Category: Civil War
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Book Review: New Jersey Butterfly Boys in the Civil War
In New Jersey Butterfly Boys, Peter T. Lubrecht tells the story of the Third New Jersey Cavalry, a regiment that saw action during the latter half of the Civil War. The unit is an intriguing one that featured an ethnic mix of predominately German and Irish immigrants, as well as soldiers from more than a…
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Is there a better description of Northern Virginia at the turn of 1862?
I have been working my way through Shelby Foote’s enthralling three-volume Civil War narrative. His skill of storytelling is only enhanced when I imagine his deep, southern voice reading to me. At times, I will read portions or entire chapters aloud for my wife, who also enjoys Foote’s style. I keep coming back to one…
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What do 150 Confederate Cannons look like? We still don’t know
There have been two major attempts at recreating the largest artillery barrage in the Western Hemisphere and both have been lacking. Earlier this year, the History Channel released a CGI-intensive special on Gettysburg. The previews were gritty and continuously dropped the names of the executive producers, Tony and Ridley Scott. With movies like Gladiator to…
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Need to Plan a Battle? Why not RISK Pieces?
A few months ago, I was toying with different methods to depict battles for people. I arranged RISK pieces on a map of Harpers Ferry to depict Stonewall’s capture of the city (1862). It was a laborious task and I determined that while it looked neat, the effort was not worth it. Yet, I am…
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A Few Gettysburg Generals in the Autumn
With the fall leaves all but gone, my wife and I set out to Gettysburg in hopes of capturing some colorful images. We were fortunate to come across a few magnificent views of generals John W. Geary, Winfield Scott Hancock, George Meade, and Robert E. Lee. All photos are by Dawn Manning, which she originally…
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Panoramic of Little Round Top in the Autumn
This is a common view of Little Round Top from Devil’s Den, but how often are the trees that colorful? Dawn Manning took a series of photos on November 5 of this year and stitched them together to create this panoramic. This thumbnail does not do the photo justice. Be sure to click the image…
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The Gettysburg National Cemetery in the Autumn
This is a view of the Gettysburg National Cemetery from the tower on Culp’s Hill. Dawn Manning took a series of photos on November 5 of this year and stitched three of them together to create this panoramic. If you click the image for a larger version, there is plenty to see. This ground holds…
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Video Review: The Complete Gettysburg Guide for the iPad Kindle
The Complete Gettysburg Guide for the iPad Kindle is slick and well worth the $13.77 price tag. It is in full color and easily navigable like other books. In addition, you can zoom in on the maps. To demonstrate some of the functionality, here is a video demonstration of the book. I have used the hardcover…
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The Truth about Civil War Reenactors
In American society, we tend to shun discrimination and generalization of entire groups of people unless they overly obese, Hollywood actors, or Civil War reenactors.. After the past several years, I have concluded that the latter is unfair. When the topic of reenactors comes up on discussion boards, podcast conference calls and blogs, someone will…
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Politician on the Warpath: Brian Schoeneman
Last Friday, I spent a day on the warpath with Brian Schoeneman, a candidate for Virginia House of Delegates in Fairfax, Virginia. We followed the steps of Robert E. Lee’s Maryland Campaign (1862) and the crucial battles at South Mountain, Harpers Ferry, and Antietam. Although Brian has spent the past decade in politics, he is…
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Why Not Call them “Killingfields”?
Historian John Rudy has lamented the romanticizing of Civil War battles from books, documentaries, and reenactors. He believes that too many people idealize the marching and flag waving while brushing aside the carnage. When I tell people I trekked out to Gettysburg eight times last year, the first thing I am asked is if I…
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Civil War Philly Sesquicentennial Parade and Review (April 16, 2011)
On April 16, 2011, a series of groups put together the Civil War Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Parade and Review. The event was meant to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Philadelphia’s answering of President Lincoln’s call for volunteers to put down the rebellion in the South after the surrender of Fort Sumter. There were marching bands,…