The Front Line
Our communal blog featuring the latest in Civil War news, research, analysis, and events from a network of historians and authors
Published: 9/27/19
A Hair-Raising Incident at Shiloh
Read the amusing tale of a Confederate officer who lost his "hair" during the Battle of Shiloh.
Published: 9/23/19
A Triple Bereavement at Cairo
Learn about the valuable work of 40-year-old Civil War nurse Mary Livermore in a scene from her memoir of the conflict.
Published: 9/20/19
Rock of Chickamauga
A look at the origins of Union major general George H. Thomas' well-earned sobriquet "Rock of Chickamauga."
Published: 8/25/19
Extra Voices: Clara Barton, The Angel of the Battlefield
Read first person quotes by and about famed Civil War nurse Clara Barton.
Published: 8/14/19
Mutiny in the Army
Read a firsthand account of the mutiny among disgruntled soldiers in the 79th New York Infantry in the summer of 1861.
Published: 7/26/19
“My Little ‘Rebel’ Heart Was on Fire”
Read an excerpt from the autobiography of teenaged Confederate spy Belle Boyd regarding a traumatic event that led her into this role.
Published: 7/26/19
History as Imagination
Harriet Tubman helped free hundreds of slaves during the Combahee River Raid, an event documented in "The Tubman Command" by Elizabeth Cobbs.
Published: 6/14/19
Extra Dossier: J.E.B. Stuart
Historians weigh in on Confederate cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart's best and worst qualities as a leader.
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Published: 6/4/19
The Best Civil War Movies of All Time
Discover the ultimate list of the best Civil War movies of all time. From epic classics to modern gems, these films bring history to life.
Published: 5/17/19
A Bright Future
Ronald S. Coddington Collection Captain Thomas Bartlett Griffith This Union officer sporting stylish spectacles with tinted glass and a second pair of lenses is Captain Thomas Bartlett Griffith, a prosperous...
Published: 4/29/19
Emerging Scholars Speakers
Learn about the Emerging Scholars speakers at The American Civil War Museum and their significant contributions to Civil War history.
Published: 3/22/19
Map Quest
After a restoration project spearheaded by Scott Roland, the fabled electric Gettysburg map now resides in Hanover, Pennsylvania.
Published: 3/4/19
Extra Voices: Avid Readers
Read more firsthand quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers who had a deep love of reading.
Published: 2/18/19
Announcing Emerging Scholars Program Speakers
Join the American Civil War Museum to hear from Emerging Scholars program speakers showcasing fresh Civil War insights.
Published: 2/15/19
A Menu of Historic Proportions
Discover the menu at Lincoln's inaugural ball and how it reflected the era's dining trends during a pivotal moment in history.
Published: 12/31/18
New Year’s Eve in Camp
Read the poignant reflections of Union officer William Thompson Lusk in a letter to his sister written on New Year's Eve 1862.
Published: 12/17/18
Emancipation on Stage
Megan Kate Nelson discusses the play Ben Butler by playwright Richard Strand and staged by Portland Stage.
Published: 12/9/18
The Best Civil War Books of 2018
Civil War historians pick their two favorite books published in 2018, and name a title or two they’re looking forward to seeing in print.