John Harrison Surratt was born on April 13, 1844, the last child of Mary and John Surratt, Sr. Surratt’s father managed to purchase a boarding house in Washington along with a tavern in Surrattsville, Maryland, where he also served as the local postmaster. As a...
In late June 1863, Sallie Myers was a school teacher who had just turned 21. She was on summer vacation when Confederate forces invaded her hometown of Gettysburg and changed her life forever. She wrote in her diary that “on June 26 they came, spent...
On June 28, 1863, an important event took place in the small town of Chambersburg, Pa that changed the course of Robert E. Lee’sInvasion of the North. A Confederate spy by the name of Harrison came into camp and reported on the movements of Union troops. General...
In 1865, Good Friday, the day that commemorates Christ’s crucifixion, fell on April 14th. As we all know, Abraham Lincoln was shot on Good Friday, April 14, 1865. He died on Saturday, April 15th, and the nation mourned his death on Easter...
A Vision Place of Souls On October 3, 1889, General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain once again returned to Gettysburg for the dedication of the Maine Monuments. During the event, the now general gave a very moving speech that you can read online. I decided, on this...
Over the past few days, Pope Francis has been visiting the United States and talking to families, prisoners and politicians. During the Civil War, politicians also sought the guidance and support of Pope Pius IX. Pius IX was Pope from June 161846 to his death in...
