The Front Line
Our communal blog featuring the latest in Civil War news, research, analysis, and events from a network of historians
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....
Published: 2/16/12
After the Battle
Our celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Fort Donelson concludes with this Harper’s Weekly image. Seeking for the Wounded, by Torch-Light, After the Battle Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly,...
Published: 2/15/12
Voice from the Past: “My Valentine to the Best Woman in the World”
Union Mills, Va., February 14th, 1863. Dear Wife: It has this minute struck me that this is St. Valentine’s day and this will be my valentine to ‘the best woman...
Published: 2/15/12
Voice from the Past: “Absolute Naval Supremacy”
We continue our Fort Donelson sesquicentennial celebration with the following diary entry by William Howard Russell, December, 1861: On my return to New York, at the end of February, the...
Published: 2/14/12
Voice from the Past: Sending Valentines
Another Valentine’s Day 1862 “Voice from the Past” to mark the holiday. Friday, 14th — This is Valentine’s Day and some of the boys are having a great time sending...
Published: 2/14/12
Voice from the Past: “To Be Your Valentine”
Happy Valentine’s Day from The Civil War Monitor. We hope you enjoy this letter from Valentine’s Day, 1862. Good morrow, ‘t is St. Valentine’s day All in the morning betime....
Published: 2/14/12
Voice from the Past: “A Desperate Fight at Fort Donelson”
Good morning! Today’s Fort Donelson sesquicentennial post comes from a letter William Penn Lyon wrote to Adelia Caroline Duncotabe Lyon on February 17, 1862: Mound City, Monday noon, Feb. 17,...
Published: 2/13/12
Voice from the Past: “St. Valentine’s Day, I believe”
An early Valentine’s greeting from all of us at The Civil War Monitor. To celebrate, all this week, “The Front Line” blog will be publishing a “Voices from the Past”...
Published: 2/13/12
Voice from the Past: “The Startling Intelligence from Fort Donelson”
Good morning! We have another contribution to our Fort Donelson sesquicentennial series. This excerpt is from Alfred Lewis Castleman’s diary: What a week of news, opening on us with intelligence...