Let's return from hiatus and get back to the Civil War with a visit to one of my "must see" historic sites - Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, MD. I touched on the cemetery briefly in one of my earlier posts about Frederick's cemeteries. Chartered in 1854 the cemetery was Frederick's premier "garden cemetery" and anyone who's anyone … Continue reading “Shot Through the Head and Seriously Wounded”/Field Dispatch: Mt Olivet Cemetery
Moving forward while still looking backwards
I want to take a moment to make an apology to any regular readers out there. Recently the blog has taken a back seat to both work and family life. Funny how a new job and a new baby will do that to you! As much as I want to get out there and focus … Continue reading Moving forward while still looking backwards
The Desertion of Private Foskey
Today we're returning to the hills of wild and wonderful West Virginia to take a very personal look at an issue that has plagued armies since the dawn of time - desertion. It was a constant drain on manpower for both armies during the Civil War. Most studies show that somewhere in the ballpark of 10 percent … Continue reading The Desertion of Private Foskey
Field Dispatch: Oldtown, MD
Last time, we took a look at the role of ironclad railroad cars in the war along the Potomac, with a special focus on two actions involving Captain Petrie of the 2nd PHB Infantry. Both of those actions took place near Oldtown, Maryland - a small village along the upper Potomac in Allegany County. This … Continue reading Field Dispatch: Oldtown, MD
Raiders, Railroads, and Captain Petrie’s “Land Monitors”
The regiments of the Potomac Home Brigade were raised with the primary goal of protecting the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from maurauding rebel raiders. This was an essential mission given the importance of the B&O to the Union war effort. It was a vital artery for carrying men and materiel between the east coast and the … Continue reading Raiders, Railroads, and Captain Petrie’s “Land Monitors”
“Owing to the very bitter feeling…between the officers and men”
Today we'll return to Cumberland to take a quick look at an incident involving the 2nd PHB Infantry early in 1863. During this time the entire 8th Army Corps - the Middle Department that defended Maryland and parts of West Virginia - was undergoing a reorganization. The defenses along the Upper Potomac were under the command of … Continue reading “Owing to the very bitter feeling…between the officers and men”
“Altogether filthy in the extreme”
Civil War hospitals tend to conjure up a particularly hellish image in the minds of most people. Piles of amputated limbs, screaming men, blood everywhere. A perfect charnel house. There is, of course, some truth to this mental image. Military hospitals have been scenes of unimaginable suffering since the dawn of warfare and the Civil … Continue reading “Altogether filthy in the extreme”
