Teacher, Retired Air Force Officer, Former HR Manager, Longtime Civil War Student, Sci Fi fan, Hokie Forever.
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Civil War Technology The description for this video reads, "U.S. Naval Academy professor Wayne Hsieh explored advances in military science and technology to determine if the Civil War was a modern war. This event was part of a conference hosted by the American Civil War Museum in Richmond,…
Fatal Terrain The ravine at the Pickett’s Mill battlefield. Union attackers crossed this ravine from the left to attack entrenched Confederates at the top of the slope to the right. The final upward slope of the assault covered a 7.5% grade. Photo by Scott Hippensteel This article from Civil War…
Untitled Edenton, N.C.'s Confederate monument . Photo by Mechelle Hankerson We begin with this article about the confederate monument in Edenton, NC. "The Confederate monument that has stood for decades at the foot of South Broad Street in Edenton is no longer there. Crews removed the statue…
“Indoctrination”? We Call It “Education.” I found this article by Dr. James Grossman, former Executive Director of the American Historical Association. "It is not unusual for American presidents to have an interest in history. In some cases, such as Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and John F.…
Free & Enslaved People during the Gettysburg Campaign Thanks to "StuffWriter" for posting this video. This is an excellent battle walk Gettysburg National Military Park Historian Rachael Nicholas conducted.
Slavery, Emancipation, & the 2nd MD Campaign Ranger Rachael Nicholas, Park Historian at the Gettysburg National Military Park, gives a fine campfire lecture based on her upcoming Ph.D. dissertation. The video's description reads, "Ranger Rachael Nicholas leads a campfire talk covering the 1864…
Less than 20 minutes to go.
A Consideration of Photographs of Antietam’s Dead This is Professor Jim Broomall speaking at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland. The video's description reads, "Historian and Professor Jim Broomall takes a new look at the famous images of dead soldiers on the Antietam…
The Week in Confederate Heritage A statue honoring Confederate soldiers, dedicated on the Franklin, Tenn., town square in 1899. (Photo: John Partipilo) We consider this Op-Ed article from Tennessee. "I hear from many Tennesseans concerned about the Trump administration’s effort to wind the clock…
The guy is a complete idiot.
Huge dart board?
Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence in History Education This is an outstanding educational resource for teachers. The American Historical Association developed this resource, and we are in debt to them for it. They tell us, "In 2023, the American Historical Association Council charged…
Need to cover up that one wall there.
Almost time.
The Future of Our Nation’s Past I have this essay from Dr. Ashley Whitehead Luskey, Assistant Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. "In a poignant vignette, author Nevada Barr describes a short interchange between a male visitor and a National Park Service (NPS) ranger at…
Company Commander This is an excellent memoir by Charles B. MacDonald. Getting to Europe in September of 1944, MacDonald was a 21-year-old replacement officer in the 23rd Infantry, first taking command of I Company, and then after recovering from a wound he took command of G Company. The book was…
Acts of War In this book, Richard Holmes seeks to provide an overview of how soldiers experience ground combat. He quotes historian John Connell: "War has had us in its thrall. It has horrified us and fascinated us ... The stench of war has seeped into our souls. We have talked endlessly about…
General Włodzimierz Krzyżanowski – Gettysburg Campfire Program with Ranger Andrew Regiec Thanks to "StuffWriter" for posting this video. The video's description reads, "Ranger Andrew Regiec leads a campfire talk about the life and works of General Włodzimierz Krzyżanowski, the Polish-American…
The Week in Confederate Heritage A Midland ISD employee walks past the front of Legacy High School on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Midland. Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune We begin with this article from Midland, Texas, detailing more of the racist, pro-treason backlash against the…
Social justice and impeachment: Thaddeus Stevens was a trailblazer for both This article from 2021 looks at Thaddeus Stevens, an almost forgotten hero Tommy Lee Jones brilliantly portrayed in the movie Lincoln. Neoconfederates and other racists hate him, but he was a giant in his time. "Thaddeus…
On War Most people read about what Clausewitz wrote. I finally read what Clausewitz wrote. In Air Command and Staff College and Air War College in the Air Force I read excerpts, but this time I read the entire work. This edition begins with an 80-page introduction by the editor, Anatol Rapoport,…
I think his performance review went okay. His boss seemed pleased before going back to Russia.
Looks like he survived his performance review. His boss looked pleased.
Bringing American History Back Home for the 250th Johann Neem delivered the inaugural James M. Banner, Jr., Lecture on the State of the Discipline of History on January 4, 2025. Marc Monaghan This essay comes from the James M. Banner lecture Professor Johann Neem delivered on January 4, 2025. The…
Weapons of the American Revolutionary War The video's description reads, "Historian Erik Goldstein discussed the small arms weapons used in the fight for American independence. This was part of the American Revolutionary War in the West conference hosted by the St. Charles County (MO) Historical…
He's a horrible person with no redeeming qualities.
The Longest Day This classic book by Cornelius Ryan tells the story of D-Day, 6 June 1944. One thing that endeared the book to me was, as a fan of the movie, The Longest Day, I was happy to see how closely the movie adhered to the book. Many of the scenes in the movie came directly from the book.…
A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier This is a memoir by Joseph Plumb Martin, who was an enlisted soldier in the Continental Army of the American Revolution. You can read it for free here. Originally published anonymously in 1830, the book was written well after the Revolution, when Martin was…
The Week in Confederate Heritage The statue Albert Pike, the only statue of a Confederate general in Washington, D.C., was toppled by protesters on June 19, 2020. Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images The racist fascists currently defiling our government are at it again, leading a backlash against the…
Today's used book sale haul.
Guerrilla Violence in the Civil War As the description for this video tells us, "Co-authors of a graphic history book talked about instances of guerrilla violence in the Kansas-Missouri area during the Civil War. This program was hosted by the Kansas City Public Library in Missouri."
One of my all-time favorite Trek episodes.
Didn't he invent a type of camera?
Robert A. Heinlein, cat lover.
George Washington’s Character "Gene Allen Smith, a Texas Christian University history professor, taught a class about George Washington's character. He examined how the first president interacted with his contemporaries, how he viewed himself, and how he is remembered."
Excellent activity for social studies teachers or anyone interested in Civil War history. Professor Ayers is outstanding. marketing.gilderlehrman.org/l/941553/202...
Colonial Tensions Pre-Revolution The description for this video reads, "Ithaca College professor Michael Trotti discussed the escalating tensions between colonists and the British government before the American Revolution. Ithaca College is located in New York."
Depends if it's post-Kelvins or during the Kelvins.
Force-Structure Comparisons of the Armies at Gettysburg This is an article by Douglas R. Kleinsmith in Gettysburg Magazine, Issue 54, January 2016, pp. 51-58. He begins by telling us, "In this battle, the organization and unit integrity of the infantry force structure of the Union army had a…
1607 Jamestown Settlement The description for this video tells us, "College of William & Mary lecturer Amy Stallings discussed the history of the 1607 Jamestown fort and settlement in Virginia, and how Americans have tried to preserve and remember the first permanent English settlement in the…
Weapons Technology in the Revolutionary War This is an excellent lecture by Professor Paul Lockhart. The video's description reads, "Wright State University professor Paul Lockhart taught a class on the development of weapons technology in the American Revolution. Wright State University is…
The 69th New York Storm the Wheatfield Thanks to "StuffWriter" for posting this video of Ranger Dan Welch's battle walk looking at the 69th New York, part of the famed Irish Brigade, and its attack on the Wheatfield at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.
It really drives the lesson about myths in history home.
The Battle of Mayberry This was Season 6, Episode 29 of the old "Andy Griffith Show," originally aired April 4, 1966. Andy Griffith plays Andy Taylor, the folksy sheriff of the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, living with his son, Opie, played by Ron Howard, and his Aunt Bee. In this…
Campfire lecture tonight.
Army Explorers of the West The description for this excellent lecture reads, "Texas Woman's University history professor Cecily Zander discussed the federal government's efforts to explore and control the American west from the early 1800's through the Civil War. Texas Woman's University is…
Bittersweet when we remember how the network treated that excellent show.
1815 Battle of New Orleans Dr. Harry Laver of the US Army Command and General Staff College gave this presentation on the battle of New Orleans. The video's description reads, "Military historian Harry Laver talked about General Andrew Jackson and the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. The Kansas City…
#IYKYK #Picard Hot.
He's "helping" you.
Tea: Consumption, Politics, and Revolution, 1773-1776 The description for this video reads, "Author James Fichter talked about the role and politics of tea leading up to the American Revolution. Revolutionary Spaces in Boston hosted this program."
ICE Risks Overplaying Its Hand. We’ve Seen It Happen Before. A condemnation of the Fugitive Slave Act from 1850 showing a group of four Black men — possibly freedmen — ambushed by a posse of six armed white men in a cornfield. | Library of Congress Who says history isn't relevant? This article…
The Week in Confederate Heritage This week we look at this article about renaming bases. "In 2023, amid a national reckoning on issues of race in America, seven Army bases' names were changed because they honored Confederate leaders. Now, those same bases are reverting back to their original…
History Shows Why Birthright Citizenship is so Important This article from Time Magazine discusses a historical perspective on Birthright Citizenship. "On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump’s first day back in the White House, he issued Executive Order 14160 'Protecting the Meaning and Value of…
Seems to be an idiot as well. You have all the luck.
At Jim Broomall's excellent lecture.
Mahmoud v. Scopes Disagreements over religion in the public schools led to violence in 1844 Philadelphia. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division/public domain This article from the American Historical Association and written by Professor Adam Laats looks at parents opting their…
Why Study History This article by Peter N. Stearns was originally published in the American Historical Association's "Perspectives on History" on January 1, 1998. People live in the present. They plan for and worry about the future. History, however, is the study of the past. Given all the demands…
Gettysburg Day One: Taking Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill This article by Douglas R. Kleinsmith is from Gettysburg Magazine, Issue 53, July 2015, pp. 31-44. The article is an attempt to determine the feasibility of a confederate attack on Cemetery Hill and/or Culp's Hill at the end of July 1. "The…
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s Gettysburg Report The Maine State Archives has a copy of Chamberlain's report from the battle of Gettysburg. You can view it here. Head Quarters 20th Maine Vols. Field near Gettysburg, Pa. July 6th 1863 Lieut, In compliance with orders from Brigade Hd.Qrs. I have the…
The Week in Confederate Heritage Gov. Jeff Landry announced Monday he will name the state’s largest National Guard training site after a little-known early 19th century Louisiana militia member and slaveowner, the father of the Confederate general whose name the facility originally carried. (Photo…
159th Anniversary of the Peach Orchard – Gettysburg Battle Walk with Ranger Matt Atkinson Thanks to "Stuffwriter," we have this video of Ranger Matt Atkinson discussing Barksdale's Brigade in the Peach Orchard on July 2, 1863. The video's description reads, "Ranger Matt Atkinson leads a hike about…
Battle of Gettysburg Q&A This is a terrific question and answer session between Garry Adelman, Doug Douds, Professor Carol Reardon, and Wayne Motts. It was a live program on YouTube. The video's description reads, "Hit our expert panel of historians with all of your Battle of Gettysburg questions.…
Elevating the Few Etching from Harper’s Weekly, “The Fifty-Fifth Massachusetts Colored Regiment Singing John Brown’s March in the Streets of Charleston,” 1865. Wikimedia Commons. This essay by Professor Elizabeth Varon discusses one of the latest bits of dishonest ignorance and idiocy from the…
At the State Museum of Pennsylvania.
The Battle of Little Round Top – Gettysburg Battle Walk with Ranger Chris Gwinn Thanks to "Stuffwriter" for posting this video. Ranger Chris Gwinn leads this battle walk on Little Round Top. Unfortunately, he had to cut it short due to a visitor having a medical problem.
ECW Podcast: The Great Partnership (with Dr. Christian Keller) This is an excellent discussion between host Chris Mackowski and his guest, Dr. Christian Keller about the partnership between Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. It's a podcast from the Emerging Civil War folks.
He's his daddy's boy.
We can call you Cato.
Gonna be a while before I can use my left hand.
As much as I recognize and appreciate the comedic genius of Don Knotts, I would have fired Barney Fife in the first episode.
The Scopes Monkey Trial and the History of Attacks on Educators John T. Scopes, 1925 (Picryl) This is an excellent article that points out how today's Republican Party is forcing this country to regress to a more ignorant time. "Easily overlooked amidst the plethora of prominent Supreme Court…
The Week in Confederate Heritage Troy, Alabama, USA - Sept. 3, 2022: Close up of the inscription on the Confederate Monument (Comrades Confederate Monument) installed in 1908 in Troy's town square. These monuments are highly controversial as they are linked to Jim Crow laws and racism. This week…
John Robinson’s Division on July 1 – Gettysburg 162nd Anniversary Battle Walk w/ Ranger John Hoptak Thanks to "Stuffwriter" for posting this video. This is John Hoptak giving an excellent battle walk on July 1, discussing John Robinson's division and their action on Oak Ridge. The video's…
Chris Gwinn on Little Round Top.
Did the campfire lecture at Gettysburg tonight.
He was kidnapped from Washington, DC, not Sarasota Springs. He was living in Sarasota Springs and was lured to Washington by the promise of employment.
HIST 116: The American Revolution Would you like to see what students at Yale University learn in a course on the American Revolution? You can watch Professor Joanne Freeman's class starting with the first class, which you can see here. There is a link to the next class on the upper right of the…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8hs...
Of Myths and Men This article from Gettysburg Magazine, Issue 53, July 2015, pp. 2-13 ios by George M. George, Daniel R. George, and Anthony Kellon. It's subtitled, "Rethinking the Legend of Little Round Top." "On June 10, 1863," we learn, "Lee consolidated his thoughts in a letter to Confederate…
Berdan’s Sharpshooters with Ranger Matt Atkinson Here's Ranger Matt Atkinson leading a terrific battle walk covering Berdan's Sharpshooters on July 2, 1863. The video's description reads, "Follow Matt Atkinson on his Battle Walk of July 2, 2025, as he traces the path of the Union's Berdan's…
The Week in Confederate Heritage We have this article from Georgia about a lawsuit filed by the white supremacist group known as the Sons of Confederate Veterans, specifically their Georgia Division, which is well known for lying about history. "A Confederate heritage group is suing…
The Civil War That Never Ended Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts. Credit...Library of Congress I came across this article by Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times. "Rather than write a column for this Independence Day weekend edition of the newsletter, I decided to chat with Zaakir Tameez, a…
Thanks to today's Republican Party we have an idiotic wacko who is completely unfit for the office in charge of our health care.
“Conceived in Liberty” In this article, Dr. Christian McWhirter discusses Abraham Lincoln's view of and relation with the Declaration of Independence. "With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence only a year away, there is bound to be plenty of reflection on the document and its…
The Slaveholders’ Rebellion Frederick Douglass delivered this oration on July 4, 1862. FELLOW CITIZENS: Eighty-six years ago the fourth of July was consecrated and distinguished among all the days of the year as the birthday, of American liberty and Independence. The fathers of the Republic…
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? I've previously posted the transcription of this famous address Frederick Douglass delivered in 1852. You can read it here. Five years ago, amid the protests after George Floyd's murder, NPR put together this video of Douglass descendants reading this…
Meade’s and Lee’s General Staffs at Gettysburg This is a terrific discussion on the "Addressing Gettysburg" podcast with Doug Douds about the two staffs at Gettysburg. The video's description reads, "Join us for an insightful episode with Col. USMC (Ret.), PhD, and Netflix star Doug Douds as he…
Professor Leslie Gordon giving a great lecture on cowardice and redemption in the Civil War.
John Nicholas talking about Culp's Hill.
Command & Collapse at Second Manassas: KT Shively & Gary Gallagher This was an excellent discussion between host John Heckman and his guests, Professor Gary Gallagher and Professor Kathryn Shively about the Second Bull Run campaign. The video's description reads, "How did the Second Manassas…
Dan Welch and the Liberty Rifles on the 69th New York on July 2, 1863.
Matt Atkinson on Berdan's Sharpshooters.
And make sure you also have Scott Hartwig's A Killer Angels Companion to tell you what in it is true and what isn't. www.amazon.com/Killer-Angel...
It’s Not Just a Constitutional Crisis in the Trump Era. It’s Constitutional Failure I came across this article from the eminent historian and constitutional scholar, Jack Rakove. "The idea that the United States awaits some dread constitutional crisis has become commonplace. For lawyers, such a…
The name "Alligator Alcatraz" reminds us that America is currently run by adults who are like malicious, giggling children using magnifying glasses to burn ants.
Matt Atkinson, Dan Welch, and Codie Eash on Twilight on Cemetery Hill.
