Docendo Discimus
The Confederate Army of Manhattan was a covert operation undertaken by a small group of Southern operatives during the American Civil War. Their most infamous act occurred on November 25, 1864, in New York City, a plot orchestrated by Jacob Thompson, a former U.S. Congressman. The operatives, infiltrating Union territory from Canada, attempted to burn... Continue Reading →
The Nullification Crisis of 1832 was a significant confrontation between the state of South Carolina and the federal government of the United States. At the heart of this conflict were two key issues: states' rights and federal authority, set against the backdrop of contentious tariff laws. The crisis began in earnest with the passage of... Continue Reading →
Last summer, I had a rare opportunity to take my son to Gettysburg. We had limited time, so walked a part of the battle field (The Angle), and then we drove by the cemetery, where Lincoln had given his address. We talked about the meaning, and we talked about the sacrifices, we talked about our... Continue Reading →
In the Spring of 1998, I had the opportunity to visit Andersonville, GA. It was, simply put, one of the most moving experiences of my life. Intellectually I understand that springtime in Georgia is a very fragrant time. Add in the recent flooding (which was why I was in the area, helping with the recovery... Continue Reading →
The Trent Affair was a significant diplomatic incident during the American Civil War that nearly provoked a war between the United States and Great Britain. The incident took place against the backdrop of a complex political situation where the United States was embroiled in a bitter civil war, with the Confederate States of America (CSA)... Continue Reading →
Benjamin Franklin Butler was born on November 5, 1818, in Deerfield, New Hampshire. His early life was marked by hardship; his father passed away when he was an infant, leaving the family in dire financial straits. Nevertheless, Butler showed promise from a young age. He went on to graduate from Waterville College in Maine in... Continue Reading →
The Civil War, a brutal and formative chapter in America's history, bore witness to countless skirmishes, campaigns, and major battles. Amidst the better-known engagements, the Corinth Campaign and the subsequent Battle of Corinth in October 1862 present a tale of tactics, tenacity, and the ever-constant toil for strategic advantage. As spring blossomed in 1862, Union... Continue Reading →
The Battle of South Mountain, fought on September 14, 1862, was a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. This engagement occurred during the Maryland Campaign, a significant theater in the war, and marked a turning point in the conflict. In this blog post, we will delve into the background of the Maryland Campaign, the... Continue Reading →
The Battle of Cheat Mountain, fought on September 9, 1861, was a significant early engagement in the American Civil War, taking place in present-day West Virginia. It pitted Union forces, led by General George B. McClellan, against Confederate troops commanded by Brigadier General Robert E. Lee. This battle was part of the larger Western Virginia... Continue Reading →
August 30, 1862: The Climactic Third Day of the Second Battle of Bull Run The third day of the Second Battle of Bull Run (or Second Manassas) saw some of the most intense and decisive fighting of the entire engagement. After the inconclusive and bloody actions of the preceding days, both Confederate and Union forces... Continue Reading →
The Second Battle of Bull Run (or Second Manassas) was a critical confrontation during the American Civil War, and the events of 29th August 1862, the second day of the battle, played a pivotal role in shaping the battle's outcome. On the morning of the 29th, Union forces under Major General John Pope felt confident.... Continue Reading →
As the summer of 1862 heated up, so too did the tensions and military maneuvers of the American Civil War. The campaign leading up to the Second Battle of Bull Run, also known as the Second Battle of Manassas, was a series of complex maneuvers and skirmishes that would result in one of the war's... Continue Reading →
On August 17, 1864, amidst the sprawling conflict of the American Civil War, a lesser-known but significant battle unfolded in the small town of Gainesville, Florida. Dubbed the Battle of Gainesville, this confrontation may not have had the vast scale of Gettysburg or Antietam, but its ramifications were deeply felt in the region. 1864 was... Continue Reading →
The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, took place on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, early in the American Civil War. It was one of the first major battles fought in the Western Theater of the war. The battle was fought between Union forces commanded by Brigadier General... Continue Reading →
The Battle of Cedar Mountain, fought on August 9, 1862, during the American Civil War, was a significant engagement in Northern Virginia between Confederate forces commanded by General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and Union forces led by Major General Nathaniel Banks. This battle marked a clash between two skilled commanders and provided insights into the evolving... Continue Reading →
As a qualified submariner myself, I have a long fascination with the CSS Hunley. The innovation that the boat displayed - and that is still being discovered - is absolutely amazing. After killing it's crew time and again, one has to wonder just how the last crew was convinced to get aboard? It's like the... Continue Reading →
The Battle of Mobile Bay took place on August 5, 1864, during the American Civil War and was a significant naval engagement between the Union Navy, led by Rear Admiral David G. Farragut, and the Confederate forces under Admiral Franklin Buchanan. Mobile Bay, located in Alabama, was a strategically important port city for the Confederacy.... Continue Reading →
One hundred years to the day before I was born, a Virginian who stayed loyal to the Union - much like my own Arkansas Great-grandfather - stood firm on a small hill in northwestern Georgia. The Union lost the battle, retreating to Chattanooga, but his actions in refusing to retreat saved the Union Army from... Continue Reading →
In May of 1987, I was able to visit Baltimore. I went to see the Seattle Mariners play the Orioles at old War Memorial Stadium. I got to Baltimore very early, so I spent the early afternoon in the inner harbor visiting the USS Torsk (SS-423). Across the way a bit was this old sailing... Continue Reading →
Morgan's Raid, also known as the Calico Raid or the Great Raid of 1863, was a diversionary incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Union states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia during the American Civil War. The raid took place from June 11 to July 26, 1863. It is named for the commander of... Continue Reading →
Dave Does History 