You might have noticed that I study Virginia history quite a bit, particularly the in Civil War era. So our first presidential trivia post for this month is about the eight national leaders born in the “Old Dominion State.”
Without looking, take a guess…
Now, read on and enjoy some presidential history and trivia! Continue reading
This week has been a little crazy with an editing/writing project. (Details coming later!) So…unfortunately, I don’t have the blog post series for the Fridays in October started.
However, I thought I’d share two blog posts I’ve recently written for Emerging Civil War. This summer I did some traveling and research in Virginia and Maryland, and these are two wonderful places I was able to visit. Photos and article links are listed below. Continue reading
Once upon a time, you’ll see an unforgettable flag in a history museum. It might be in tatters from fierce fights; it might be preserved in pristine condition. Maybe it’s a story about the flag or the unit that will intrigue you. Or maybe it’s something on the flag it’s self.
Flags illustrate ideas. One particular flag of the American Civil War – carried by Company E of the 4th Virginia Cavalry – is unforgettable to me for it’s unique design and Virginian message of defending beloved families. Continue reading
May 13, 1861
…I was interrupted and I have not been able to write another line since and I have missed the chance of the morning mail. It is now arriving, and alarms have great been given & our troops are moving in large bodies in two directions but I am sure it is a false alarm, and now as I write an office has just appeared & informs me it is so. A heavy rain is falling & our troops poor fellows are out in it.
My position here is very prominent. I only fear I cannot sustain myself, the duties are exceedingly heavy but of this say nothing. I am sure I have so far gained friends and reputation, I speak to you as I would speak to myself. Army officers are reporting to me for orders every day and I feel quite out of place. I do not know when or whether I shall at all receive an appointment as Adjutant General. I know that Col Jackson has written a very strong letter in my favour but it [is] a post which I fear I may fail in if appointed. Our force is being enlarged now greatly and as they come in my duties increase. Continue reading
Flags. Simple cloth with so much meaning. In the last year, there have been fierce debates about certain flags from the Civil War era; to re-hash those arguments and re-fight those battles is not the purpose of the June’s Historical Theme of the Month on Gazette665 –
“Battlefield Banners: Flags of the American Civil War.” Instead of focusing on the “national” flags, I thought it would a positive experience to learn about some of the colors carried by certain units – regiments, brigades, etc. Continue reading
April 20, 1861
…We are now in a state of war which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution, into which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn; and though I recognize no necessity for this state of things, and would have foreborne and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person, I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native state. Continue reading
