When I spoke at the Southern Festival of Books in Oct. 2013, a member of the audience asked if there were any African American troops fighting at Milliken’s Bend on the Confederate side. I replied that there were not. He … Continue reading →
It is a common misconception that there were Buffalo Soldiers during the Civil War. To be sure, around 300,000 black men served as soldiers in the Union army, but they were not known as Buffalo Soldiers. This distinctive name would … Continue reading →
I, for one, am impressed with Daniel Rasmussen’s American Uprising: The Untold Story of America’s Largest Slave Revolt, in which he tells the story of a slave uprising in 1811 in an area known as the “German Coast,” just north … Continue reading →
On July 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced his policy of “retaliation.” This word had a very specific meaning when wielded by politicians, editors, and generals, on both sides. In its most basic terms, it meant a war without mercy, … Continue reading →
Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1863: Chicago Tribune, many other historical newspapers and much more – including Civil War military records – are available on subscription through Fold3. Check ’em out!
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