The American Civil War was a brutal four-year struggle which brought slavery to an end when Abraham Lincoln’s northern forces defeated the slave-owning southern Confederate states in 1865.
Earlier in the war, the Confederates had waged a successful naval campaign to capture or sink enemy merchant vessels, losses which hurt the northerners financially.
Posted in General
It’s a testament to America’s continuing fascination with the Civil War that on the steamiest day of an already blistering summer, almost 10,000 Americans, some of them clad in old-fashioned wool jackets, turned out in Manassas, Va., recently to re-enact the first battle of the conflict on its 150th anniversary.
Their willingness to risk heat stroke in temperatures almost 30 degrees warmer than on the day of the actual Battle of Bull Run is emblematic of just how, 146 years after the last shot was fired, the Civil War still looms large in the United States — captivating to some, painful to others, and the source of continuing tensions between North and South, black and white.
The U.S Christian Commission’s Civil War Chapel has established a new home at the American Civil War Wax Museum complex on Steinwehr Avenue.
An arson fire destroyed the former chapel on Dec. 3.
The commission now leases the 9,000-square-foot property for chapel services to continue in the USCC tent chapel.
Read More>>
Posted in General, Gettysburg
Tagged Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Vandals have struck the Sherman Civil War Soldier monument multiple times over the past month.
According to Mayor John Patterson, the statue, located at the corner of Park and Church streets was decorated with American flags and fresh flowers to honor the men and women who have fought and died for the country.
“It was my intention to have people notice it, and, at the same time, reflect in thought about all the men and women who gave their all so that we could enjoy the quality of life they fought for,” he said.
Read More>>
A West Virginia man attempting to return the John Brown bell to Harpers Ferry said yesterday that he’s frustrated with the lack of response from a city veterans organization that claims ownership of the bell. He’s also asking anyone with definitive proof that the bell belongs in Marlborough to step forward.
“I’m disappointed,” said Howard Swint, a commercial real estate broker from Charleston, W.Va. “They won’t come to the table to discuss the bell.”
Read More>>
Posted in Artifacts
Tagged WestVirginia
Possible funding cuts are on the way to the Valley’s battlefields. The new federal budget slashes money to Foundations across the country, like the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Association.
While the Foundation is less dependent on federal funding than they were before, cuts by as much as 50% will have some consequences. Their main goal is to find and preserve battlefields that are rich in history and make sure it stays undeveloped. Now, those efforts may be affected.
Read More>>
The 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment was the first black military unit in the country, organized even before it was legal to have former slaves and freemen join the Union effort. Organized by ardent abolitionist Brig. Gen. James Lane, the 1st Kansas scored a victory at the Battle of Island Mound on Oct. 29, 1862 — the first time in the Civil War that a black unit fought in combat.
Read More>>
A rash of thefts from Sunnyside Cemetery left a major Civil War Memorial bare.
Between Feb. 25 and March 26, there were four reported incidents of theft at the Sunnyside Cemetery, 1095 E. Willow St., which included copper backflow valves and two bronze plaques that adorned a Civil War Memorial.
“The detective does believe the plaques could have been stolen for money,” said Lisa Massacani, LBPD public information officer. “As of now, we don’t have any updates on the case or suspect information. Some of the older cemeteries appear to be targets with their older plaques.”
Posted in Crime
Tagged California
