Civil War Voices » Civil War Soldiers
The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat
The American Civil War was the last conflict where both sides predominately used single-shot muzzle loading rifles, yet the technology of the rifle was such improved that historians have largely assumed that the rifles used in the war revolutionized the nature of the conflict. However, as historian Earl J. Hess (and a few others such as Paddy Griffith and Brent Nosworthy) has discovered, though the rifle used during the American Civil War allowed for the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers
Civil War Letters of Henry H. Twining
On April 9, 1865, just hours after Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and for all practical purposes ended the Civil War, the Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment charged across a hellish field of abatis, snarled debris, and ravines loaded with landmines. Their target was Fort Blakely, Alabama. A needless assault (20,000 against less than 2,000) that took only minutes to complete, cost the Eleventh Wisconsin 61 casualties, and ordered by … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers, Letters
Confederate Soldiers during the Gettysburg Champaign, we “made the inhabitants feel the horrors of war”
Charles J.C. Hutson was with the South Carolina 1st Infantry serving with Major General William Pender of Hill’s Corps, and as they entered Pennsylvania, they traveled on the Turnpike towards Harrisburg. Listening to Hutson describe the march, one would think the Confederates were doing an early version of Sherman’s March: We entered Penn. with as fine an army as was ever enlisted, lived for some time upon the bounty of that rich country, made the inhabitants … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers, Letters
Letters Home from the Front, Christmas 1862, Such is the Fate of War
Christmas was often a time of reflection for Civil War soldiers as their hearts and minds fixated on past and more joyous times. In spirit of the Holiday we here at Soldier Studies wanted to share with you some touching letters dealing with Christmas. Samuel J. Bradlee took pen in hand on Christmas Day (1864) and wrote home to his beloved wife, “Just four short years ago tonight you and I solemnly plighted our faith … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers, Essay, Lincoln's Thinking Bayonets, Uncategorized
The Charge of the Heavy Artillery
[This is one of more thoughtful and provoking reflections by a soldier concerning a battle that I have ever come across while curator for Soldier Studies. This account was published in the "Main Bugle" (January, 1894.) a short lived quarterly publication depicting the exploits and histories of various Maine regiments. The 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Regiment took part in one of the most intense and bloodiest engagements you will ever read about. On a stretch … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers, Soldier Studies, Veterans
…the hopes of liberty which they had kept alive…
On July 7, 1862 a fierce but small battle took place near Bayou Cache River in eastern Arkansas. During the fight the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers was called into action to help sustain a charge that resulted in the Confederates fleeing from the battlefield. The regiment hisorian noted the arrival after the battle of Contraband, who he described as literally crawling out of the woodwork and flocking to the Union line: On our march the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers, Contraband, Lincoln's Thinking Bayonets
Video: A letter sent from a man on the front lines to his wife back home
A letter sent from a man on the front lines to his wife back home. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers, Letters
Unknown Soldier’s Letter with Patriotic Envelope
No name or unit and unable to log into the database. Thomas is the last name, probably a member of a Maine unit: Buds Ferry Camp Hooker Feb. lst Brother George, I now have got a chance to write you a few lines and I will improve it I am well as usual & I had a letter from Ed the other day and he was also well. It has rained here for about a month and the mud is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civil War Soldiers, Letters
Book Review: Brave Men in Desperate Times: The Civil War Combat Experience
Brave Men in Desperate Times: The Civil War Combat Experience is written by John McKay and published by Globe Pequot. Those of you who know the focus of this blog and my background know that I am a sucker for anything that focuses on “soldier studies” and the Civil War. Every day there are countless amounts of not seen before letters and diaries that appear online at places like Ebay and here on soldierstudies.org, writings … Read entire article »
Filed under: Book Reviews, Civil War Soldiers
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