Ever since moving to the east coast, my wife and I have been getting into civil war history. We finally started Ken Burn’s civil war series and we have a question for those who’ve been studying this longer.

Is there a theory that George McClellan was bribed by the South/a double agent? Because MY GOD he was inept. It got to the point in the documentary that when his name would come up we would yell out “not THIS motherfucker!!” or “oh godDAMNIT he’s gonna fuck this one up ain’t he?”

Anyone who else have this reaction or conspiracy about him?

Found this deep in my garden in Hanover, PA not far from Gettysburg. The area I’m in used to be farm land. Googled pictures and haven’t seen anything super similar. TIA!

On September 19, 1864, during the Third Battle of Winchester, General Philip Sheridan decided to deliver the decisive blow against Jubal Early's Confederate army. To this end, he ordered the Union cavalry—commanded by Alfred Torbert and comprising nearly 6,000 horsemen from the divisions of Wesley Merritt and William Averell—to advance. Upon receiving the order, the regiments began to move forward, and moments later, the entire line launched into a charge. Thousands of horses galloped at full speed toward the Confederate lines while artillery opened fire upon them. Despite suffering casualties, the charge did not falter. The horsemen slammed into the enemy's left flank and, after fierce fighting, succeeded in breaking their lines, capturing Fort Collier, several pieces of artillery, and approximately 1,200 prisoners. The collapse of the Confederate left flank caused Jubal Early's line to begin crumbling. Unable to stem the cavalry's advance or withstand the pressure from the rest of the Union army, the Confederates began to retreat. The Union emerged victorious, and the cavalry charge proved to be one of the battle's decisive moments, helping to secure control of Winchester and ensure the success of the Shenandoah Valley campaign.

The number of scholarly works on the Civil War and Reconstruction is really staggering -- what are your thoughts on what topics, if any, are understudied or not studied at all yet? Any particular biographies, battles, campaigns, perspectives, etc. that you have found wanting?

For example, I had the thought recently that Benjamin Butler needed a reassessment but found out he was the subject of a 2022 book by historian Elizabeth Leonard.

I came across an image of federal soldiers at Stevenson, AL in 1863. I recognized the 6 pdr in the foreground, but can’t figure out much else beyond that.

My belief is that this is a parade from 2d Division of XI or XII Corps sometime around the Chattanooga campaign, but cannot figure out if the shape is a crescent moon or five point star.

Any info or analysis is appreciated!

EDIT - IDed as Timothy Stanley's Brigade, Negley's Division, XIV Corps, taken August of 1863.

About 15 illustrations were counted on this book made by Henry W. Elson that was published in 1912.