Always on the hunt for opportunities to inform my understanding of history, I’ve hit a gold mine. In addition to my fascination with the Civil War, I am equally passionate about maritime history and am a degreed engineer. Those three fields of study converge in a fascinating symposium hosted by the DeepArch Research Group in Technology, Archaeology and the Deep Sea at MIT in April 2003 which they have made available for viewing on MIT Earth (TM).
The symposium, Civil War High Tech... Read Full Story
Although active in the early part of the Civil War as a four gun mounted battery, Company A 2nd U.S. Artillery didn’t achieve its full measure of recognition until after it was converted into a horse battery in 1861. ‘Field-artillery is divided into mounted and horse batteries of four or six guns,’ explained Lt. John Calef, one of the battery’s acting commanders during the Civil War, in his memoirs, ‘the first serving with the infantry, the cannoneers walking, or riding on the ammunition... Read Full Story
Light Company A, 2nd U.S. Artillery earned respect for its dashing bravery and military acumen from both sides during the Civil Wa r—the Confederates nicknaming it “The Wild Cat Battery.” It had the distinction of firing the opening Union artillery rounds at the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. The Battery’s fighting legend began during the Mexican War; where it served as Duncan’s Battery. Here it played vital roles in a number of U.S . victories. During the battle for Chepultepec a... Read Full Story
I am returning in this post to a topic covered previously here on the discovery and recovery of the Confederate submarine, CSS H. L. Hunley , found in 1995 in the waters off Charleston, S.C. The Friends of the Hunley chronicled the archaeological discovery process which uncovered something very interesting. It was the “ID Tag” (see picture) of Ezra Chamberlin . This created somewhat of a mystery because Ezra was a member of the infantry of the Union Army. What would the ID Tag of a Union... Read Full Story
I am thoroughly impressed with the photographic record of the American Civil War. In my ongoing search for ” primary sources ,” I have been exploring the National Archives and The Library of Congress. The photographic collections at both are simply excellent. Long time historians in the field are no doubt quite familiar with these. For me, humble graduate student, these are a real find. And as we all know, this kind of photographic record sets the American Civil War apart from previous wars... Read Full Story
ARTILLERY Terror Squad - Artillery Dressed in cold black - gun in your hand Looking so cool you act like a man Livin' by terror goverment blessed You're taking your prisoners and shoot down the rest Terrror terror, terror squad Terrror terror, terror squad You're supposed to protect instead you attack Displaying your force you're the Devils in black You think you are Heroes at least so you act That you are just cowards is surely a fact Terrror terror, terror squad Terrror terror, terror... Read Full Story
“The Siege of Charleston” is a fascinating chapter in The Lost Cause: Myths and Realities of the Confederacy ( see previous post ) by William C. Davis, and provides excellent information about naval operations in the area over the course of the war. I found of particular interest that Lincoln packed a couple of fleets of aged merchant and whaling ships with granite and floated them into the mouth of the harbor where he had them intentionally scuttled. The obvious intent was to foil those who... Read Full Story
Indulge me while I - mull over and expound upon - one of Dr. McPherson’s essays in Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution . If the mantel of “revolutionary” is worn by individuals who - because of their unique presence - drive transformational change, Abraham Lincoln must certainly be considered among them. Such a label might at first seem unfitting in that Lincoln was known for his conservatism. Indeed his early actions reflected caution revolutionary” took a big leap forward... Read Full Story
"Governor, if I had foreseen the use those people designed to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in my right hand." Robert E Lee Source: To Governor Fletcher S. Stockdale (September 1870), as quoted in The Life and Letters of Robert Lewis Dabney, pp. 497-500 "I am in favor of making a thorough trial for peace... Read Full Story
The following observations from the pen of the commander of the Wildcat battery during the Civil War, John Tidball, were written many years after the conflict. He was, during the war one of the most repected of Union Artillery men - his battery being considered by many as the ‘crack’ battery of the Federal forces. [...] Read Full Story
