Civil War Traveler and Blogger
With the massive influx of casualties in the Wilderness, doctors and nurses were working double-time to tend to the wounded in both blue and gray. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated doctors like Jonathon Letterman, the wounded of the Overland Campaign were in a better situation to be efficiently treated than those of previous campaigns.… Continue reading Nurses of the Wilderness – Hill, Hancock, and Barlow
As I learn more about the Civil War, I come to find some interesting stories regarding animals. Of course, the first that comes to mind are horses. Officers and generals rode them into battle, they were used to pull the cannons and limber chests, and there's the cavalry. Then there's the mules and donkeys who… Continue reading A Good Boy – Jack’s Story
Morale was not looking good for the Union Army in the winter of 1862/83. Burnside’s failed attempt to cross the Rappahannock and the disaster upon Maryes Heights gave little hope to the folks back home – and in Washington. Even though Burnside’s debacle had nearly destroyed his reputation as a capable leader, he wanted to… Continue reading Ambrose Burnside and the Mud March
During our latest adventure to Virginia, my husband and I got to tour through many of the major battles from the final years of the war. Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, North Anna, and Petersburg. At each one, I lost my mind over the preserved earthworks around every corner. I just about cried when I saw… Continue reading Ode to Earthworks
It’s rare to come across a first-hand slave account from an individual who lived through the emancipation. There are the famous ones, like Frederick Douglass. One that’s less known and more recently discovered belongs to a man who was born in Fredericksburg. He not only lived to see “the year of jubilee” but endured the… Continue reading John Washington – “Memorys” of a Slave
It’s interesting what rabbit holes a researcher can fall into by accident. I have an extensive wish list for Civil War books. One of which I finally acquired last week, Women of the War: Their Heroism and Self-Sacrifice by Frank Moore. While perusing through the back description, I caught the word “Fredericksburg” and immediately flipped… Continue reading Nellie M. Chase – Nightingale of Fredericksburg
William Barksdale, in many ways, epitomized the image of the southern general during and after the Civil War. He was born in Smyrna, Tennessee on August 21, 1821, the eldest son of William Barksdale and Nancy Hervey Lester Barksdale. He studied law at the University of Nashville, but for the remainder of his adult life,… Continue reading William Barksdale – Mississippi Fire-Eater
Many like to think that the Civil War was a strict divide of north and south. Those in the north believed in the power of the Union and that slavery was morally wrong. Those in the south believed in minimal government interference in state matters and endorsed slavery. However, the truth is far more complex… Continue reading Mary Blackford – Advocate for Colonization
Reading about the Civil War can be a bittersweet experience. It’s fascinating and engaging, but can be heavy at times. I mean, reading about the monumental losses, the tragedy, the death tolls, the hardships, it can get pretty depressing pretty quickly. One thing that I enjoy about Shelby Foote’s Civil War Narrative series is that… Continue reading Edward Porter Alexander – Artillery at Fredericksburg
It’s about time we checked in with Elisha Hunt Rhodes of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers. Last we left him was at Bull Run Creek where his regiment guarded the rear of the “skedaddling” Union Army. Now promoted to 2nd Lieutenant as of July 24th, 1862, Rhodes has been tried in battle after battle. He… Continue reading Rhode Island in Fredericksburg
Belle on the Battlefield 