Category Archives: Civil War Battles

The Fall of Vicksburg: Turning Point of the Civil War

Vicksburg: The Most Critical Battle of the Civil War? In early July of 1863, the campaign that, more than any other, determined the outcome of the American Civil War was concluded. That campaign was not the battle of Gettysburg, fought … Continue reading

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General George G. Meade: Hero of Gettysburg or Goat?

Why Meade’s Victory at Gettysburg Wasn’t Enough By winning the Battle of Gettysburg, General George Gordon Meade made a monumental contribution to preserving the Union and dooming the Confederacy’s bid for independence. But by only wounding Robert E. Lee’s army … Continue reading

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The Last Man to Die in the American Civil War

Who Is John Jefferson Williams? Although you may never have heard it before, the name John Jefferson Williams has a unique significance in American history. It’s not because he was a great military leader—Williams served as a private in the … Continue reading

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Siege of Vicksburg: The Newspaper Printed on Wallpaper

In the spring and summer of 1863, Union General Ulysses S. Grant laid siege to the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi. During the 47 days of the siege, the city was bombarded every day, and civilians and the rebel soldiers … Continue reading

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How African Americans Lost Their Gettysburg Address

How Gettysburg’s African American Community Fared at the Hands of Robert E. Lee’s Army As spring slipped into summer in the year 1863, the peaceful little town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was home to a well-established African-American community. Indeed, blacks had … Continue reading

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Why Abraham Lincoln Sent the Union Army to Defeat at Bull Run

Abraham Lincoln insisted on fighting a battle the army’s own commander said it was not ready to fight. As I began studying the Civil War, I often wondered why President Abraham Lincoln ordered Union troops to fight the disastrous first … Continue reading

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