Surprises and Counterattacks – Cedar Creek, October 19, 1861

I typically try to provide short, easy to digest battle blog posts regarding the places I've visited. The last few weeks, however, have been packed with deadlines and personal life adjustments. As a result, I'll be providing a great video that summarizes the activity at Cedar Creek instead of a written summary. This comes from…

“Disasters Commenced” – Battle of Third Winchester, September 19th, 1864

1864 was a productive and effective year in the Civil War. With Ulysses S. Grant at the helm, the Union armies in all theaters of the war had made progress in tightening the noose around the Confederacy. The branches of Grant’s ultimate plan included his Overland Campaign against Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia,…

“Saturnalia of Blood” – May 12th, 1864, Spotsylvania

The morning of May 12th, 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House had begun with such promise. An early dawn attack upon the Army of Northern Virginia works that composed what was dubbed the “Mule Shoe” looked to be succeeding. By the end of the day, it would bear another name that echoes through the horrors of…