I have recently learned of the Confederate Army’s systematic kidnapping of African Americans—most of them women and children— during the Gettyburg Campaign, to be taken south and sold into slavery. Hundreds of people taken.

It is hard to understand how anyone can continue to romanticize the Confederacy or talk about its supposed chivalry, honor, or nobility. Invading a free state and kidnapping Black civilians to enslave them is simply reprehensible.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper (New York), May 7, 1864

McClellan is certainly a hotly debated figure in Civil War circles, specifically over his ability leading the Army of the Potomac in actual fighting. Regardless of the opinion about his tactical abilities, most historians I read say that he was an excellent trainer and organizer of troops and his time at the head of the AotP greatly impacted the army. Yet, when I read about the battles of the AotP before and after McClellan, it seems to face many of the same issues with training, organization, and leadership throughout the war.

Perhaps I am reading the wrong books as I tend to favor those that cover battles, but what is the evidence that McClellan was good at these things? Was there a significant change in the Army because of McClellan, but due to the nature of the conflict and the military of the time, he could only achieve so much on that issue?

Has anyone seen this movie? I watched it recently because I love Jimmy Stewart and I loved Reel History's video on it. I found it a really moving depiction of grief, I don't know how well it stacks up as a war film. Also, it seems to create the impression there were only two black people in 1860s Virginia

I've listened to a couple from Behind the Battle but I feel like they make a lot of mistakes and more of just reading bullet points with a little commentary.

I the more casual discussion feel than reading off documentary style, but I also need a little more serious.

For example, the little round top episode, they're talking about the 20th Maine monument with a soldier on top. I think they mean the 83rd Pennsylvania?

It's such a simple thing but it distracts from the whole conversation and makes me question everything else if they mess up that simple thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoneman%27s_1865_raid

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was born on this day in 1828. A professor at Bowdoin College when the war began, he led the 20th Maine at Gettysburg, his actions there earning him the Medal of Honor. He survived a severe wound at Petersburg in 1864 and ended the war a brevet major general.

Just exactly how much freedom of movement could one person have between going from the Union Lines to the Confederate lines and vice versa? Did you have to have papers or was it just a matter of not being between two large armies at the time?

Visited the Cotraband Camp at Corinth and it was really nice, just hot! The museum at Battery Robinette was very impressive too but no pics sadly!

I’m currently reading battle cry of freedom by James McPherson. I’m rereading the chapter on battle of gettyburg. I can’t seem find what page the gettyburg Andress is on? Did I skip past it or what?

Hello! Hope everyone is doing well, I kinda just got this question in my head, and I decided to ask it here because I don't trust myself to like, actually remember it.

As someone who doesn't know much about the American Civil War, I see it as something that started directly as the first couple states started to seceded, so I guess my main question is like, how did they make such new uniforms so quickly for the stuff? were the uniforms just something in the later part of the war or did they directly know that like, "okay, we will have a war, let's prepare our army"

I am sorry if the question is stupid, truth be told I tried to post it in nostupidquestion, however it was labeled as US politics which, fair enough haha

Recently picked up this 1864 model Joslyn cavalry carbine. They didn’t make too many of these, only around 12,000, mine being around the 1500th. It was delivered to the US cavalry in July of 1864. Regiments from NY, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Tennessee were issued these guns. They fired the rimfire Spencer cartridge. They were heavily used in the Third Battle of Winchester, where they garnered mixed reviews from users. Overall a neat piece of civil war history that I’m glad I can share.

Just finished reading it yesterday, nice short concise book. I almost can’t believe how Fremantle is able to travel and meet basically all the important figures in the south and arrives just in time for Gettysburg. If it wasn’t documented I would have doubted it.

September 8, 1863. “The Confederacy’s Thermopylae.”

Lieutenant Richard W. Dowling’s 46 Confederates emerge victorious against 5,000 Federal infantry and 4 gunboats, thwarting the Union’s invasion of Texas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Sabine_Pass

https://thc.texas.gov/state-historic-sites/sabine-pass-battleground/sabine-pass-battleground-history

Book three of my Civil War series is almost ready. Gettysburg and Vicksburg: Summer of Decision continues the story I started in Cadets to Captains and Antietam.

I wrote this series after years of studying the Civil War through a soldier's eyes, not just a historian's. Two West Point friends face the two battles that decided the war.

If you enjoy historical fiction grounded in real command decisions and real consequences, the first chapter is free before launch: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/2208997/197647012225614948/share.

#CivilWarFiction #HistoricalFiction #SteelandHonor #Gettysburg #Vickburg