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Death of a mascot – Sallie
During the Civil War, many regiments had mascots to lift their spirits and provide a sense of companionship during the difficult and often terrifying days of battle. One such mascot was Sallie, a Staffordshire Terrier who became the beloved pet of the 11th...
William Henry Johnson – Abraham Lincoln’s Valet
On November 19, 1863, President Lincoln's visit to Gettysburg was a whirlwind affair, lasting just 24 hours, yet packed with a relentless schedule. Despite retiring to bed late, Lincoln rose early on the 19th, embarking on a guided tour of the battlefield. The pivotal...
General Reynolds and Kate Hewett
A Secret Civil War Engagement At the time that he was killed during the first day of the battle, John Reynolds was secretly engaged to a woman by the name of Kate Hewett. His family did not even know about Kate. But when Reynolds' body was returned home to Lancaster,...
Major Sullivan Ballou and the Letter to His Wife Sarah
On July 14th, 1861, Major Sullivan Ballou wrote a letter to his wife Sarah at home in Rhode Island one week before he fought and died in the First Battle of Bull Run. Sullivan Ballou was born to Hiram and Emeline Ballou, a distinguished Huguenot...
AL Coble Rock Carving in Gettysburg
Finding rock carvings is a great way to explore the Gettysburg Battlefield. One of my favorites is the AL Coble rock carving in the area of Spangler's Spring. AL Coble was 20-year-old Augustus L. Coble of Company E of the 1st North Carolina...
The Civil War in Color
As many of you know, I love to colorize original Civil War era photographs as a way to relax. I call them my "adult coloring books." I have also created two tutorial videos so you can learn to create your own colorizations. Learn to colorize Civil War...
Civil War in Color Series – Secret Service Officers
During the first two days of fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee's Confederate forces attacked General George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac. Shortly after nightfall on the second day, General Meade assembled a Council of War at the home of...
Abraham Lincoln for President – August 8 1860
On Wednesday, August 8, 1860, the Illinois Republicans hold an immense rally to celebrate Lincoln's nomination in Springfield. Thousands of people attend and a giant morning procession passes Lincoln's residence which he reviews from his doorway. In the afternoon...