“Under a heavy fire carried his wounded commanding officer from the field.”– from the Medal of Honor citation of Thomas F. Ellsworth, 55th Massachusetts Infantry Read More »
Category: Nick Smith
By Their Gallantry in Action
When the Civil War began, the United States had no official medals or other decorations that could be awarded to soldiers or sailors for bravery Read More »
Summer Camp: Civil War Veteran Associations
The local Civil War veterans, especially the Union Army veterans, tended to socialize together both locally and on “road trips.” Some were to reunions at Read More »
Causes Natural and Unnatural
Last week’s column may have given you the unfortunate idea that old soldiers simply died in bed, of old age or disease, or both. While Read More »
Hospital and Home
As the veterans of the Civil War grew older, they faced many problems. One of the main political lobbying efforts of the Grand Army of Read More »
Two Who Wore Gray: Confederates Who Went West
There is a clichéd image of Confederates going west after the war, of gunfighters and bounty hunters, outlaws and ranchers, all escaping poverty and ruin. Read More »
Statue in the Park
“John McDonald, Esq., “Chairman Pasadena Memorial Statue Committee: “Dear Sir: As per your instructions received from H. H. Kitson, sculptor, Boston, Mass., we have this Read More »
Portrait of an Artist: How Research Happens (Part 2 of 2)
Once I finally dug up Ludwig’s military records, my theory fell apart. Julius Ludwig didn’t enlist until 1864 (not early in the war), and apparently Read More »
Portrait of an Artist: How Research Happens (Part 1 of 2)
Several people have asked me how historical research is done, or other questions about the process of learning about the men and women featured in Read More »
The Last Reunion – Gettysburg 1938
In central Pennsylvania in early July it’s either as hot as the devil’s front porch or raining barrels, with thunder and lightning to boot. If Read More »
