Monthly Archives: August 2015
Lincoln’s Antislavery Politics
Here’s Prof. James Oakes on Lincoln’s political actions against slavery. The video’s description reads, “James Oakes talked about Abraham Lincoln’s relationship with abolitionist movements and antislavery politics. Mr. Oakes spoke about the abolitionist movements of the day and how they helped transform a politically cautious Lincoln into an emancipator.” This is an excellent presentation. http://www.c-span.org/video/?326989-1/lincolns-antislavery-politics
United States v. The Kitty
The citation for this case is 26 Fed. Cas. 791, Case No. 15,537. This is a forfeiture case arising from the slave trade. It’s from February 1, 1808 in the Federal Court for the District of South Carolina, with Federal Judge Thomas Bee presiding. Judge Bee begins by giving us the facts of the case: […]
Meade Breaks Longstreet with Gettysburg National Military Park Bill Hewitt
Here’s a terrific battle walk Ranger Bill Hewitt led on Major General George G. Meade on July 2, 1863. Great job, Bill!
The American Civil War Then and Now
Here is an outstanding project from the Guardian. We start with a period photograph, which you can then morph into a modern photograph of the same spot. You can see the change in the area that’s happened since the Civil War. Additionally, there’s an audio file to play from a commentator speaking about the action […]
United States v. Morrison
The citation for this case is 26 Fed. Cas. 1349, Case No. 15,817. This is from the June, 1869 term of the District Court for South Carolina, and Chief Justice Salmon Chase was the circuit judge presiding. This case is like the Huger case discussed a couple of days ago. Morrison was the US postmaster […]
April 1865
This is Jay Winik’s story of the [almost] end of the Civil War. He calls April of 1865 “the month that saved America.” Mr. Winik is obviously a genius marketer and he’s an engaging writer, but that’s all hyperbole. By April of 1865 the war was almost over, and many confederates saw the writing on […]
Happy 99th Birthday to the National Park Service
August 25 is the National Park Service’s 99th Birthday! You can celebrate by visiting a national park. All park entrance fees are waived for the day. Check it out. Enjoy the scenery, commune with nature, learn some history, say hi to a ranger. In honor of the Park Service’s 99th birthday, they’ve put together 99 […]
United States v. Huger et al.
The citation for this case is 26 Fed. Cas. 412, Case No. 15,415. It’s from the May 1868 term of the Circuit Court for the District of South Carolina with Federal Judge George Seabrook Bryan presiding. Alfred Huger was the postmaster for the city of Charleston, appointed by President Andrew Jackson in 1832 until South […]
Confederate Operations in Canada and New York
This is a book by John W. Headley, who was one of the confederate operatives operating out of Canada. He had served under Nathan Bedford Forrest and was a scout for John Hunt Morgan. He was involved in plots to free confederate prisoners held at Johnson’s Island and was involved in the fire attack on […]
Thorington v. Smith
The citation for this case is 75 US [8 Wallace] 1. In November of 1864, William Smith and John Hartley purchased land from Jack Thorington near Montgomery, Alabama. The price was $45,000, and they paid $35,000 in confederate money, giving a note to Thorington for $10,000. All parties expected the note to be paid in […]
Student of the American Civil War 
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