Early Modern | War History

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…

Worst General in American History

Our history would always talk about the greatest achievements of noble countrymen who serve and fight for the good of their respective countries. Many written…

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…

American Hero Turned Traitor – Benedict Arnold

In history, Benedict Arnold is a controversial American figure, and is popularly remembered for his treachery, both to his nation and–more personally–to George Washington. However,…