Articles
Published: 9/1/23
Joseph E. Johnston and the Perils of Hindsight
A reassessment of Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston's command decisions.
Published: 9/1/23
Alpheus Williams’ Presentation Sword
Learn the history and auction value of a cased presentation sword given to Union general Alpheus Williams.
Published: 9/1/23
New Threats in Virginia
An update on the latest developments in the ongoing fight to preserve parts of the Wilderness Battlefield from development.
Published: 9/1/23
Doldrums of War
Firsthand quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about the long stretches of boredom that often accompanied army life.
Published: 11/13/25
The Best Civil War Books of 2025
What were the best Civil War history books published in 2025? A panel of historians offers their picks.
8
Published: 11/13/25
Ericsson’s Other Folly
John Ericsson is best remembered for the ironclad USS Monitor, initially dubbed Ericsson's Folly. He proved detractors wrong then, but not all of his designs succeeded.
21
Published: 11/13/25
The Headliners
Who were the Civil War’s biggest celebrities? We asked a group of historians and ranked their top 20 picks in order of popularity.
Published: 11/13/25
The Face of Battle
Editorial thoughts on the cover story of the Winter 2025 issue of The Civil War Monitor.
Published: 11/13/25
Abraham Lincoln’s Ghost
A look at photographer William H. Mumler's purported "spirit image" of Abraham Lincoln alongside his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.
7
Published: 11/13/25
My War Story
Young Virginia soldier Alexander Hunter's remarkable firsthand account of the Confederate victory at Second Manassas
Published: 11/13/25
Marking the Dead
Among the scenes recorded by photographers in Richmond after the Confederate capital fell in 1865 was a poignant view of Oakwood Cemetery.
Published: 11/13/25
The Cavalry Saber
Facts and figures associated with Civil War cavalry sabers, in particular the Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber, the type most commonly used by Union and Confederate soldiers.
Published: 11/13/25
Wartime Zelig
A look at a wartime photo of Union soldier George Warren Dresser, who had a remarkable Civil War military career.
Published: 11/13/25
“Contrabands”
Learn the origin of the term "contraband," a word popularly associated with the masses of enslaved people who sought freedom in Union lines.
Published: 11/13/25
Confusion on the Cumberland
A look at how ineptitude and poor decisions among Confederate leaders led to the downfall of Fort Donelson in 1862.
Published: 11/13/25
Milligan’s Army Camp Kettle
A look at John C. Milligan's patented army mess kettle by which Union soldiers could transport “the necessary utensils for camp use."
Published: 11/13/25
The Fights Go On
Updates on the American Battlefield Trust's recent legal victories to save hallowed ground at the Wilderness and Manassas battlefields.
Published: 11/13/25
Being Wounded
Read the firsthand quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers on the subject of being wounded in battle.
9