This was an interesting find today during some Google Book browsing. The Romance of the Civil War was published in 1903 and edited by Albert Bushnell Hart and Elizabeth Stevens. However, the title is a bit misleading. When I first found it I expected the “romantic” nature of late 19th century writing to bring forth an expected confined and yet allusive narrative that would live up to the title. Well,…

The debate over how we can apply (or combine) qualitative and quantitative research to Civil War soldiers has led some to proclaim that soldier studies has run into a “scholarly logjam.” The overwhelming amount of soldier letters alone produces a problematic situation. Historians can cherry pick from a plethora of primary sources that, indeed, allows us (if we wish) to make a claim on just about any ideological basis. So…

Gettysburg: The Last Invasion by Allen C. Guelzo. Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. Cloth, ISBN: 0307594084. $35.00. I am not a big “battle study” book guy; I have maybe a shelf and a half dedicated to this genre of historiography. It’s not because it is beneath me, but because they are above me. I am not a military historian on that level. I know the general movements of important divisions and…

Spent much of today working/research for yet another book on Civil War Memory (I am a good year away from a compete manuscript!) that focuses on the soldiers and how they remembered such issues as patriotism, Union, slavery, ect., as expressed in their reunion association publications. Though historians emphasize that Civil War veterans were citizen first and not professional soldiers, these men hardly talked nor acted like it as they…

I’ve read it countless times in soldier’s letters, “I saw the glistening bayonets of heavy masses of infantry…” or something to that effect. The impact of seeing a brigade (or larger) of the enemy in their front with bayonets fixed cannot be overstated. However, there is some debate as to the use and effectiveness bayonets had on combat during the American Civil War. For example, The 1870 Surgeon General’s Medical…

I’ve been reviewing with my APUSH students for their upcoming AP Exam and thought about soldier studies and a few concepts that we cover over and over again in class, one being: Levels of Questions. Obviously as good stewards of history we know that how we frame our questions is very important and that we must use critical control when we do. With regard to history we focus on the…

Back in March C-SPAN held a panel discussion on U.S.C.T. (United States Colored Troops) during the Civil War. The panel brought up numerous topics with regard to the enlistment and service of colored soldiers within the military — and not just as soldiers. Here is a clip I selected as I found it very interesting and thought I would share it. Enjoy!

1863: Lincoln’s Pivotal Year Harold Holzer (Editor) Sara Vaughn Gabbard (Editor) Contributors: Michael B. Ballard, Orville Vernon Burton, Catherine Clinton, William C. Davis, John F. Marszalek, Edna Greene Medford, Barnet Schechter, Craig L. Symonds, Frank J. Williams, Bob Zeller 216 pages, 6 x 9, 28 Illus., Hardcover SIU Press presents a nicely constructed portrait of the year 1863 with regard to Lincoln’s presidency and the nation. The book consists of…

This interview would not have been possible without the help of the fine folks at Savas Beatie publishing. Lance Herdegen is the former director of the Institute of Civil War Studies at Carroll University. He previously worked for the United Press International (UPI) news service covering national politics and civil rights. He presently is an historical consultant for the Civil War Museum of the Upper Middle West. Mr. Herdegen is…