“Pass Those Colors Over to Me”
There came a moment during the fight at Five Forks when federal Sgt. Robert Shipley ran across a rebel color bearer from the 9th Virginia Infantry. The Confederate, with banner
Tag: battle
Wed by the “Famous Fighting Methodist Preacher”
One spring day in 1864, John W. Widney and Mary A. Fitzwater Brown were married in Orange, Ohio. The newlyweds were accompanied by John’s mother, Eliza, and Mary’s brother, John.
Gettysburg Album: Portraits of Union and Confederate soldiers in the Gettysburg Campaign
So Close, So Far The roughly 400-strong 11th Mississippi Infantry participated in Pickett’s Charge. The assault cost the regiment about half its number. Among the survivors was Pvt. John F.
Silver for The Superb: Hometown tribute to a national hero
By Matt Hagans The favorite son of Norristown arrived home on a stretcher laid across the backs of seats inside a railcar. A guard of veterans lifted the stretcher bearing
“You Were Making History”: Faces of Maine men who fought at Gettysburg
By Tom Huntington Maine veterans returned to Pennsylvania in October 1889, 26 years after they had fought at Gettysburg with the Army of the Potomac. For three days in July
June’s Hero, the Gallant Tompkins
During the first months of the Civil War, the Union urgently needed heroes. Fortunately for the patriotic Northern press, it did not have to look too far to find them.
Vermont Faces in The Wilderness
Had a Wrestling Match Decided the Battle… Odds are George Washington Flagg of the 2nd Infantry would have won it for the federals. The 6-foot temperance man and sergeant was
Maelstrom in The Wilderness: The deadliest day in Vermont history
By John Gibson Early 1864 found the Army of the Potomac in winter quarters at Brandy Station, Va. As the season transitioned to spring, dramatic changes had reshaped the army.
The Quartermaster Who Helped Save a Line
During the final days of the war in Virginia, Maj. Horatio Collins King stepped away from his quartermaster duties to help his comrades on the front lines. He did not
The Virtuous Knight of the Orphan Brigade: Kentucky’s Lafayette Hewitt
By Brian Boeve and Rusty Hicks Some men were made for high rank, destined for renown as commanders who basked in glory in momentous battles. Others refrained from senior leadership,
