The burning of Atlanta by Union General Sherman is a notorious incident of the Civil War. We can read Sherman’s own words, in a telegram to Ulysses S. Grant: “…utter destruction of its roads, houses, and people will cripple their military resources. …I can make the march and make Georgia howl.” Sherman’s “March to the […]
Sunday mornings were usually quiet at Yale University. Not so on the January 20th, 1861, when students and professors woke to find a secession flag on top of a campus building. During the night some students had raised a flag with a red cross displayed in the center. On the cross were 15 stars representing […]
Douglas the Camel served with the 43rd Mississippi Infantry during the Civil War. By the time he became a Rebel, though, “Old Douglas” was already a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army camel brigade. Here is his back story. Jefferson Davis is well known as the President of the Confederacy, but it is less […]
This unique flag was created in Richmond, Virginia, for the 5th Texas Regiment: the “Bloody Fifth.” This was one of three Texas regiments that fought with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Their flag was based on the design of the Confederate First National Flag, the Stars and Bars. Instead of a circle of stars representing […]
It was the winter of 1861 – 1862. The 5th Texas was encamped on the Potomac River, the 5th New York across the river. The New Yorkers were a Zouave regiment, meaning they wore uniforms modeled after French Colonial soldiers. The men on both sides were known for their courage. Choice words were exchanged, explaining […]
Confederate territory included areas of the Five Civilized Tribes of Native Americans. Tribal members joined the conflict. The Cherokee Mounted rifles fought out west, ultimately coming under the command of one of their own, Stand Watie (shown here). Watie’s birth name was Tak-er-taw-ker, meaning “Stands Firm.” He combined parts of his own Cherokee name with that […]
Above you can see Thomas Bates of the 6th Texas Infantry, holding a Bowie knife and revolver. Texans played a key role at Antietam on September 17th, 1862: the bloodiest single day in American military history. The morning thundered as the armies of Robert E. Lee and McClellan clashed, near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Fights raged back […]
It may be of interest to read words from letters written home by Confederate soldiers during Christmas. The first is a letter by Henry Kyd Douglas, who was being held at Johnson’s Island Prison in Ohio. Henry had been with Stonewall Jackson at Gettysburg, where he was injured and the captured. In a Christmas 1863 […]
Private Valerius Giles had picket duty on Christmas day, 1861. A member of the 4th Texas Regiment, Giles “had a splendid view of the river for two or three miles in each direction.” Across the river was a Union brigade from New York. The day was bitterly cold, with snow “gently and silently falling, deepening […]
It was the winter of 1862, and the little Virginia town of Warrenton – a village, really – was in the hands of the Yankees. But the people of Warrenton were trying to make the best of it as Christmas approached. One of the women living there was the wife of a Confederate General. He […]
Flags are a very interesting piece of fabrics. The hold so many different meanings and representation depending on what they are. They can represent a whole country, and even cause controversy. To a historian their meaning is much different. They are a piece of history which needs to be preserved forever. Key Takeaways: Flags can […]
Christmas in the American Civil War (1861–1865) was celebrated in both the United States and the Confederate States of America although the day did not become an official holiday until five years after the war ended. The war continued to rage on Christmas and skirmishes occurred throughout the countryside. Celebrations for both troops and civilians […]
