The Front Line
Our communal blog featuring the latest in Civil War news, research, analysis, and events from a network of historians
Published: 3/8/12
Voice from the Past: “Great God What a Scene is Presented”
Good Afternoon! We conclude our sesquicentennial tribute of the Battle of Pea Ridge with another Voice from the Past. Good Afternoon! We conclude our sesquicentennial tribute of the Battle of...
Published: 3/8/12
The Women Who Went to the Field
In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating the work and poetry of famed Civil War nurse Clara Barton. Born Clarissa Harlowe Barton, Barton was a true patriot and...
Published: 3/8/12
Voice from the Past: “Nothing to Remind me of The Treacherous Days in March of ’62”
Good Morning! The sesquicentennial of the Battle of Pea Ridge continues today. As such, we bring you a special Voice from the Past: Asa Payne’s—of Company E, 3rd Missouri Infantry,...
Published: 3/8/12
Do You Know These Men?
They died in the sinking of U.S.S. Monitor off Cape Hatteras on December 31, 1862. Their remains were found in the turret of that ship, which was recovered from the...
Published: 3/6/12
The Girl Soldiers of Nancy Harts Militia
Good morning! Today’s Women’s History Month themed post honors Nancy Harts militia—an oft-ignored group of brave women from LaGrange, Georgia. Formed early in the war, Nancy Harts militia was actually...
Published: 3/5/12
A Poetic Tribute to Civil War Women
Good Morning! Our Women’s History Month celebration continues with Mary E. Nealy’s 1864 poem written for the Indiana State Sanitary Fair: And our noble women, the soldier cries, As he...
Published: 3/2/12
“One Side of the War is Theirs” – The U.S. Sanitary Commission
Founded on June 18, 1861 via federal legislation, the United States Sanitary Commission (USSC) was a private relief agency that supported sick and wounded soldiers of the U.S. Army during...
Published: 3/1/12
Honoring Civil War Women for Women’s History Month
Today marks the first day of Women’s History Month. To celebrate, The Front Line will have a month-long series of women’s history posts including images, quotes, writings, and biographies. We...
Published: 2/28/12
Mustered Out…The U.S. Colored Troops
“Mustered Out,” Little Rock, Arkansas, April 20, 1865 by Alfred R. Waud. Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, May 19, 1866 courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Published: 2/28/12
Mustering Out Continued…General Orders No. 1
COMRADES: The hour is at hand when we must separate forever, and nothing can take from us the pride we feel, when we look upon the history of the ‘First...
Published: 2/27/12
Recruiting Black Soldiers – The Fight for Equal Rights
After President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, the Union army began recruiting African American soldiers. The first authorized black regiments came from Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Tennessee. While initially...
Published: 2/24/12
A Request from the 36 U.S. Colored Regiment
Our Black History Month celebration contines with this letter written by the 36th U.S. Colored Regiment to the commissioner of the Freedman’s Bureau. Stationed near Petersburg, VA at the time,...
Published: 2/23/12
Black Soldiers and the Bloody Battle of Milliken’s Bend
Part of the Vicksburg Campaign, the Battle at Milliken’s Bend occured on June 7, 1863 and included hand-to-hand combat between Confederate troops and a newly formed “African Brigade.” The following...
Published: 2/21/12
Quarters for African American Soldiers
Our Black History Month Celebration continues with this Harper’s Weekly depiction of “Negro Quarters, Army of the James.” Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, February 25, 1865.
Published: 2/20/12
Rest in Peace Willie Lincoln
“My poor boy, he was too good for this earth. God has called him home. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him...
Published: 2/20/12
Special Field Orders No. 15
Our Black History Month celebration continues with General Willaim Tecumseh Sherman’s Special Field Orders No. 15. Issued January 16, 1865, Sherman’s orders confiscated approximately 400,000 acres of Confederate coastal property,...
Published: 2/17/12
Voice from the Past: “It Pleased Me Much More Than One Of Those Sentimental Things”
Our Valentine-themed series is coming to a close. We hope you have enjoyed reading some of these love letters from February 1862. Have a great weekend! Camp Porter, Virginia, Tuesday,...
Published: 2/16/12
Voice from the Past: “Ask Us to Marry Him”
Alexandria, February, 1863. I must tell you about a little excursion we made on the 14th. Dr. S. gave us leave (Mrs. B. and me) to go down to Mt....