Overworked, Overwhelmed and Unappreciated
Henry Meigs Meade had his hands full in 1864. The 24-year-old Navy paymaster was designated as the lone disbursing officer for all of the federal vessels in the regional fleet
Tag: navy
History Revealed, One Photo at a Time
Two individuals that I’ve met in recent months make important contributions to the visual record of early American military portrait photography in this issue. Both are unique to this publication
The Love of His Life: Capt. John Faunce and the Harriet Lane
By Ronald S. Coddington A lone steamer rigged with brigantine sails and bristling with armaments sped on a collision course towards Charleston harbor during the evening of April 11, 1861.
On the Eve of War: Previously Unknown Portraits of Jefferson and Varina Davis Come to Light
By John O’Brien In Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21, 1861, Jefferson Davis stood on the floor of the U.S. Senate and bid farewell to his colleagues. Two weeks earlier, his
From the “Star” to the “Shenandoah”
By Ronald S. Coddington The sturdy paddle wheels of the Star of the West beat rhythmically against the waters of the Atlantic, as she steamed into Charleston Harbor. Packed with
Navy Men Rally Around the Stars and Stripes
The patriotic navy officer, left, holds a flag that appears at first glance to be a studio prop. But the presence of a second view of the same man,