Non-Traditional Research Tools—and Serendipity
By Kurt Luther Photo sleuthing fundamentally pieces together bits of evidence to build a theory. For especially tricky images, these pieces of the puzzle may come from a wide variety
Tag: new york
A Corcoran Legionnaire
The Irish population in the sprawling metropolis of Buffalo, N.Y., and its environs included many personalities. One of its most honorable members, shoemaker Michael G. Stapleton, enjoyed a sterling reputation
A Spaniard at Gettysburg
Late during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, gunners from Battery I of the 5th U.S. Artillery fired shell and canister from their position at the Trostle House
The Battle Against Uniform Uniforms
By Michael J. McAfee The 10th Regiment of the New York State Militia was originally based in New York City. Its officers however, refused to adhere to an effort by
From Bull Run to Hell Canyon
Hell Canyon in Arizona Territory was Apache country, and the scene of several violent and deadly acts in the late 1860s. One such event, a skirmish fought on July 3,
The Uniform That Demoralized a Regiment
This Brooklynite in the 14th Regiment, New York State Militia, is dressed in a newly designed uniform that had unexpected consequences. A brigade inspector reported on Oct. 18, 1858: “This
Authentic Farragut: Previously unknown portraits of the Nation’s first admiral come to light
By Chuck Winans and Ronald S. Coddington Pauline Philip was about 8 years old when she met David Farragut. Tall and broad shouldered despite advancing age and the rigors of
How Fellow Collectors, Field Photos and Muttonchops Identified an Unknown Officer
By Kurt Luther The tremendous facility of the Internet to connect photo sleuths with information sources is often mentioned in this column. The most frequently consulted sources generally come in
Finding My Great-Grandfather
By Mark H. Dunkelman I have often said that you never know when something will turn up. That was confirmed for me in February 2016, when what turned up was