Sharpshooters
Photo Essays
Photos and illustrations shed light on the roles played by Union and Confederate sharpshooters in the Civil War.
A New Look at America’s Greatest Conflict
Current Issue
The Patriots
Vol. 16, No. 2
How the American Revolution influenced and inspired both the Union and the Confederacy
Recent Posts
A Desperate Fight (2026)
Book Reviews
“A Desperate Fight” shows how the war in Louisiana was sustained by everyday relationships between soldiers, families, and communities.
From Cambridge to Cemetery Ridge
The Front Line
Tracing Civil War armies’ reliance on professional leadership back to the moment George Washington took command of the Continental Army in July 1775.
The Confederate Resurgence of 1864 (2024)
Book Reviews
William Marvel advances a bold argument about a series of oft-overlooked rebel victories in “The Confederate Resurgence of 1864”
A Vocabulary of Treason
The Front Line
A look at the ways in which the northern press invoked Benedict Arnold to portray the actions of their southern opponents during the Civil War.
Featured Posts
Episode 20: Why Did the Civil War Happen?
Civil War Curious
Historian Allen C. Guelzo discusses the various causes behind the outbreak of the American Civil War.
The Patriots
Featured
Civil War historians weigh in on how the American Revolution influenced and inspired both the Union and the Confederacy.
Dressing Billy Yank
Facts and Figures
Shown here are figures associated with the procurement of some of the more common uniform pieces donned by “Billy Yank.”
The Case of the Two Graves
Featured
Unraveling the mystery surrounding the death and final resting place of former Confederate president Jefferson Davis.
The Five Best Books on Civil War Massacres
Best Of Lists
Civil War massacres frequently saw surrendering troops and noncombatants victimized. Here are five of the best books about some of the worst behavior of the Civil War.
“Babylon Is Fallen.”
Featured
How the northern press reported—with shock and awe—on Sherman’s March to the Sea in 1864.