiers who were executed by members of the Confederate Army…
How the American Civil War helped shape the modern candy industry
The American Civil War brought about the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and was one of the first indicators of what modern advances…
Robert Smalls: The Slave Who Stole A Warship, Escaped The Confederates, And Became A U.S. Congressman
The life of Robert Smalls is an epic underdog story of an illiterate slave from South Carolina who managed to free himself by escaping from…
Strange Military Truces and How They Happened
Apart from a few exceptions, truces and ceasefires are not normally known to be eventful, with most consisting of either a white flag or the…
Loreta Janeta Velázquez disguised herself as a man to fight alongside her husband in the Civil War
The life of Loreta Janeta Velázquez is one of adventure, twists, and turns. She was born in the mid-1800s, and later disguised herself and fought…
Brig. Gen. Martin Green Bragged About His Invincibility – He Was Quickly Proven Wrong
The sheer scale of the American Civil War meant a number of seemingly improbable events occurred. Among them were bullets colliding and fusing in mid-air,…
Robert E. Lee Statue Removed From Richmond, Virginia Following State Supreme Court Decision
The statue of Confederate Army general Robert E. Lee that stood over Richmond, Virginia’s Monument Avenue has been removed from its pedestal. The removal of…
Pentagon Requests Public Assistance In Renaming Of Military Installations
The Pentagon has asked for the public’s help in renaming military installations named after Confederate Army soldiers. The request follows the passing of the Defense…
The Mistake That Led To The Confederate Loss At The Battle Of Antietam During The Civil War
It was early September in 1862, and General Robert E. Lee was drafting plans for his Confederate invasion of Maryland. Lee drew up a detailed…
Virginia Supreme Court Rules General Robert E. Lee Statue Can Be Removed
Virginia’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled on the fate of the 21-foot-tall statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Richmond. The state capital served…
Effort To Rename Fort Benning After Decorated Lieutenant General Gains Traction
A petition calling for Fort Benning to be renamed “Fort Moore” after Lieutenant General Harold “Hal” Moore and his wife, Julie, has gained steam. It…
Civil War Air Balloons Existed And Had Their Own Corp
An air balloon and gunfire is not something you’d usually want to mix together, but the Union Army certainly did so with respectable results during…
The Items Found In Abraham Lincoln’s Pockets On the Night He Was Assassinated
US President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 by John Wilkes Booth, a moment that has immortalized the country’s 16th president. The assassination…
Comparing Historic Battlefields, Then and Now
Battles typically have a lasting physical impact on the places where they occur, leaving behind scars that hint at what happened. The following in a…
Statue Of Confederate General Robert E. Lee Removed From Charlottesville Park
The debate surrounding Civil War-era monuments in the United States has been gathering steam over the years. With movements like Black Lives Matter raising issues…
Charlottesville City Council Votes To Remove Robert E. Lee Statue
Action is being taken in Charlottesville, Virginia, to remove statues of former Confederate American Civil War generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson from the…
Pauline Cushman: The Union Civil War Spy Who Was Also a Stage Actress
Pauline Cushman may have been considered a mediocre actress, but she’s seen as one of the most successful Union spies of the American Civil War.…
The Morbid Origin of the Word “Deadline”
A deadline is something ingrained in modern culture, establishing a time which something has to be completed by, whether that’s a payment, college work, or…
The Most Lethal Fighting Unit of the Civil War
At approximately 4:00 PM, July 2, 1863 the great Confederate turning movement at Gettysburg, meant to roll-up the Federal line from left-to-right, finally stepped-off, General…
Officials Plead for Consumers to NOT Recycle Live Cannonballs
Workers at the Kent County Recycling Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, got a lot more than they bargained for when Civil War cannonballs was delivered…
Rediscovered Civil War Shipwreck Gains International Recognition
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 10, 2020) – As the United States battled its most divisive conflict at the height of the American Civil War, a cargo…
One of the Most Daring and Romantic Naval Feats of History
Rain began falling in sheets as the small steamer known as picketboat No. 1 puffed its way through the choppy surf toward the mouth of…
History Hack – Fantastic Podcasts Beating Lockdown Blues
Timing, as they say is everything. With everyone currently at home under confinement there has never been a better time to launch a series of…
Civil War Cannonball Exploded & Killed 140 Years After it Was Fired
Sam White was a dyed-in-the-wool Civil War fanatic. He was never happier than when he was searching for Civil War relics or restoring those that…
The Day the South Nearly Won the Civil War
It has become an accepted historical fact that the South could not have won the American Civil War. The North’s advantages in finance, population, railroads,…
Restoration of Nuclear Bunkers: Only For The Brave
The standard design for each bunker was approximately 13 feet by 16 feet, with access provided by a 14 foot deep shaft with a ladder.…
Hood’s Texas Brigade: The Elite Confederate Shock Troops
Hood led his brigade in a fast and aggressive attack that broke through the Union center, throwing the entire Northern army into disarray. On the…
A Controversial Decision About Lee & Jackson Statues in Charlottesville
Judge Richard Moore in Charlottesville, Virginia has ruled that statues of Lee and Jackson are war memorials and cannot be moved. This was after a…
The Enloe Stone: The Grave That hid Weapons & Valuables in the Civil War
Though leading an army of an estimated 12,000 soldiers, General Price believed the Union forces protecting Jefferson City to be too formidable. At the outbreak…
Robert E. Lee. & The US Camel Corps That Never Were
Showing the typical hubris and racial bias of the time, Wayne declared that Americans could “manage camels not only as well, but better than the…
The Battle of Little Big Horn: Custers Ultimate Humiliation
“I have seen my people prepare for battle many times,” she said, “and this I know: that the Sioux that morning had no thought of…
Propaganda Of The American Civil War – Started Years Before The Outbreak
While it is commonly thought that the First World War was the first war in which war propaganda was widespread, propaganda goes back earlier than…
The Successful Unionist Rebellion in the Heart of Dixie
It is difficult to pin many killings directly to Knight and his men, but numerous tax collectors, conscription officers, and Confederate government supporters were killed…
The Ghosts of Gettysburg: A Haunted History of a Battlefield
According to witnesses and researchers, paranormal activity is stronger in Gettysburg than anywhere else. It even has phantom perfumes! Gettysburg is a small town in…
Born in 1842 The Oldest Veteran Of The US Civil War Who Lived Until 1953!
One of Hard’s uncles served in the American Revolutionary War, while some of his grandsons and great-grandsons served in the Second World War. One of…
How was Jefferson Davis a Union General and The Confederate President?
Davis appeared a short while later with a pistol and shot General Nelson in the chest. Nelson died half an hour later. One Union general…
Heroes of America: The Civil War Within the Confederacy
He was an enthusiastic supporter of Reconstruction, and made numerous efforts to suppress the Ku Klux Klan. The American Civil War was a titanic struggle…
Angels’ Glow at The Battle Of Shiloh
As night fell they saw that their wounds seemed to be glowing in the dark Glow in the dark wounds might sound like something out…
Southern Safari-The Most Ironic Last Words in Military History
His men were clearly embarrassed but couldn’t help ducking each time the gunfire came. There are several monuments raised in memory of the Battle of…
From The Horses Mouth-Secret Codes in Equestrian Statues
Indeed, General Sheridan was wounded during the Civil War, but did not die in battle The depiction of wartime heroes, royalty, and similar important figures…
A Strange Story From The Civil War: There in McLean’s parlor, Grant & Lee Hashed Out The Surrender
The American Civil War threatened to rip the nation apart and created rifts that in some ways have not healed. For four years the nation…
The Louisiana Native Guards – The First African-American Civil War Unit To Go Into Battle
While the far more well-known 54th Massachusetts Infantry regiment is usually portrayed as the first African-American unit of the American Civil War to have seen…
From The Atlantic to Pacific: The American Civil War on the West Coast
The American Civil War threatened to split the United States asunder. From California to Virginia the nation divided itself over whether or not it supported…
WW2 “Sweetheart Grips” Surprisingly Few People Know About Them
The personalization of equipment goes back for centuries. The Greeks often had to supply their own armor so they usually added ridged elements that simulated…
1860: The First U.S. Navy Submarine: “Alligator”
Submarines did not become common in naval forces around the world until the 20th century. But one did exist in 1860s America during the Civil War–the…
“Glowing” Wounds: Why Civil War Soldiers Had Injuries That Shone
Using insects – primarily maggots – to treat burns and wounds is a recognized, valid therapy. It is still used today to “debride” (clean) everything…
Most Extraordinary Footage Captures the Famous Confederate Battle Cry – The Rebel Yell
History has shown that a battle cry can be a powerful weapon. Not only does it create a feeling of unity among the ones performing…
Strange but True: Former Russian Officer Was One of the Union’s Great Leaders in the Civil War
Ivan Turchaninov was born in 1822 in the Don River region of southern Russia, and graduated in 1841 from the Imperial Military School in St.…
Civil War Sniper Jack Hinson Was Hell Bent on Revenge
An old proverb dictates that, “revenge is a dish best served cold,” but to Southerner Jack Hinson, revenge tasted best when he was consumed with…
Snipers Created Confederate Chain-of-Command Crisis at Antietam
At Antietam—as with other Civil War battles—the most modern weaponry was employed, rifled muskets and long-range cannons that could lob a shell a mile distant.…
River Snakes – Civil War Gunboats in Action
The Western Theater of the American Civil War brought its own challenges to defeating the southern Rebels. Fewer railroads and a sparser population spread left…
Total Victory Lost – Why the South Lost Civil War at Chancellorsville not Gettysburg
While Chancellorsville is often regarded as General Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory, many would be surprised to know that after the battle he remarked “We…
Iron Men and Iron Ships: The Riverboats of the American Civil War
The American Civil War, in contention with the Crimean War to be considered the first modern war, saw advances in warfare both on land and…
2 Hour Break At Antietam – Suddenly Both Sides Stopped Fighting
Battles don’t unfold as one might imagine. They don’t progress in orderly or predictable ways. Smack in the middle of the bloodiest day in U.S.…
The Georgian 450 – Holding Off 12 Thousand Men at Antietam Under the Brash General Robert Toombs
Impossible Odds The ability of 450 resolute Georgians to stave off 12,500 Federals, preventing them from crossing Antietam Creek for several crucial hours, has to…
Aggressive Tactics at 2nd Bull Run Led to Pope’s Defeat
In late August 1862, thirteen months after the first Battle of Bull Run, the Union army was poised for a rematch against the Confederates in…
1st Texas At Antietam – 80% Losses and Their Unique Flag on America’s Costliest Day
This is the first in a series of posts, as guest blogger Justin Martin counts down to the September 17 anniversary of Antietam, still America’s…
Fierce and Colorful – Zouave Regiments in the Civil War
The Zouaves originally came as part of the French Army linked to French North Africa, which served between 1830 and 1962. Their uniform and tactics…
The Stonewall Brigade: More Than the Man
The Confederate left flank was on the verge of complete collapse at the First Battle of Manassas, and General Barnard Bee was struggling to instill…
Claiming Deseret: The Utah War
Throughout the nineteenth century the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as Mormons, struggled to find a home for themselves. Eventually,…
Confederate Secret Weapon – Mapmaker Jedediah Hotchkiss
Jedediah Hotchkiss’s migration to the Shenandoah Valley in 1847 at age 19 proved to be more fortuitous than he could imagine. His long exploratory treks…
Best Union Generals Not Named “Grant” and “Sherman” – We Picked 3
Very generally speaking, most American Civil War professors, informal historians, and novices can easily tick off a list of well-known and talented Confederate generals. The…
Rock of Chickamagua – General Thomas Covered for “Old Rosy”
Famous for his victories in the Western Theatre, Major General William S. Rosecrans became the subject of public criticism after he suffered a resounding defeat…
Ironclads and Huge Cannons: Union Attack on Fort Donelson
After the successful siege of Fort Henry by Federal troops on February 6th, 1862, the Confederate forces hurried back to the neighboring Fort Donelson which…
The Hemp Bale Battle – Ingenious Idea Won the Siege of Lexington
The Missouri State Guard (MSG) had just been put together some months prior to the Lexington battle that shook the small town of Lexington for…
Final Days of the Civil War: Battle of Fort Blakely, Alabama
In an attempt to force their way into the last Confederate stronghold in Mobile, Alabama, the Federals launched two separate assaults on the Spanish and…
Are We Erasing History?
Many have borrowed philosopher George Santayana’s famous phrase: “Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it,” but in our current political climate, some…
Attack on Mexico City Prepared Beauregard for Defense of Petersburg
Before his time defending Petersburg from Union forces, Rebel General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard learned how to command, strategize, and organize armies during the Mexican-American War.…
Manassas Civil War Weekend Abandons “Civil War”
One of the longest-running and most famous Civil War weekends will no longer be held in its current form. The Manassas Museum has decided that…
26 U.S. Presidents in the Military – Many Saw Combat
Just over fifty percent of the United States’ presidents have served in the military–in war, peacetime, or both. For the most part, this has been…
More Than a Weekend Warrior – Guarding the Guard’s History
Ohio native Josh Mann, a Sergeant First Class in the state’s National Guard, comes by his passion for all things Army honestly. His father was…
A Hard Dose of Reality for North and South – 1st Battle of Bull Run
Merriment rang out in the streets of Washington on July 16, 1861 as Gen. Irvin McDowell’s army, 35,000 strong, marched out to begin the campaign…
Which is Your Favorite? – Famous Charges in History
With the enemies’ formation looking impenetrable and the odds continuously climbing higher in their favor, the battle would take on the shapes and colors of…
Hunley Crew was No Suicide Mission – Civil War Submarine Reveals Its Secrets
During the Civil War, the Confederacy had a submarine called the H.L Hunley. It was 40-feet long (or twelve meters), bulletproof and built in Mobile,…
When History Closes: Civil War Veterans School Shuttered
The Civil War is, without doubt, one of the defining moments in American political history. In the years 1861–1865, it set family members against one another…