[Originally posted at my former site, Blog4History] For Country, Cause & Leader, The Civil War Journal of Charles B. Haydon, edited by Stephen W. Sears. A resident of Decatur, Michigan, Charles B. Haydon enlisted in early 1861 during the first rush to “defend the colors.” He joined the Kalamazoo Light Guards and ended up with the 2nd Michigan Infantry, Company I. His diary/journal is one of the more lucid, vivid,…

Did Abe Lincoln sport a beard for the majority of his life? Why the funky beards and sideburns during the Civil War? Did the term “sideburns” some from old General Burnside and his notorious facial hair? Did the term “Hooker” for ladies of the evening really come from General Hooker’s allowing of women to follow his baggage train? I don’t know if any or all of these questions are (or…

A little “Rebel Yell” anyone?