Future U.S. Presidents Who Served in the Army in the Civil War
In the final third of the 19th century, Civil War service was almost a prerequisite for those aspiring to be President of the United States. Seven of the next eight men who served as...
Iron Brigader Blog
Captain Eugene Carr’s Report on the Battle of Wilson’s Creek
On August 10th, 1861, a Union Army force of 5400 men under the command of Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon attacked a much larger Confederate army of approximately 12,000 at a location along a stream...
The Shirley House Survived the Siege of Vicksburg Despite Its Location on the Battlefield
Standing next to the Illinois Memorial in Vicksburg National Military Park is the Shirley House, a white frame structure that is the only surviving wartime structure within the park boundaries (though numerous antebellum buildings...
William T. Sherman’s Report on His Brigade’s Action at the First Battle of Bull Run
William T. Sherman is best known as a Union general in the western theatre of the Civil War, especially for his Atlanta Campaign and March to the Sea. But before he was promoted to...
General Albion P. Howe’s Report on the Battle of Malvern Hill
The Battle of Malvern Hill was the last of the Seven Days battles of Major General George McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign. In May of 1862, McClellan was closing in on Richmond, Virginia, but his advance...
Old Abe the War Eagle Has A Beer Named After Him
Old Abe the War Eagle was a Bald Eagle that was the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War. Named in honor of President Lincoln, Old Abe went into battle with...
Captain Louis Kelly’s Report on the 15th Illinois Infantry at the Battle of Shiloh
The 15th Illinois Infantry was organized shortly after the Civil War began, and was mustered into service in May of 1861. The regiment spent the second half of the year at various points in...
General John Buford’s Report on His Cavalry’s Action at Gettysburg
At the outset of the Civil War, Confederate cavalry was generally superior to Union cavalry in terms of both commanders and tactics. As the war proceeded, better Union commanders emerged and the tactics and...