Monthly Archives: February 2019
Artist James Hope and the 1862 Battle of Antietam
Here’s Professor James Broomall of Shepherd University delivering a lecture on the artist James Hope and his paintings about the Battle of Antietam. Hope was an officer in the Vermont Brigade and fought at Antietam. This lecture comes from a class he taught in a course on the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era. The […]
Carrying the Load and Beef on the Hoof
This portion comes from Dr. Hess’s book, Civil War Logistics. Carrying the load refers to pack trains as well as to the soldiers themselves. The army had made use of mules for decades. They were aware of the mule’s capabilities as well as its problems. “A basic problem in managing pack mules was how to adjust […]
Civil War Talk Radio Episode 1517- The War Outside My Window
This is a discussion of this diary between the editor, Janet Croon, and host Gerald Prokopowicz. It’s the diary of LeRoy Gresham, a 16-year-old invalid son of a Georgia slaveowner. The observations he makes during the war are surprisingly insightful.
The Tattooed Historian Presents: Dr. Peter S. Carmichael
Here’s Professor Peter Carmichael in a terrific discussion with John Heckman, aka, “The Tattooed Historian” at the Garryowen Pub in Gettysburg, PA. They discuss Dr. Carmichael’s latest book, The War for the Common Soldier. The video’s description reads, “Dr. Peter S. Carmichael, Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College, sits down for this installment […]
Coastal Shipping and Logistics
This information comes from Dr. Hess’s book, Civil War Logistics. Coastal shipping was very important to Union logistics. “The Federal government pressured the perimeter of Rebel territory by landing troops at key locations along the coast. From these enclaves Union forces threatened Confederate railroads, shut down blockade-running ports, and compelled the enemy to detach troops to […]
Robert E. Lee in War and Peace with Dr. Don Hopkins
Here’s a video with Dr. Don Hopkins discussing R. E. Lee’s life in the photos taken of him. The video’s description reads, “Dr. Don Hopkins discusses his book which is a photographic biography of Lee. Dr. Hopkins’ book contains all 61 photographs taken of Lee during his lifetime. He also discusses various photographic methods of […]
Wagons, Ho!
We’ve discussed strategic logistics up to now. This posting is about wagon trains that accompanied the troops at the tactical level. This portion comes from Dr. Hess’s book, Civil War Logistics. “Although rough to ride in because it had no suspension system of any kind, the wagon was well equipped. It contained a tool box, a […]
Railroads and Logistics
Much of the following is taken from Dr. Earl Hess’s book, Civil War Logistics. There have been more books on the use of railroads in the Civil War than most other forms of transportation. For example, there is Robert C. Black III, The Railroads of the Confederacy (UNC Press, 1952); John E. Clark, Jr., Railroads in the Civil […]
An Unsung Hero Helps Win the War
More from Dr. Earl J. Hess’s book, Civil War Logistics. One standard explanation for United States victory in the Civil War is that the United States had overwhelming resources. They did have a significant advantage in resources, but such advantage needs to be brought to bear in order to have an effect. The U.S. Quartermaster system […]
What Did Quartermasters Do?
This information comes from Dr. Earl Hess’s book, Civil War Logistics: A Study of Military Transportation. Most of us know a quartermaster was in charge of supplying the needs of the soldiers, but their job was even more complex. “Quartermasters were vested with the responsibility for procuring and managing military transportation in the Civil War. They […]
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